Undergraduate Catalog » Colleges & Schools » Liberal Arts » Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures

Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures

Professors Bassett (Emeritus), Blair, Cromer, David, Deer, Derry (Emeritus), Donahoe, Klein, Lavarnway, Johnson, McDowell (chair), Reichert
Associate Professors Benjamin, Crews, Hellems, Lafferty, McWilliams, Rodriguez (Emeritus)
Assistant Professors Gibbs, Richter, Thomas, Walther

Faculty Associates Church, Cordes, Goodman, Hapner, Merrill, Sutter

The Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures is devoted exclusively to the training and education of undergraduate students in the areas of dance, motion pictures, and theatre. These programs lead to the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees.

The Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures is empowered by the Ohio Revised Code to require particular preliminary training or talent for admission to specific programs, and each of the five B.F.A. degree programs has specific criteria for admission to each level of training. Students in all areas must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 by the end of the freshman year to continue in a theatre arts major. Students who wish to be admitted as majors in acting, acting/musical theatre, or dance must successfully pass an audition or interview. Transfer students are admitted into B.F.A. programs on the basis of a successful audition, interview, or portfolio presentation. The department has an open admissions policy for students wishing to major in the B.A. programs in theatre studies and motion pictures history, theory, and criticism, and B.F.A. programs in design/technology and motion pictures production.

All students who return after an absence of four or more consecutive quarters must reapply to the faculty for readmission to the program, and at the discretion of the faculty they may be required to satisfy program requirements in effect at the time of readmission. Details of the admission and retention policy are detailed in the Department of Theatre Arts Student Handbook.

Dance

The dance program is designed to train students for professional careers in dance performance. This Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree combines dance technique classes with theatrical and musical training to prepare students to succeed in their specialized field of concert dance or musical theatre.

The foundation of the dance curriculum is a daily class in ballet technique with additional training in modern, jazz theatre dance, and tap. Classes in choreography, dance pedagogy, dance history, and pointe/men's class are required. Seniors must complete an individually choreographed senior dance project in conjunction with a support paper. Required courses outside of dance include studies in theatre, acting, music theory, music literature, and singing.

All students must successfully audition for admission into the dance program. Only selected students who demonstrate technical skill and artistry and a promise of high achievement in dance are accepted. All transfer students are required to audition for acceptance and placement. To remain in the dance program, students must demonstrate continual growth as judged by the faculty and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in all dance courses and a 2.0 GPA overall. Dance faculty evaluate all majors at the end of each academic year; students must earn a positive recommendation before they can enroll for the next level of training. Exceptional dance majors are selected to study and to perform as members of Dayton Ballet II or Dayton Contemporary II. These dancers are eligible for scholarships from the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures.

Dance majors have the opportunity to perform in the Wright State University Dance Ensemble as well as audition for musicals or plays. The dance program brings together theatrical and musical training to begin students on the path to becoming professional dancers, choreographers, and teachers. The unique training allows dance students unique opportunities to grow and explore multiple disciplines. Additionally, exchange programs with Dayton Ballet and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company offer exceptional dance majors and further opportunities for training and performance.

Degree Requirements--Dance

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree
See General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements	56

Required Courses:
Area IV: TH 214
Area VI: Any approved Liberal Arts College
Component course

Departmental Requirements	108

DAN 101, 102, 103, 111, 112, 113, 201, 202, 203, 211, 212, 213, 251, 252, 253, 301, 302, 303, 311, 312, 313, 321, 322, 323, 341, 342, 343, 371, 372, 373, 399 (six hours), 401, 402, 403, 411, 412, 413, 421, 422, 423, 491, 492, 493 Two hours from the following: DAN 207, 208, 209; 307, 308, 309; 407, 408, 409 Two hours from either DAN431 or 432 Two hours from the following: TH 238, 239, approved HPR 100 and HPR 101 courses, other courses as approved by advisor

Related Requirements	18

TH 147, 148, 149
TH 105, TH 100 (five hours)
MUS 114, 118

Electives	10

Total	192

Motion Pictures

The program in motion pictures provides a study of film as a fine art. The curriculum offers two options: the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre with a concentration in motion pictures production and the Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre with a concentration in motion pictures history, theory, and criticism.

The B.F.A. Program

The B.F.A. program follows an open admission policy for only the first quarter; thereafter, students must progress according to department guidelines in order to continue. Prospective motion pictures B.F.A. students must take MP 131 the fall quarter of their freshman year and receive an A or B in order to proceed to any other classes as a major. Students successful in MP 131 should register for MP 231 in the winter quarter. In order to be eligible to take MP 180 and MP 232 in the spring quarter, students must have completed 24 university credit hours, received a C or higher in MP 231, and achieved an overall minimum GPA of 2.25 by the end of winter quarter. After completion of the spring quarter, prospective B.F.A. students must submit a Sophomore Audition Application and be officially accepted as a film major in order to continue into the sophomore year. Note that a limited number of students will be invited to enroll into the second year and become B.F.A. majors. Further details regarding evaluation standards can be found in the Department of Theatre Arts Student Handbook, published by the department.

At the end of the sophomore year, B.F.A. students must audition successfully for entrance into the junior and senior years of the program. This process, called the Junior Audition, is a comprehensive process involving multiple meetings with faculty and review of all work done in the program. Before students are accepted into the junior year, they must have a minimum 2.5 GPA in all film history/theory classes and a 2.25 overall GPA. Students must also have completed six film history/ theory courses, not including MP 131, and including MP 232 and 233, and have earned at least 85 credit hours. Students are required to submit original media work for faculty evaluation. To be accepted to the third year, students must show promise of benefitting from continuing education. In their third year, all production students are expected to demonstrate growth in film technique and earn additional credits in film history, theory, and criticism, as well as credits in General Education classes and electives.

The B.A. Program

Students who are interested in the B.A. program generally follow the same program of study for the first year as the B.F.A. students, except without taking MP 180. At the end of the freshman year, B.A. students should indicate to the faculty their intention to return to the program. A B.A. degree in motion pictures can be thought of as a general liberal arts degree, preparing one for entrance into professions requiring knowledge of contemporary culture. More specifically, the B.A. degree can prepare one for graduate study in film and subsequent employment as a professional writer or teacher in a university; other job options include working for a film archive, festival, library, museum, arts council, or publisher.

Motion Pictures Honors Program

The honors program in motion pictures provides students of superior academic ability with the opportunity to broaden and demonstrate their skills. To earn a degree with honors, students must complete the departmental major requirements, maintain a superior GPA throughout their course of studies, and successfully complete a senior honors project, MP 499, sometime in their senior year. To be admitted to the honors program, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 in their major and an overall GPA of 3.25. Both B.A. and B.F.A. students should contact the coordinator of the motion pictures area or the department chair for further details.

Degree Requirements--Motion Pictures History, Theory, and Criticism

Bachelor of Arts Degree
The Bachelor of Arts degree combines a liberal arts education with an appreciation of the aesthetic, social, and historical aspects of the film medium. Because film is a highly eclectic medium of expression, the department has designed a coordinated program of electives for the B.A. student.

See General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements	56

Required Courses:
Area IV: ART 214 or TH 214
Area VI: Any approved Liberal Arts College
Component course

Departmental Requirements	61

MP 131, 180, 231, 232, 233, 334	19
Additional courses in motion picture history, theory, and criticism to be chosen from MP 331, 332, 333, 435	33
Additional production courses to be chosen from MP 281, 282, 283, 381, 382, 383, 436, 499	9

Related Requirements	10-12

ART 207
MUS 214 or 121
One of the following:
EDT 455, COM 152, 253, 256, 360, 365 or appropriate substitute (consult advisor for alternatives)

Language and Research Methods Requirement	36

French recommended; must complete through 203 level. (Most other B.A. programs require foreign language through 202 level only.)

Electives	27-29

Note : No more than seven credits of electives may be from theatre. English, history, and art courses are highly recommended.
Total	192

Degree Requirements--Motion Pictures Production

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is designed to give students preprofessional training for vocations closely related to film and video production, while simultaneously giving them an opportunity to develop their creativity.

See General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements	56

Required Courses:
Area IV: ART 214 or TH 214
Area VI: Any approved Liberal Arts College
Component course

Departmental Requirements	72

MP 131, 180, 231, 232, 233, 281, 282, 283, 334, 381, 382, 383, 436, 481, TH 222	51
Additional courses in motion picture history, theory, and criticism to be chosen from MP 331, 332, 333, 435	21

Related Requirements	23-27

ART 207, 258, 358 or 359
MUS 114, 121 or 214
Two of the following:
EDT 455, COM 152, 253, 256, 360, 365 or appropriate substitute (consult advisor for alternatives)

Electives	37-41

Note : There is no limit on the number of electives from theatre.
Total	192

Theatre

Students who wish to study theatre choose from professional programs leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or to the Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre studies. The professional programs are acting, acting-musical theatre, theatre studies, and design/technology/stage management.

Admission for the acting and acting-musical theatre programs is by audition. The department has an open admissions policy for first-term freshmen in the design/technology/stage management and theatre studies programs. Transfer students must audition or interview for all B.F.A. programs. Each B.F.A. program has set criteria for selectively retaining students in the programs. These include a requirement that students earn a GPA of at least 2.0 to continue in the B.F.A. programs; most of the programs require a higher minimum GPA for graduation. The policies are spelled out in the following sections and in the Department of Theatre Arts Student Handbook, which is issued annually. Students are required to consult quarterly with an academic advisor.

Degree Requirements--Acting and Musical Theatre

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree
The professional acting and musical theatre programs are an intensive, four-year progression of studies in acting, voice, movement, dance, and singing. Because courses in the acting program follow a set sequence, students are generally admitted only in the fall quarter. The Professional Actor Training Program is limited by audition to only selected, superior students who show promise of high achievement in acting and/or musical theatre. Retention in the Professional Actor Training Program is determined by periodic review. Students are retained in the program based on their growth and development as judged by the acting faculty.

To be retained in the program, all acting and musical theatre students must earn a grade of C or better in required departmental and related courses for the major, with the exception of TH 102, 120, and 222. If a student does not receive a C or better in these required courses, the student may not take the courses a second time. However, students may retake TH 106, 107, 108, 372, 373, 380, 381, and 382 (literature and history courses) for a second time to receive the required grade of C or better. Students not receiving a grade of C or better in all required departmental and related courses (with the above exceptions) will not be retained in the program or continue in the acting or musical theatre degree programs.

Acting
See General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements	56

Required Courses:
Area IV: TH 214
Area VI: TH 250

Departmental Requirements	98

TH 102, 115, 116, 117, 120, 144, 145, 146, 215, 216, 217, 222, 240, 241, 242, 244, 245, 246, 254, 255, 256, 315, 316, 317, 340, 341, 342, 344, 345, 346, 347, 354, 355, 356, 380, 381, 382, 413, 440, 441, 442, 444, 445, 454, 455

Related Requirements	9

DAN 111, 112, 113

Electives	29

Total	192

Musical Theatre
See General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements	56

Required Courses:
Area IV: TH 214
Area VI: TH 250

Departmental Requirements	93

TH 102, 106, 107, 108, 120, 144, 145, 146, 157, 158, 159, 222, 240, 244, 245, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 337, 338, 339, 344, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 372, 373, 380, 437, 444, 457, 458, 459

Related Requirements	31

DAN 104, 105, 106, 121, 304, 305, 306, 207 or 307, 208 or 308, 209 or 309, 331, 332, 333, plus six credits from 300- or 400-level dance of choice

Electives	12

Total	192

Degree Requirements--Design/Technology/Stage Management

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree
The program in design/technology/stage management prepares students for careers as designers, technicians, and stage managers in the professional theatre. During the junior year, students begin a concentration in either design or technology in the fields of costumes, scenery, lighting, sound, or properties. Students interested in concentrating in stage management do so beginning in the freshman year. All design/technology majors must present their portfolio for an evaluation at the end of each year of study. Students are retained in the program and accepted into the sophomore year of study based on maintaining an overall GPA of 2.0, continual growth as determined by the faculty, and successful portfolio evaluation at the end of each year of study. Before students can begin their junior or senior year, they must have a minimum 2.5 GPA in all design and technology classes and a 2.25 overall GPA. Students must also continue to show steady growth in their craft. They must demonstrate leadership skills and self-discipline and show promise of benefiting from continued training. Any student whose overall GPA falls below 2.25 will be suspended from production, graphics, and design classes and from using facilities until the GPA is raised. The faculty members reserve the right to totally suspend from a program any student who does not fulfill these continuing requirements. Students may be reinstated if the requirements are subsequently fulfilled. Students not performing in their academic or production assignments will be dropped from the program.

See General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements	56

Required Courses:
Area IV: TH 214
Area VI: TH 250

Department Core Requirements	49

TH 102, 124, 125, 147, 210 (18 hours), 220, 224, 227, 229, 301, 380, 381, 382

Related Requirements	49-76

One of the following concentrations:
Technology Concentration (76 hours)
TH 124, 125, 126, 225, 226, 228, 320 (18 hours);
TH 328, 329, 362, 420 (18 hours), 429 (six hours); and six hours chosen from TH 324 and 326

Design Concentration (76 hours)
TH 124, 125, 126, 225, 226, 228, 320 (12 hours);
MP 131, 328, 329, 324, 325, 326, 362, 376 (six hours), 420 (six hours), 424, 425, 426, 429

Stage Management Concentration (49-55 hours)*
TH 148, 149, 324, either 325 or 326, 350, 351, 410 (9-15 hours), 429; COM 102; CS 205;
DAN 111; ENG 330; HPR 260; MUS 114

Electives	11-38

Total	192

* Recommended electives for students in the Stage Management Concentration are TH 131, 498 (12-15 hours), and COM 453.

Degree Requirements--Theatre Studies

Bachelor of Arts Degree
Theatre majors working toward the Bachelor of Arts degree combine the advantages of a liberal arts education with preparation for a career in theatre or theatre-related areas. The department encourages students to maintain a balance between theory and practice and among the various arts of the theatre, gaining insight and perspective by studying art, history, literature, music, philosophy, religion, and science.

Because of the strength of the theatre production program, the B.A. theatre studies student is in a particularly advantageous position to acquire a high level of practical as well as theoretical knowledge, a distinction not afforded theatre students in programs with lesser production emphases. The student is encouraged to diversify in a variety of disciplines; courses throughout the department as well as production opportunities are open to these students. The major in theatre studies is generally considered to be preparation for further study at the graduate level.

See General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements	56

Required Courses:
Area IV: TH 214
Area VI: TH 250

Departmental Requirements	46-50

TH 102, 147, 148, 149, 222 (four hours), 380, 381, 382; MP 131	25
Additional electives chosen from	9-10
TH 301, 304, 328, 329, 350, 351, 365, 375
Additional electives in theatre	12-15

Language and Research Methods Requirement	24-32


Electives	54-66

Total	192

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