Bachelor of Arts in Theater

A scene from "The Trojan Women," performed at JSC in November 2009.

 

 

The theater curriculum at Johnson State College is comparable to that of other institutions of similar scale and resources. The overall emphasis, however, is unique to JSC. The program emphasizes a balance between liberal arts and pre-professional studies. The B.A. program is built on core courses in literature, voice and theater arts followed by course work in Shakespeare, theater history and advanced dramatic literature.

Production skills are also a major focus including: acting, directing, improvisation, children's theater, stage craft and dance. In addition, two senior capstone courses provide professional transitions into the theater world: Senior Project in Theater and Seminar in Professional Preparation for the Actor. The heart of the program's curriculum is the course credit students receive for each production they undertake as part of their four-year plan. These productions are the testing ground for work explored in the classroom where the collaborative nature of theatre is constantly reaffirmed.

The program is designed to serve students who aspire to become theater performers, teachers, theater technicians and managers or those who wish simply to gain a broader knowledge and understanding of themselves and the world around them as part of a strong liberal arts education. It also prepares students for graduate work.

 

Required Courses                                                                  Credits

MUS-2330

Elementary Voice Class

3

THA-1040

Interpreting Contemporary Dramatic Literature

3

THA-1041

Introduction to Theater Arts

3

 

Historical and Literary Studies                                          Credits

THA-2030

Costume History and Design

3

THA-3010

Shakespeare: "On the Stage and On the Page"

3

THA-3110

Dramatic Literature: Classical/Modern

3

                           

Production and Performance Skills                                 Credits

DAN-2030/3030

Improvisation/Composition

4

THA-1111

Stagecraft

3

THA-2121

Acting I

3

THA-2122

Acting II

3

THAT-3210

Introduction to Directing

3

 

Elective (select one course from the following)         Credits

DAN-3010

Renaissance Spirit

3

THA-2035

Costume Construction and Stage Make Up

3

THA-3030

Children's Theater

3

THA-3040

Improvisation for Actors

3

THA-3123

Acting III

3

THA-3130

Introduction to Scene Design and Stage Lighting

3

THA-3720

Playwriting Workshop

3

 

Laboratory Experiences                                        Credits

THA-2040/4010

Performance and Production Lab

6
 

(3 of 6 credits should be performance in one musical over 4 years.)

 

THA-4720

Senior Project in Theater*

3

THA-4730

Seminar in Professional Preparation for the Actor

3

 

* If students elect to direct their own theater production as their senior project, THA-3XXX Introduction to Stage Management and THA-3210 Introduction to Directing will be pre-requisites for their senior project.

Total                                                                                                 49

Course Descriptions and Program Details

For more information, see the Undergraduate Catalogue.

Discussing art

The Trojan Women

  • Images and more from the JSC Theater Department's most recent production Here