Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Theatre

4-Year Plan of Study Form (Sample)

About the B.F.A. in Theatre

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre is designed to prepare students for the professional theatre or additional training at the graduate level. It features an intense focus on a selected area of concentration (performance or design/technical) and extensive production experience designed to promote excellence.

Degree Requirements (125 cr.)

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

• 125 credit hours
• At least 30 credit hours must be at the 300- or 400-level
• Successful participation in major season productions each semester as directed by the area coordinator of theatre and dance

General Education Curriculum (39 cr.)

See General-Education for a detailed description of the IU South Bend campuswide general-education requirements, including lists of approved courses.

All courses certified as meeting the campuswide general-education requirements are designated in the Schedule of Classes.

Fundamental Literacies (16 cr.)

• Writing | ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry I (with a grade of C or higher)
• Critical Thinking | Select from approved course list
• Oral Communication | SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking (with a grade of C or higher)
• Quantitative Reasoning | Select from approved course list (mathematics Level 6 equivalency or above)
• Information Literacy | COAS-Q 110 Introduction to Information Literacy (1 cr.)
• Computer Literacy | Computer Literacy must be accomplished: placement or course work
• Visual Literacy |

Select one of the following:

• THTR-T 228 Design for the Theatre
• Select from approved course list

Common Core Courses (12 cr.)

Complete one course from each of the following four areas, as designated in the Schedule of Classes. At least one of the areas must be completed at the 300-level.

• The Natural World | Select from approved course list
• Human Behavior and Social Institutions | Select from approved course list
• Art, Aesthetics, and Creativity | Select from approved course list
• Literary and Intellectual Traditions 

• THTR-T 190 Literary and Intellectual Traditions
  VT: The Structure and Analysis of Drama
• Select from approved course list

Contemporary Social Values (8 cr.)

• Students must complete one course from each of the following three areas, as designated in the Schedule of Classes.
• Non-Western Cultures | Select from approved course list
• Diversity in United States Society | Select from approved course list
• Health and Wellness (2 cr.) | Select from THTR-D offerings

Electives (1-2 cr.)

Major Requirements (85 cr.)

• Theatre Core (31 cr.)
• THTR-T 120 Acting I: Fundamentals of Acting
• THTR-T 225 Stagecraft 1
• THTR-T 230Costume Design and Technology I
• THTR-T 340 Directing I: Fundamentals of Directing
• THTR-T 349 Theatre Practicum (1 cr.) (three semesters; freshmen are not permitted to enroll)
• THTR-T 405 Stage Management
• THTR-T 470 History of the Theatre 1
• THTR-T 471 History of the Theatre 2
• THTR-T 483 Topics in Theatre and Drama
• THTR-T 485 Capstone Project (1 cr.)

Concentration Requirements (41-45 cr.)

Select one of the following:

• THTR-T 326 Introduction to Scenic Design
• THTR-T 335 Stage Lighting Design
• THTR-T 433 Costume Design II

Performance (41 cr.)

• MUS-V 201 Voice Class (1 cr.)
• THTR-D 120 Ballet I (2 cr.)
• THTR-D 220 Ballet II (2 cr.)
• THTR-T 220 Acting II: Scene Study
• THTR-T 223 Vocal and Physical Preparation I
• THTR-T 224 Vocal and Physical Preparation II
• THTR-T 290 History and Design of Stage Makeup
• THTR-T 300 Musical Theatre Workshop
• THTR-T 320 Acting III: Shakespeare
• THTR-T 392 Theatre Internship
• THTR-T 420 Acting IV: Realism
• THTR-T 423 Acting V: Period Comedy
• THTR-T 431 On-Camera Techniques
• THTR-T 442 Directing II: Advanced Directing
• THTR-T 479 Problems in Performance

Design/Technical (45 cr.)   

• FINA-F 100 Fundamental Studio–Drawing
• THTR-T 327 Period Styles
• THTR-T 330 Rendering
• THTR-T 332 Scene Painting
• THTR-T 392 Theatre Internship
• THTR-T 427 Design Studio (four semesters; junior standing required)
• THTR-T 434 Historic Costumes for the Stage

Select two from the following (not repeatable):

• THTR-T 326 Introduction to Scenic Design
• THTR-T 335 Stage Lighting Design
• THTR-T 430 Costume Technology II

Specialty Requirements (6 cr.)

Students must also select a specialty and complete 15 credit hours within that specialty:

Costume Design

• THTR-T 290 History and Design of Stage Makeup
• THTR-T 434 Historic Costumes for the Stage

Costume Technology

Select one of the following:

• THTR-T 326 Introduction to Scenic Design
• THTR-T 335 Stage Lighting Design
• THTR-T 433 Costume Design II

Scene Design

• THTR-T 426 Fundamentals of Scenic Design
• THTR-T 439 Technical Drawing

Lighting Design

• THTR-T 438 Advanced Stage Lighting Design
• THTR-T 439 Technical Drawing

Scenic Technology

• THTR-T 424 Stagecraft 2
• THTR-T 439 Technical Drawing