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Theatre and Performing Arts

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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Overview

www.music.iastate.edu/theatre

The Theatre and Performing Arts program:

  • Utilizes a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum.
  • 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. 

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 21-22 credit emphasis in one or more of the following areas of focus:

  • Acting/Directing
  • Dance
  • Musical Theatre
  • 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 members of their community 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)

As majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, students must meet College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University-wide requirements for graduation in addition to those stated below for the major.

LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 300/400 level. You must also complete the LAS world language requirement and career proficiency requirement.

Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. diversity and a three-credit course in international perspectives. Check (http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html) for a list of approved courses. Discuss with your advisor how the two courses that you select can be applied to your graduation plan.

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.

The Core for the Performing Arts Major (26 credits)

MUSIC 101Fundamentals of Music2
THTRE 106Introduction to the Performing Arts3
or THTRE 110 Theatre and Society
or MUSIC 102 Introduction to Music Listening
THTRE 250Technical Theatre Practicum2
THTRE 251Acting Foundations3
THTRE 255Introduction to Theatrical Production4
THTRE 263Script Analysis3
PERF 105Performing Arts Seminar (Six semesters required at .5 credits per semester)3
PERF 310Performing Arts Internship (2 professional internships required)R
or THTRE 499 Theatre Internship
PERF 401Performing Arts Capstone Seminar2
Choose four credits of DANCE from the following:4
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
Total Credits26

Emphasis in Acting/Directing (22 Credits)

MUSIC 125Class Voice (1 semester of MUSIC 125 or 118A required)1
or MUSIC 118A Applied Music: Non-majors: Voice
THTRE 151Actor's Voice and Movement3
THTRE 393Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop (any THTRE 393)3
THTRE 455Directing3
THTRE 465Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century3
THTRE 466Theatre History: 19th Century to Present3
Choose 6 credits from the following:6
Acting: Contemporary Scene Study
Puppetry Design and Performance
Acting for the Camera
Acting: Period Styles
Creative Writing: Playwriting
Advanced Directing
Seminar
Seminar: Acting Techniques
Seminar: Acting Styles
Seminar: Arts Management
Total Credits22

Emphasis in Theatrical Design and Technology (21 credits)

THTRE 455Directing3
THTRE 465Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century3
THTRE 466Theatre History: 19th Century to Present3
Choose 12 Credits from the following:12
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
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Scenic Painting
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop: Costume Construction
Seminar
Seminar: Design and Technical Theatre
Seminar: Arts Management
Total Credits21

Emphasis in Musical Theatre (22 credits)

MUSIC 125Class Voice (4 semesters of MUSIC 118A and/or 125 required)4
or MUSIC 118A Applied Music: Non-majors: Voice
THTRE 354Musical Theatre History and Performance3
THTRE 355Musical Theatre Auditions and Performance3
THTRE 465Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century3
or THTRE 466 Theatre History: 19th Century to Present
Choose 9 credits from the following:9
Actor's Voice and Movement
Acting: Contemporary Scene Study
Puppetry Design and Performance
Acting for the Camera
Studies in Theatre Design and Production Workshop (any THTRE 393)
Acting: Period Styles
Directing
Advanced Directing
Seminar
Seminar: Musical Theatre
Seminar: Acting Techniques
Seminar: Acting Styles
Seminar: Arts Management
Total Credits22

Emphasis in Dance (21 credits)

DANCE 360History and Philosophy of Dance3
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
Total Credits21

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
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
THTRE 2513PERF 105R 
THTRE 2554THTRE 1513 
PERF 105RTHTRE 2633 
THTRE 1063THTRE 2501 
ENGL 1503MUSIC 1012 
LIB 1601ENGL 2503 
Dance Elective1General Education Requirement3 
 Dance Elective1 
 15 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 105RPERF 105RPERF 310R
MUSIC 118A or 1251THTRE 351 (or other 300+ Acting class)3 
THTRE 2501Dance Class1 
Dance Class1General Education Requirement3 
THTRE 393 (any THTRE 393)3General Education Requirement3 
300+ Elective3300+ Elective3 
General Education Requirement2300+ Elective3 
General Education Requirement3  
LAS 2031  
 15 16 0
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 105RPERF 105RPERF 310R
THTRE 4553THTRE 4663 
THTRE 4653Dance Class Elective1 
General Education Requirement 3General Education Requirement3 
General Education Requirement3General Education Requirement 3 
300+ Elective3300+ Elective3 
Dance Elective1300+ Elective3 
 16 16 0
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
PERF 4012General Education Requirement 3 
THTRE 451 (or other 300+ acting/directing course)3300+ Elective3 
General Education Requirement 3300+ Elective3 
300+ Elective3300+ Elective3 
300+ Elective3  
 14 12
Total Credits: 120

Performing Arts - B.A. - Emphasis in Theatrical Design/Technology

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
PERF 105RPERF 105R 
THTRE 2513THTRE 2633 
THTRE 2554ENGL 2503 
LIB 1601MUSIC 1012 
THTRE 1063THTRE 2501 
General Education Requirement3General Education Requirement 3 
ENGL 1503General Education Requirement 3 
 17 15
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 105RPERF 105RPERF 310R
DANCE 270 (Or other Dance course)3DANCE 3603 
THTRE 393 (any 393)3THTRE 393A (or other 300+ THTRE Design/Tech course)3 
THTRE 2501General Education Requirement3 
General Education Requirement3Genearl Education Requirement3 
General Education Requirement2300+ Elective3 
300+ Elective3  
LAS 2031  
 16 15 0
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 105RPERF 105RPERF 310R
THTRE 4553THTRE 393B (Or other 300+ THTRE Design/Tech Class)3 
THTRE 4653THTRE 3933 
General Education Requirement3General Education Requirement3 
General Education Requirement3General Education Requirement3 
300+ Elective3300+ Elective3 
 15 15 0
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
PERF 4012300+ Elective3 
300+ Elective3300+ Elective3 
300+ Elective3300+ Elective3 
300+ Elective3300+ Elective3 
300+ Elective3300+ Elective3 
 14 15
Total Credits: 122

Performing Arts - B.A. - Emphasis in Musical Theatre

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
THTRE 2513PERF 105R 
THTRE 2554THTRE 2633 
PERF 105RTHTRE 2501 
THTRE 1063MUSIC 118A1 
ENGL 1503MUSIC 1012 
LIB 1601ENGL 2503 
MUSIC 118A1General Education Requirement3 
Dance Elective1Dance Elective1 
 THTRE 151 (or other Acting/Directing course)3 
 16 17
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 105RPERF 105RPERF 310R
300+ Elective3Dance Class1 
THTRE 2501THTRE 3553 
Dance Class1MUSIC 118A1 
THTRE 3543General Education Requirement3 
300+ Elective3General Education Requirement3 
General Education Requirement2300+ Elective3 
MUSIC 118A1  
LAS 2031  
 15 14 0
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PERF 105RPERF 105RPERF 310R
THTRE 455 (or other 300+ Acting/Directing Course)3Dance Class Elective1 
THTRE 4653THTRE 351 (Or other 300+ THTRE Acting/Directing Course)3 
General Education Requirement 3General Education Requirement3 
300+ Elective3General Education Requirement 3 
Dance Elective1300+ Elective3 
 300+ Elective3 
 13 16 0
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
PERF 4012General Education Requirement 3 
THTRE 352 (or other THTRE 300+ course from degree requirements)3300+ Elective3 
THTRE 451 (or other 300+ acting/directing course)3300+ Elective3 
General Education Requirement 3300+ Elective3 
300+ Elective3  
300+ Elective 3  
 17 12
Total Credits: 120

Please see the Department advisors for more information about suggested Four Year Plans for the Emphases in Dance.  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 105Performing Arts Seminar (3 semesters)0.5
THTRE 255Introduction to Theatrical Production4
THTRE 263Script Analysis3