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THEATRE (THET)College of Arts and Humanities - School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies2806 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, 301.405.6676 www.tdps.umd.edu tdps@umd.edu Professors: M. Hebert, F. Hildy, H. Huang, H. Nathans, S. Reese, D. Wagner Associate Professors: D. Conway, L. Felbain, M. Kachman, B. MacDevitt, L. Smiley Assistant Professors: I. Ashizawa, F. Carpenter, L. Frederik Meer Professors Emeriti: P. Gillespie, R. Meersman, W. Patterson, R. Pugliese Visiting Faculty: W. Dallas (Sr Art-In Res), K. Rothman (Visit Asst Prof, Lecturer) The Major Small classes, diversity, and a close-knit environment promote a strong sense of community within the Theatre major. An extensive production schedule offers students a myriad of opportunities to practice their craft. A supportive and stimulating environment fosters creative development and spurs achievement. Our comprehensive curriculum embraces the liberal arts approach to theatre study and cultivates skills-discipline, creativity, self-confidence, and critical thinking-that are valuable in all career fields. Students gain a strong foundation in theatre arts and have the opportunity to tailor the degree to their strengths and interests. Our performance and design/production faculty cluster members are active in their fields (members of Actors Equity and United Scenic Artists), providing students a vital link to the world of professional theatre. Our scholarship faculty cluster members regularly publish and participate at national and international conferences. Situated in close proximity to the vibrant Washington/Baltimore theatre communities, students have ready access to the best of contemporary and classical productions at more than 80 professional theatres. Through professional affiliations with many of these theatre companies, students enjoy unique opportunities such as internships, workshops, partnership projects and blended productions. An audition, portfolio, or interview is not required for admission to the program. Courses offered by this Department may be found under the following acronym(s): THET, AASP, HONR, JAPN, JWST, WMST, ANTH. Program Objectives The Theatre Program offers a balanced, liberal arts education that integrates production, design, and scholarship. The B.A. in Theatre seeks to introduce students to the history, theory, and literature of theatre; to offer them insights into the cultural diversity that has shaped the creation of theatrical forms around the world; to allow them to develop their own aesthetic sensibilities and their own perspectives as artist and audience member; and to offer them practical training in the areas of theatre craft, from design to directing to performance. Program Learning Outcomes By the end of their undergraduate work students should be able to demonstrate fundamental knowledge of theatre performance, design, history, craft and literature analysis. They will also be able to demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills and the ability to communicate with written and spoken word and artistic vision. Students will also develop the ability to interpret and analyze dramatic texts with critical understanding of content and methodology. They will expand their awareness of the basic methods and principles for creating a dialogue between theory and practice. Finally, students will develop the ability to work effectively within a collaborative environment. Academic Programs and Departmental Facilities Theatre is housed in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art performing arts "village" comprised of ten interconnected structures occupying 318,000 square feet and situated on a 17-acre site at the northwest end of the campus. The Center is designed to serve the theatre, music and dance programs of the University and also houses the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library. With 30 classrooms, 50 practice and rehearsal rooms, and fully outfitted costume, electric, scenic production, paint and properties shops, the Center serves more than 5,000 students, 200 faculty and staff and numerous regional, national and international audiences and professionals. For further information visit the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center website at http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu. Placement in Courses Many Theatre performance and production courses above the Sophomore level require an audition and/or permission of the Department. Requirements for the Major Requirements for the College of Arts and Humanities include a minimum of 45 upper-level credits and a foreign language requirement. Students in the Theatre major prior to the fall 2009 semester should consult the unit for prior curriculum requirements. Major requirements include 55 credits of course work in Theatre. 46 credits of these must be THET and 9 Supporting Courses may come from approved courses outside the unit. Of the 55 credits, at least 28 credit hours must be upper level (300-400 series). No course with a grade less than "C-" may be used to satisfy major or supporting area requirements. An overall GPA of 2.0 in the major is required for graduation. No course for the major may be taken Pass/Fail or Audit.
Other Requirements for the Major As the Area and Supporting Course Menus do not require specific course choices, students may select courses according to their interests and abilities. In consultation with their advisor, students may choose to tailor their degree and create a focus in a specific area of interest to prepare them for the profession or entrance to graduate school. Advising The College of Arts and Humanities has a dual advising system where students meet with college advisors to discuss their general education requirements and departmental advisors to discuss the major requirements. The Theatre Major requires mandatory advising each semester to keep in touch with our student base and assist majors and double majors with curricular and co-curricular choices. Advising procedures and instructions to sign up for an advising appointment can be found on the TDPS website at www.tdps.umd.edu and under the heading "BA Theatre." Internships Theatre Majors may register for up to 6 credits of internship work under the THET 286 or THET 386 course number. Internships may be done during the academic year or during the summer, for credit and salary or just credit. Information about the internship procedure may be found on the theatre website in the Undergraduate Handbook. Internships are not required but are strongly encouraged. Scholarships and Financial Assistance Scholarships and financial assistance may be awarded to prospective and enrolled students through a number of Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) scholarships, Smith Family Excellence in Theatre Award (SETA) scholarships, and various Theatre Scholarship/Awards Funds. For further information visit the TDPS website at www.tdps.umd.edu and select "Scholarships and Awards" on the BA Theatre page. The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) administers all types of federal, state and institutional financial assistance programs and, in cooperation with other university offices, participates in the awarding of scholarships to deserving students. For information, visit: www.financialaid.umd.edu. Awards and Recognition At the spring TDPS commencement ceremony, the Charles B. Hale Award is presented to the two members of the senior class who have done the most for the advancement of dramatic art while undergraduates at the University of Maryland. |