Department of Theatre Arts
Undergraduate Programs of Study
- Theatre Arts (major, minor)
Degrees Offered
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
Department Description
The requirements for all degree tracks prepare students to be versatile life-long theatre artists through a rigorous, broad-based curriculum in theatre practice, theory, and history. Additional opportunities for specialized study are provided in the areas of acting, musical theatre, and design/technology. Through the course work students are given the opportunity to prepare the audition materials and/or portfolios necessary to enter professional theatre regionally and nationally.
Little Country Theatre,now known as Theatre - NDSU has been an important part of campus life at NDSU since 1914. Productions consists of Theatre NDSU, the student-run Newfangled Theatre Company, and the improv comedy troupe, To Be Determined. A typical season includes four fully produced main-stage plays at least one of which is a musical, four newfangled productions, various student projects, and improv shows. Productions are chosen in such a way to expose the students to a variety of styles and genres through a four-year rotation of play styles. Students gain practical experiences through Theatre - NDSU which reflect the best of professional practices and current technology. In addition to academic course work, every theatre major is required to participate in some way in at least one Theatre - NDSU production per semester. Participation in Theatre - NDSU is open to all NDSU students regardless of major.
The Department of Theatre Arts is accredited by the National Association of Theatre Schools (NAST)),and hosts a student chapter of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT).
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Theatre Arts are general baccalaureate degrees providing a liberal arts background with major emphasis in theatre. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a major in Theatre Arts is a professionally-oriented program and can be entered only by audition. This degree program provides in-depth study of a theatre specialization: Performance, Musical Theatre, or Design/Technology.
A minor in Theatre Arts is available with a general studies emphasis, dance emphasis, or with selected electives a student could design a minor with an emphasis either in theatrical design and technical theatre, or in performance (acting and directing).
A student who wishes to teach theatre in high school should select a teaching major approved by the School of Education and compliment that major with a major or minor in Theatre Arts.
Courses for Theatre Arts majors and minors are grouped into tracks and emphasis areas.