Theatre

Faculty

View faculty details

Chair

Lynn Watson

Professor

Xerxes Mehta

Associate Professors

Alan Kreizenbeck
Wendy Salkind
Elena Zlotescu

Assistant Professors

Colette Searls

Lecturers

Shelley Steffens Joyce
Susan McCully
Greggory Schraven

Associate Staff

Terry Cobb

Emeritus

William T. Brown

Courses in this program are listed under THTR.

UMBC's Theatre Program emphasizes the integration of research and performance. The department offers students a liberal arts education through the study of theatre. The curriculum offers students an in-depth understanding of their chosen theatrical specialty and an equally expansive knowledge of dramatic history, theory and literature. Students come to appreciate dramatic works from the roots of their cultural context to the nuances of a given performance.

Students may choose to major or minor in theatre, with an emphasis in acting/performance or in design/production that focuses on scenery, costumes, lighting and sound. All theatre students are required to take a set of core courses that serve as an intellectual and practical foundation for the more advanced, specialized courses in the department.

The synthesis of all aspects of theatre study is through the conceptualization, rehearsal, construction and performance of the dramatic text. Throughout their years of study, students are provided with numerous opportunities to display their understanding of their course work through participation in main stage, laboratory and student-directed productions.

Options for Study

The Department of Theatre offers two degrees for majors. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Acting is designed for students who are interested in an intensive performance program leading to the pursuit of graduate study and/or careers in professional theatre. The B.A. in Acting is designed for students who are interested in a broad understanding of all areas of theatre, while maintaining a focus in acting. The B.A. also is offered to theatre majors who focus in theatre production and design, theatre history and literature, and secondary education. Students also may select to minor in any of these areas of theatre. They may also choose theatre as one of their areas of specialization within the Interdisciplinary Studies Program, in which case, they design a program of appropriate courses in consultation with a theatre faculty advisor and an advisor in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. For more information on this option, read the section Alternative Program.

Career and Academic Paths

Graduates of the program regularly are admitted to top conservatories and graduate programs across the country. Alumni also are working in every aspect of professional theatre, film and television.

Professional theatre is only one of the areas in which graduates distinguish themselves. Many graduates are successful teachers at every level of education, and other students use the strong liberal arts background gained in the theatre curriculum to go on to careers in business, government, law and human services.

Academic Advising

Upon entering the theatre program—as a major, minor or a concentrator within the Interdisciplinary Studies Program— each student is assigned a theatre faculty advisor. All transfer students who plan to be majors must confer with a department advisor before enrolling in any theatre courses. The faculty advisor meets with the student during the semester to provide guidance about theatre and university curricula and about scheduling, and is available for informal conversations about the student’s experiences and concerns.

Admission

UMBC offers the only Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting (B.F.A) in Maryland. It also offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre with an emphasis in acting or in design/production. The B.A. program is designed for the student who is interested in a broad understanding of all areas of theatre, while maintaining a focus on acting or on costume, scenic, lighting or sound design. The B.F.A. track is designed for students who want to pursue graduate study and a career in acting.

Major Program

B.F.A. in Acting

All acting majors take the same theatre courses during their first year of study. During the second semester, theatre faculty will review actors and make recommendations for acceptance into the B.F.A. in Acting Program. B.F.A. in Acting majors must fulfill required studio/performance courses with a grade of “B” or better. Other non-performance courses submitted by a student in fulfillment of the B.F.A. major requirement must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. These students must complete the following requirements:

THTR 100
Introduction to Theatre Scenography [3]
THTR 104
Introduction to
Costume [3]
THTR 202
Introduction to Dramatic Literature [3]
THTR 210
History of Theatre I [3]
THTR 211
History of Theatre II [3]
THTR 220
Craft of Acting I [4]
THTR 221
Craft of Acting II [4]
THTR 222
Vocal Training for the
Actor I [3]
THTR 223
Vocal Training for the
Actor II [3]
THTR 229
Movement for the Actor [3]
THTR 234
Makeup for the Stage [2]
THTR 239
Movement II:
Alexander Technique [3]
THTR 250
Introduction to Production Techniques [3]
THTR 321
Script Analysis [3]
THTR 324
Craft of Acting III [4]
THTR 325
Vocal Training for
the Actor III [3]
THTR 329
Movement for the
Actor III [3]
THTR 345
Auditioning and the Business of Acting [3]

THTR 360
Modern Theatre I – Social Protest [3]
OR
THTR 361
Modern Theatre II – The Interior World [3]

THTR 421
Acting Shakespeare [3]
THTR 450
Senior Project [1]

Recommended theatre electives are:

THTR 347
Character and Scene
Study [4]
THTR 349
Women and Theatre [3]
THTR 390
Theatre in Production [3-5]]
THTR 490
Production Workshop [3-6]

TOTAL CREDITS: 63
(B.F.A. in Acting)

B.A. Programs

All students seeking a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre must complete the department’s core requirements as well as the requirements for a concentration in acting, design/theatre production or secondary education certificate. All courses submitted by a student in fulfillment of the B.A. major requirement must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Core Requirements

THTR 100
Introduction to Theatre Scenography [3]
THTR 104
Introduction to
Costume [3]
THTR 202
Introduction to Dramatic Literature [3]
THTR 210
History of Theatre I [3]
THTR 211
History of Theatre II [3]
THTR 250
Introduction to Production Techniques [3]
THTR 321
Script Analysis [3]
THTR 360
Modern Theatre I – Social Protest [3]
THTR 361
Modern Theatre II – The Interior World [3]
THTR 450
Senior Project [1]

CORE CREDITS: 28

Note: Stage management of departmental productions may be selected as a substitute for THTR 250 at the discretion of the faculty.

Concentration in Acting Emphasis
Students wishing to pursue the B.A. in Acting degree must complete the following additional requirements:

THTR 220
Craft of Acting I [4]
THTR 221
Craft of Acting II [4]
THTR 222
Vocal Training for the
Actor I [3]
THTR 223
Vocal Training for the
Actor II [3]
THTR 229
Movement for the Actor [3]
THTR 234
Makeup for the Stage [2]
THTR 239
Movement II:
Alexander Technique[3]

CREDITS: 22
TOTAL CREDITS: 50

B.A. (Acting Concentrations)
Acting majors in the B.A. program may be permitted to enter upper-level performance classes with the permission of the course instructor. They are encouraged to work closely with their theatre advisor to select appropriate electives.

All theatre majors with a concentration in acting must audition for departmental productions and, if selected, participate in them. All students so selected, whether majors or non-majors, must register under the appropriate production course number. Permission of the instructor is required.

Concentration in Design and Theatre Production
Five areas of design/theatre production are offered:
Stage management
Scenery
Costuming
Lighting
Sound

These majors have numerous opportunities to work as design assistants and (with recommendations) designers on faculty-directed productions. Other opportunities include work as a stage manager, master carpenter, master electrician, props master, draper, craftsperson and stitcher. Students wishing to pursue the B.A. degree with a concentration in design and theatre production must complete the following additional requirements:

THTR 110
Introduction to Acting [3]
THTR 230
Drawing for the Theatre [3]
THTR 231
Drafting for the Theatre: Hand and CAD [3]
THTR 234
Makeup for the Stage [2]
Three 200-level design courses [9]
One 300-level design course [3]

Theatre majors with a theatre production emphasis are strongly advised to consult with their advisor regarding the order in which courses should be taken.
Note: Laboratory assignments on all department productions will be required of all design majors. See the department technical director.

CREDITS: 23
TOTAL CREDITS: 51

B.A. (Concentration in Design/Theatre Production)
ELECTIVES:
The theatre department places great emphasis upon the selection of electives outside and within the department. These courses must be chosen in consultation with an advisor.

All courses submitted by a student in fulfillment of the B.A. major requirement must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

B.A. (in Theatre and a Secondary Education Certificate)
The Department of Theatre offers a program for theatre majors who wish to become certified to teach theatre in secondary education. This program has been approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. Students are required to complete selected core theatre requirements and a minor in English literature offered through the UMBC English Department. In addition, students must be admitted to and complete UMBC’s Secondary Education Program. Upon successful completion of this program, students are recommended for certification in the State of Maryland.

Required Theatre Courses (38 credits)
THTR 100
Introduction to Scenography [3]
THTR 104
Introduction to
Costume [3]
THTR 250
Introduction to Production Techniques [3]
THTR 202
Introduction to Dramatic Literature [3]
THTR 220
Craft of Acting I [4]
THTR 221
Craft of Acting II [4]
THTR 223
Vocal Training I [3]
THTR 350
Directing [3]

THTR 210
History of Theatre I [3]
OR
THTR 211
History of Theatre II

THTR 321
Script Analysis [3]

Theatre education students are also required to fulfill the equivalent of one six-credit theatre production course where they serve as either assistant director or as stage manager. They have the option of fulfilling this course with a theatre production at UMBC or in a practicum course with a selected high school theatre educator. The practicum selection will need to be approved and planned with the student’s theatre
advisor.

To fulfill the six credits, select one of the following courses:

THTR 390
Theatre in Production
OR
THTR 490
Production Workshop
OR
THTR 370
Theatre Practicum [6]
The UMBC English minor in literature (18 credits)
ENGL 250
Introduction to Shakespeare [3]
ENGL 301
Analysis of Literary Language [3]

Additional 12 credits, three of which must be in literature courses and six of which must be upper-level. THTR 321 is acceptable for three of these nine credits.

Minor Program

All theatre minors must complete the following core courses:

THTR 100
Introduction to Scenography [3]
OR
THTR 104
Introduction to
Costume [3]
THTR 110
Introduction to Acting [3]
THTR 202
Introduction to Dramatic Literature [3]
THTR 210
History of Theatre I [3]
OR
THTR 211
History of Theatre II [3]
Three other lower- or upper-level theatre
courses [9]

Core Credits for the Theatre Minor: 21

Alternative Programs

Theatre is by nature a composite art. As such, it points to many avenues of connection with other disciplines. Students interested in exploring areas common to theatre and one or more of the other arts may want to explore alternative programs available through the interdisciplinary studies major and should submit proposals to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program.

Internships

During summers and following graduation, many theatre majors participate in full-time internships at professional theatres in the Baltimore/Washington area.

Scholarships

There are a number of merit-based scholarship awards available to theatre students on entrance to the program and during matriculation.

Linehan Artist Scholars
The Linehan Artist Scholars Program is for incoming freshman who show high artistic and intellectual ability and who seek to develop their creative talents in the context of a strong liberal arts education.

In addition to filling out an application for admission, a separate application for this scholarship program must be submitted to the scholarship office by a deadline in January. Candidates may request this application from the scholarship office or download it from the UMBC Web site, www.umbc.edu.

Fine Arts Scholarship
This award is offered to talented incoming freshmen and transfer students intending to major in theatre. After acceptance to the university, candidates should audition or have their portfolio reviewed by theatre department faculty.

Theatre Department Scholarships
Any theatre major who has participated in the program for a minimum of two semesters may apply for this award. Applications are reviewed by the theatre faculty, at which time the student’s participation in classes and in other department activities is evaluated. Scholarships are applied to tuition for one semester and may be awarded no more than twice to any individual student.

Anderson/Fitzsimmons Theatre Scholarship
Small scholarships are available to all theatre majors.

William T. Brown Shakespeare on Wheels Research Award
Theatre majors apply for the award to attend professional workshops in their area of study in the United States or abroad.

Provost’s Undergraduate Research Awards
This award is available to undergraduate students to support specialized research projects. Students are selected based on the merit of their project proposal. Examples of projects in the arts that are appropriate for this award are a bilingual theatre/dance piece, a musical composition, and the creation of a sound and visual environment based on a particular text. Awards are for $1,500, and the completed projects are presented in the spring.