Theater, B.A.

In accord with the University of Portland’s deeply held belief that education develops and enhances the whole person, the theater program prepares students for productive participation in local, national, and global society. Toward this goal, the program provides a comprehensive foundation of theater coursework with the ability to focus training in performance, design, management, directing, and dramaturgy. This comprehensive learning system of classwork and production experience provides students with direct access to performing arts careers, while also preparing students interested in other professions to acquire life skills such as problem solving, teamwork, and collaboration.

The bachelor of arts in theater is designed to provide students with an interdisciplinary engagement in the areas of performance, theater design and technology, history, playwriting, and dramaturgy. The comprehensive curriculum and laboratory learning offers students the opportunity for an entry level start to their professional theater career. Curriculum is not limited to theory in the classroom. The program strives to create safe and active learning environments in all course work and performances to help all students grow and thrive in the study and practice of theater making.

The theater program produces four main stage productions a year in the 280-flexible-seat Mago Hunt Center Theater and two to four student-produced and directed productions in the black box Blair Studio Theater. For further information, please visit the Theater Program's website.

The program also participates yearly in the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF.) All theatrical productions are entered to be evaluated by peers within the region. Student actors, designers, directors, and production managers are selected to present their work in the regional KCACTF gatherings where leaders are chosen to participate at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Program scholarships are available to new and transfer students through audition and interview. Scholarships are awarded only to declared theater majors and maintained through ongoing participation in theater program productions and yearly updated applications. Please contact the Theater Program Director to set up an audition or interview.

The University of Portland has been an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) since 2000.

Learning Outcomes for Theater Majors

Theater graduates of the University of Portland should be able to:

  1. Know the individuals who have influenced contemporary world theater and understand and articulate the fundamental theories and conventions that helped shape it.
    1. Identify the names and time periods of specific theater artists, playwrights and their work from the ancient Greeks to modern day.
    2. Describe the various theories and stylistic conventions that have shaped theater production from the time of the ancient Greeks to modern day.
  2. Demonstrate the fundamental skills and techniques required of a modern theater practitioner: performer, designer, director, dramaturg, or manager.
    1. Performer
      1. Be able to score a script for circumstances, acting relationships, objectives and actions.
      2. Use and produce effective vocal characteristics necessary for a theatrical production with correct pronunciations.
      3. Develop a personal approach to embody the emotional life and physical characteristics of a character in a theatrical production.
    2. Designer
      1. Be able to create visual sketches, models, drawings, diagrams to communicate their visual ideas and designs for theatrical production.
      2. Apply construction skills and technology to the process of turnings sketches, models, drawings and diagrams into 3-dimensional forms.
      3. Develop an aesthetic process that allows for personal artist vision and approach for theatrical design.
    3.  Manager
      1. Be able to document and use effective communication as it applies to the model of creative theatrical process and production management.
      2. Apply the variety of skills and management theories necessary to work as a stage manager, a general manager, a development manager, a production manager and artistic manager in a professional theatrical organization.
      3. Develop an individual approach to managing an artistic process from conception to actual theatrical production.
  3. Work in an environment of collaboration in a variety of production experiences.
    1. Demonstrate skills necessary to act effectively in production assignments within the creation of several theatrical productions in positions both on and off stage.
    2. Document and evaluate the experience as it applies to the holistic process of theater production and its necessary collaboration.
  4. Apply critical thinking and analytical skills to dramatic literature as it applies to production; performance, design, direction, dramaturgy, and management.
    1. Performer
      1. Be able to research and analyze a script for character and period style as it applies to performance.
      2. Be able to score a script for understanding and approaching the plot, theme and the arc of action and apply it to production.
    2. Designer
      1. Be able to research and analyze a script for an aesthetic mood, character, period style, and required necessary elements to support the action of a production and its conceptual approach.
      2. Be able to create a visual form that supports the ideas presented by the playwright in terms of plot, theme and the arc of action and apply it to production.
    3. Manager
      1. Be able to research and analyze a script for management issues and challenges as they apply to the process and creation of a theatrical production.
      2. Be able to create a prompt book that incorporates the ideas of the playwright, director, designers and performers and apply this tool to production.

Capstone Experience

The senior capstone in theater is fulfilled with one of five types of projects: acting, directing, design, dramaturgy, playwriting and management. Students register for THTR 498. All projects allow students to demonstrate the development of their skills and a synthesis of their training in their chosen area of specialty. Students produce a written proposal for faculty approval, work with a faculty mentor to develop the project, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the outcome of their projects through both a written evaluation and an oral presentation to the theater faculty and their peers. Details about capstones in each of the five areas are specified under THTR 498.

University Core Curriculum Requirements — 40 credit hours

All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.

See Core Curriculum Requirements

THTR 307 and THTR 412/413/414 are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.A. in Theater.

College of Arts and Sciences B.A. Requirements — 24-33 credit hours

See College Requirements, B.A.

Theater Major Common Requirements — 25 credit hours

THTR 207Introduction to the Art of Theater

3

THTR 272Production Work and Review I

1

THTR 307A History of Theatre and Culture

3

THTR 321Acting Studio I: Performance Skills

3

THTR 333Directing I: The Director's Toolkit

3

THTR 350Theatre Technology and Safety

3

THTR 370Performance Practicum

1

and/or

THTR 371Design/ Integrated Theater Practicum

1

THTR 372Production Work and Review II

1

THTR 412Gender and Performance

3

Or

THTR 413Theatre for Social Change

3

Or

THTR 414Race and Drama in the U.S.

3

THTR 498Senior Capstone Experience

3

Students complete two credits of THTR 370 or THTR 371 or complete THTR 370 and THTR 371 for one credit each.

Select one of the following four emphases:

Performance Emphasis — 15 credit  hours
THTR 322Acting Studio II: Scene Study

3

THTR 335Voice for Performance

3

THTR 337Movement for Performance

3

THTR 422Acting Studio III: Playing Shakespeare

3

Select one design elective from the following:

THTR 351Light Design, Sound Design, and Technology

3

THTR 353Scenic Environment Design

3

THTR 363Beginning Costume Development and Analysis

3

THTR 365Theater Makeup Techniques

3

Design/Technical Emphasis - 15 credit hours

Select three courses from the following:

THTR 351Light Design, Sound Design, and Technology

3

THTR 353Scenic Environment Design

3

THTR 363Beginning Costume Development and Analysis

3

THTR 365Theater Makeup Techniques

3

Select one production elective from the following:

THTR 445Fashion History and Gender Expression

3

THTR 450Stage and Production Management

3

THTR 456Scenic Painting

3

THTR 471Theater and Arts Management

3

Select one advanced design elective from the following

THTR 451Advanced Light and Sound Design

3

THTR 453Advanced Scenic Environment Design

3

THTR 463Advanced Costume Design and Research

3

Integrated Theater Emphasis — 15 credit hours
THTR 351Light Design, Sound Design, and Technology

3

THTR 471Theater and Arts Management

3

THTR 497MIntegrated Theater Internship

3

Select two electives from the following:

THTR 400Dramaturgy

3

THTR 427Playwriting I: Elements

3

THTR 433Directing II: The Director's Imagination

3

THTR 450Stage and Production Management

3

Basic Theater Endorsement for Education Certificate — 19 credit hours

The Basic Teaching Endorsement aligns with the UP School of Education curriculum for education majors as a secondary course of study. It is available only to students in the School of Education.

THTR 207Introduction to the Art of Theater

3

THTR 307A History of Theatre and Culture

3

THTR 321Acting Studio I: Performance Skills

3

THTR 333Directing I: The Director's Toolkit

3

THTR 350Theatre Technology and Safety

3

THTR 372Production Work and Review II

1

Select one design elective from the following:

THTR 351Light Design, Sound Design, and Technology

3

THTR 353Scenic Environment Design

3

THTR 363Beginning Costume Development and Analysis

3

Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours

Total Credit Hours: 120