School of Theatre and Dance
Theatre Division
B141 Music and Speech
E-mail: theatre@kent.edu
Tel: 330-672-2082
Fax: 330-672-2889
Web: www.theatre.kent.edu
Theatre Studies Major
| B.A. in Theatre Studies—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements] |  |
The mission of the Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre studies is to give students an opportunity for study in all aspects of theatre and its relationship to other liberal arts studies. This program serves students who seek a wider range of possibilities to fulfill individual creative goals, whether as theatre artists, scholars, educators, and/or contributors in related fields. Students receive thorough grounding in theatre history and theory and learn imaginative and critical thinking, the process of making theatre, and leadership skills.
The program prepares students to apply their knowledge and learned skills to career choices in the 21st century and in the process enrich their own lives in their chosen communities.
B.F.A. in Theatre Studies
The B.F.A. degree is designed for students who wish to specialize in a specific area of theatre or dance (design and technology, musical theatre, dance performance or dance education) and requires successful completion of auditions. Students declaring a theatre major who have not successfully passed the audition(s) will be enrolled in the B.A. program. This program requires the demonstration of competency in the chosen specialty, both in auditions or portfolio reviews and via yearly evaluations. The B.F.A. candidate is expected to develop theatre and/or dance and performance skills equal to entry-level positions in the profession or as expected for admission into M.F.A. programs.
Entrance to the B.F.A. program is based on rigorous auditions or theatre design portfolio. Students who pass this audition or portfolio review will be invited to enroll in the B.F.A. program upon beginning classes at Kent State. All B.F.A. students are required to be evaluated on a yearly basis through performances, portfolio reviews, contributions to the production season and academic achievement. The B.F.A. in musical theatre is an interdisciplinary program offered with the Dance Division of the School of Theatre and Dance and the School of Music. Application to the B.F.A. in musical theatre requires an audition in each of the three performance areas: dance, music and theatre. The students must display talent and training potential in all areas to be admitted to the program. Students who pass the musical theatre audition will be admitted directly into the B.F.A. program at the beginning of their freshman year. Students who pass the Dance Division auditions are also admitted directly into the B.F.A. program at the beginning of their freshman year.
Students in all B.F.A. program areas may be dropped from the program for failure to maintain a 2.50 GPA (B.F.A. students should strive to maintain a 3.00 overall GPA).
B.F.A. musical theatre students must pass yearly auditions; B.F.A. design/technology students must pass yearly portfolio reviews. Students will be dropped from the B.F.A. program for failure of audition or portfolio review. Students on academic probation may not participate in any School of Theatre and Dance productions. All B.F.A. musical theatre majors are expected to audition for all mainstage theatre productions and accept roles if cast. All B.F.A. design/technology majors are expected to participate in at least one mainstage production per semester (this may be in addition to any production design assignment).
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Studies comprises two concentrations: design and technology and musical theatre.
Design and Technology Concentration—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree in design/technology fosters the artistic development of theatre designers, technicians and artisans so they can successfully enter the profession and/or its related fields. Students study both traditional theatre practices and new methods and technologies in order to become flexible, dynamic and creative collaborators in theatre art. Students must demonstrate continuing progress and are thus evaluated annually through portfolio reviews, coursework and production responsibilities. The B.F.A. candidate is expected to develop theatre skills equal to entry-level positions in the profession or as expected for admission into Master of Fine Arts programs.
Musical Theatre Concentration—2009-2010 Roadmap [Degree Requirements]
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in musical theatre offers students interdisciplinary academic and creative experiences that prepare them to be working artists in the field of musical theatre. Students develop practical skills in music, dance and acting in conjunction with concentrated work in theory, history and liberal arts. Students must demonstrate continuing progress and are thus evaluated annually through auditions, coursework and production responsibilities. The B.F.A. candidate is expected to develop theatre, vocal and/or dance skills equal to entry-level positions in the profession or as expected for admission into Master of Fine Arts programs.
Students on academic probation may not participate in School of Theatre and Dance productions. Students may be dropped from program for failure to maintain a 2.50 GPA.