Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 60

Required Courses:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
THTR 5387	Directing Practicum I	2
THTR 5388	Directing Practicum II	3
THTR 5392	The Business of the Business in Theater	2
THTR 5804	Dramaturgy	2
THTR 8001	Seminar in Dramatic Literature	2
THTR 8002	Seminar in Dramatic Literature	2
THTR 8985	Teach in Higher Education	3
THTR 9251	Acting for the Camera	2
THTR 9382	Projects in Directing I (5 terms)	12
THTR 9387	Directing Practicum III	2
THTR 9388	Directing Practicum IV	2
THTR 9995	Thesis	6
Select one Design Area course from the following:		2
THTR 5613	History of Decor
THTR 5625	History of Fashion
THTR 5741	Design for TV and Film
THTR 8511	Lighting Design II
THTR 8611	Costume Design II
THTR 8711	Scene Design II
Select one Theater course from the following:		2
THTR 5212	Speech for the Actor II
THTR 5232	Vocal Production for the Actor II
THTR 5242	Dance for the Actor II
THTR 8231	Vocal Production for the Actor III
THTR 8232	Vocal Production for the Actor IV
THTR 8241	Dance for the Actor III
THTR 8242	Dance for the Actor IV
Film Course 1		4
General Electives 2		12
Total Credit Hours		60

¹

Consult with the program director to ensure selection of an appropriate film course.

²

Consult with the program director to ensure selection of appropriate electives.

Additional Requirements:
First Year:
Students direct scenes plus a one-act play in the studio theater and serve as assistant to the director of a main stage show.

Second Year:
Scene work continues. Students also direct two unsupported projects in the studio theater.

Third Year:
Students direct a thesis production. This is a fully supported production that is part of the main stage season. During the alternate term, an opportunity may exist for an internship to assist or direct in one of the professional theaters in the Philadelphia area. This choice requires faculty approval. An additional option is an unsupported project to allow the student to explore personal interest or career objectives in theater.

Practical Application (in addition to coursework):
First Year/Fall Term: Practical focus is on the short scene (5-10 minutes). Three scenes are presented to the department with a focus primarily on contemporary realism.

First Year/Spring Term: Continued practical focus is on directing scenes from acknowledged 20th-century classics.

Second Year/Fall Term: Practical focus is on Shakespeare, culminating in the presentation of a Shakespeare scene project.

Second Year/Spring Term: Practical focus is on scene work from a variety of non-realistic genres and styles, including the study of comedy.

Second Year: Potential opportunity exists to direct a minimally supported full-length production during one of the terms.

Third Year/Fall Term: Practical focus is on new work, including self-created ensemble-based work.

Third Year/Spring Term: Practical focus is on the serial television project as well as musical theater.

Culminating Event:
Thesis:
One fully supported thesis project is produced in the main season during the third year. This is accompanied by a detailed, comprehensive written thesis, which includes an account of the research and script analysis that preceded the rehearsal process, a director’s rehearsal log, and the student's evaluation of the production. The student meets with appropriate faculty after the production has closed for discussion and evaluation of both the process and the production. Faculty members look systematically at all aspects of the theater production and evaluate the student in terms of what was attempted and what was achieved. Theatrical concept, unity of design and stylistic approach, the visual and aural components of storytelling, and ensemble work of the actors are evaluated from the point of view of directing, acting and design.