Overview
The Theatre and Performing Arts program:
- Utilizes a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum dedicated to empowering the citizen artist.
- Focuses on undergraduate experiences, high impact learning, interdisciplinary and cross-community collaboration, and exceptional professional preparation and training.
- Engages in collaborative, innovative practices in both classroom and production settings.
- Empowers students to take an active role in an interconnected system of artistic community engagement and creative momentum.
- Is dedicated to individualized student-centered programming that is ambitious, relevant, and rigorous.
ISU Theatre impacts hundreds of students from majors throughout the university in our classes, productions and studios. Our students are compassionate, enthusiastic, aware, ambitious, dependable, dedicated, disciplined and generous. The Theatre and Performing Arts program offers a wide variety of courses that support the student’s individual interests and specialization. Our curriculum is flexible, interdisciplinary and dedicated to fostering the citizen artist.
The major in performing arts offers the undergraduate student a cross-disciplinary core including 26 credits in three categories: Theatre, Music and Dance. Students also select a 21-24 credit emphasis in one or more of the following areas of focus:
- Acting/Directing
- Dance
- Musical Theatre
- Theatre Studies
- Theatrical Design and Technology
Additional professional development occurs within two required professional internships in which students can practice the skills and passions developed throughout their individualized plans of study. Preparation for these internships include various impactful experiences in theatre and the performing arts here at Iowa State. This work is vital for students to gain a practical understanding of the rigors of the field.
ISU Theatre and Performing Arts focuses solely on the undergraduate student artist, offering students many opportunities to participate in production experiences throughout the academic year. Students implement the theories and principles explored in the classroom with experiential learning though public performances. These productions vary in scope, taking place in the 435-seat proscenium space at Fisher Theatre as well as in other intimate and “found” venues both on and off campus. Performing arts majors must maintain a 2.0 GPA to participate in production activities. Scholarships and employment opportunities are available to both incoming and current students on a yearly basis. All areas of ISU Theatre and Performing Arts, including classes and productions, are open to all students regardless of major. Visit here to learn about scholarships and all of the ways to get involved with Theatre and the Performing Arts at ISU.
In addition to building a solid foundation in theatre, Performing Arts graduates enter the world as empathetic citizen artists prepared to engage in civic life and meet the challenges of the work force or graduate school with strong skills in leadership, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students should be able to:
- Recognize the ways in which theatre and performing arts can reflect and change communities and culture.
- Apply collaboration principles to the creation of performing arts.
- Analyze dramatic literature and performances from dramaturgical, performative, sensory, aesthetic, and community perspectives.
- Organize and integrate resources - including human (self and others), technology, and systems - to solve abstract and practical problems.
- Compare and critique performing arts theory, practice, literature, design, performance, and one's own process and work within cultural and historical contexts.
Bachelor of Arts - Performing Arts Major (Perf)
All performing arts majors must complete both the performing arts core and at least one of the emphases listed below. A Minimum GPA of 2.00 in both the major core and the chosen emphasis is required to graduate.
As a major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, students must meet LAS College and university-wide degree requirements.
The Core for the Performing Arts Major (25-26 credits)
| MUSIC 102 | Introduction to Music Listening | 3 |
| or THTRE 106 | Introduction to the Performing Arts | |
| or THTRE 110 | Theatre and Society | |
| MUSIC 101 | Fundamentals of Music | 2 |
| THTRE 250 | Technical Theatre Practicum | 2 |
| THTRE 251 | Acting Foundations | 3 |
| THTRE 255 | Introduction to Theatrical Production | 4 |
| THTRE 263 | Script Analysis | 3 |
| PERF 105 | Performing Arts Seminar (six semesters) | R |
| PERF 310 | Performing Arts Internship (2 professional internships required) | R |
| or THTRE 499 | Theatre Internship | |
| PERF 401 | Performing Arts Capstone Seminar | 2 |
| Choose six credits of DANCE from the following: | 6 | |
| Modern Dance I | ||
| Ballet I | ||
| Jazz I | ||
| Tap Dance I | ||
| Ballroom Dance I | ||
| Fundamentals and Methods of Social and World Dance | ||
| Modern Dance Composition | ||
| Modern Dance II | ||
| Modern Dance III | ||
| Ballet II | ||
| Ballet III | ||
| Jazz II | ||
| Yoga Movement | ||
| Dance Appreciation | ||
| Sound and Movement | ||
| History and Philosophy of Dance | ||
| Advanced Studies in Dance | ||
| Teaching Children's Dance | ||
| Methods of Teaching Dance | ||
| Teaching Dance Technique and Composition | ||
Emphasis in Acting/Directing (22 Credits)
| MUSIC 118A | Applied Music: Non-majors: Voice (One Semester) | 1 |
| THTRE 151 | Actor's Voice and Movement | 3 |
| THTRE 365 | Theatrical Design Principles | 3 |
| THTRE 455 | Directing for the Stage | 3 |
| THTRE 465 | Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century | 3 |
| THTRE 466 | Theatre History: 19th Century to Present | 3 |
| Choose 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Acting: Contemporary Scene Study | ||
| Acting: Period Styles | ||
| Creative Writing: Playwriting | ||
| Advanced Directing | ||
| Seminar | ||
| Seminar: Acting Techniques | ||
| Seminar: Acting Styles | ||
| Seminar: Arts Management | ||
Emphasis in Theatrical Design and Technology (21 credits)
| THTRE 365 | Theatrical Design Principles | 3 |
| THTRE 455 | Directing for the Stage | 3 |
| THTRE 465 | Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century | 3 |
| THTRE 466 | Theatre History: 19th Century to Present | 3 |
| Choose 9 Credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Stagecraft | ||
| Stage Makeup | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Costume Design | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Scenic Design | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Lighting Design | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Sound Design | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Stagecraft | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Costume Draping and Patterning | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Advanced Makeup | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Stage Management | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Technical Direction | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Arts Management | ||
| Seminar | ||
| Seminar: Design and Technical Theatre | ||
| Seminar: Arts Management | ||
Emphasis in Musical Theatre (22 credits)
| MUSIC 118A | Applied Music: Non-majors: Voice (4 semesters) | 4 |
| THTRE 365 | Theatrical Design Principles | 3 |
| THTRE 354 | Musical Theatre History and Performance | 3 |
| THTRE 355 | Musical Theatre Auditions and Performance | 3 |
| THTRE 465 | Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century | 3 |
| or THTRE 466 | Theatre History: 19th Century to Present | |
| Choose 6 credits from the following: | ||
| Actor's Voice and Movement | ||
| Acting: Contemporary Scene Study | ||
| Acting: Period Styles | ||
| Directing for the Stage | ||
| Advanced Directing | ||
| Seminar | ||
| Seminar: Musical Theatre | ||
| Seminar: Acting Techniques | ||
| Seminar: Acting Styles | ||
| Seminar: Arts Management | ||
Emphasis in Dance (21 credits)
| DANCE 360 | History and Philosophy of Dance | 3 |
| 12 Credits of DANCE in addition to DANCE 360 and the six taken in the PERF core. At least 6 credits must be 300+. | 12 | |
| 6 credits of 300+ credits in THEATRE. | 6 | |
Emphasis in Theatre Studies (21 credits)
| THTRE 465 | Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century | 3 |
| THTRE 466 | Theatre History: 19th Century to Present | 3 |
| Choose 15 Credits from the following: | 15 | |
| Actor's Voice and Movement | ||
| Creative Writing: Playwriting | ||
| Acting: Contemporary Scene Study | ||
| Musical Theatre History and Performance | ||
| Musical Theatre Auditions and Performance | ||
| Stage Makeup | ||
| Stagecraft | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Costume Design | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Scenic Design | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Lighting Design | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Sound Design | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Stagecraft | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Costume Draping and Patterning | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Advanced Makeup | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Stage Management | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Technical Direction | ||
| Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Arts Management | ||
| Acting: Period Styles | ||
| Directing for the Stage | ||
| Advanced Directing | ||
| Seminar | ||
| Seminar: Musical Theatre | ||
| Seminar: Acting Techniques | ||
| Seminar: Acting Styles | ||
| Seminar: Design and Technical Theatre | ||
| Seminar: Arts Management | ||
Suggested Four year plans for Performing Arts majors
Listed below are example pathways for completing the Performing Arts major. Students will work with their academic adviser to navigate their pathway through the curriculum requirements.
Performing Arts B.A. - Emphasis in Acting/Directing
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| THTRE 251 | 3 | PERF 105 | R | ||
| THTRE 255 | 4 | THTRE 151 | 3 | ||
| PERF 105 | R | THTRE 263 | 3 | ||
| THTRE 106 | 3 | THTRE 250 | 1 | ||
| ENGL 150 | 3 | MUSIC 101 | 2 | ||
| LIB 160 | 1 | ENGL 250 | 3 | ||
| Dance Elective | 1 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| Dance Elective | 1 | ||||
| 15 | 16 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| PERF 105 | R | PERF 105 | R | PERF 310 | R |
| MUSIC 118A | 1 | THTRE 351 (or other 300+ Acting class) | 3 | ||
| THTRE 250 | 1 | Dance Class | 1 | ||
| THTRE 365 | 3 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| Dance Class | 1 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | ||||
| 15 | 16 | 0 | |||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| PERF 105 | R | PERF 105 | R | PERF 310 | R |
| THTRE 455 | 3 | THTRE 466 | 3 | ||
| THTRE 465 | 3 | Dance Class Elective | 1 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| Dance Elective | 1 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | 0 | |||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| PERF 401 | 2 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| THTRE 451 (or other 300+ acting/directing course) | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | ||||
| 14 | 12 | ||||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||||
Performing Arts - B.A. - Emphasis in Theatrical Design/Technology
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| PERF 105 | R | PERF 105 | R | ||
| THTRE 251 | 3 | THTRE 263 | 3 | ||
| THTRE 255 | 4 | ENGL 250 | 3 | ||
| LIB 160 | 1 | MUSIC 101 | 2 | ||
| THTRE 106 | 3 | THTRE 250 | 1 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| ENGL 150 | 3 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| PERF 105 | R | PERF 105 | R | PERF 310 | R |
| THTRE 365 | 3 | DANCE 360 | 3 | ||
| DANCE 270 (Or other Dance course) | 3 | THTRE 393A (or other 300+ THTRE Design/Tech course) | 3 | ||
| THTRE 250 | 1 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | Genearl Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | ||||
| 16 | 15 | 0 | |||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| PERF 105 | R | PERF 105 | R | PERF 310 | R |
| THTRE 455 | 3 | THTRE 393B (Or other 300+ THTRE Design/Tech Class) | 3 | ||
| THTRE 465 | 3 | THTRE 393 | 3 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | 0 | |||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| PERF 401 | 2 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||||
| Total Credits: 122 | |||||
Performing Arts - B.A. - Emphasis in Musical Theatre
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| THTRE 251 | 3 | PERF 105 | R | ||
| THTRE 255 | 4 | THTRE 263 | 3 | ||
| PERF 105 | R | THTRE 250 | 1 | ||
| THTRE 106 | 3 | MUSIC 118A | 1 | ||
| ENGL 150 | 3 | MUSIC 101 | 2 | ||
| LIB 160 | 1 | ENGL 250 | 3 | ||
| MUSIC 118A | 1 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| Dance Elective | 1 | Dance Elective | 1 | ||
| THTRE 151 (or other Acting/Directing course) | 3 | ||||
| 16 | 17 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| PERF 105 | R | PERF 105 | R | PERF 310 | R |
| 300+ Elective | 3 | Dance Class | 1 | ||
| THTRE 250 | 1 | THTRE 355 | 3 | ||
| Dance Class | 1 | MUSIC 118A | 1 | ||
| THTRE 354 | 3 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| MUSIC 118A | 1 | ||||
| 15 | 14 | 0 | |||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| PERF 105 | R | PERF 105 | R | PERF 310 | R |
| THTRE 455 (or other 300+ Acting/Directing Course) | 3 | Dance Class Elective | 1 | ||
| THTRE 365 | 3 | THTRE 351 (Or other 300+ THTRE Acting/Directing Course) | 3 | ||
| THTRE 465 | 3 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| Dance Elective | 1 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | 0 | |||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| PERF 401 | 2 | General Education Requirement | 3 | ||
| THTRE 451 (or other 300+ acting/directing course) | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| General Education Requirement | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | 300+ Elective | 3 | ||
| 300+ Elective | 3 | ||||
| 14 | 12 | ||||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||||
Please see the Department advisors for more information about suggested Four Year Plans for the Emphases in Dance and Theatre Studies. Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. Diversity and a three-credit course in International Perspectives. Consult the catalogue for a list of approved courses. Discuss with your advisor how these two courses can be applied to your graduation plan.
Performing Arts Minor
To complete the minor in Performing Arts, students must take at least 15 credits of either Theatre or Performing Arts courses. Six credits must be 300 level or higher. THTRE 224, 250, 290, 301, 469, 490, and 499 do not count toward the Performing Arts minor. The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college or university requirement. The following classes are required:
| PERF 105 | Performing Arts Seminar (3 semesters) | R |
| THTRE 255 | Introduction to Theatrical Production | 4 |
| THTRE 263 | Script Analysis | 3 |