Communication Arts & Sciences
Major in Theatre
Godspell, Cabaret, A Doll’s House, student-written plays: at Elmhurst’s Mill Theatre, the opportunities are rich, rewarding, and educational.
Theatre students at Elmhurst College choose from six different areas of concentration: acting, directing, theatre design and technology, stage management, theatre arts administration, and general theatre. In each, you’ll be immersed in the theory and history of drama and stagecraft and put your skills into practice. You’ll study with adjunct faculty who work as theatre professionals. You’ll participate in the American College Theatre Festival. You’ll prepare for an entry-level position in the profession, or for intensive study on the graduate level.
The major in theatre requires seven and one-half core courses and five and one-half courses in an area of concentration, including applied theatre. While an audition is not required for admission, students should consult with theatre faculty before beginning the program.
Required Courses
Must be taken by every student majoring in theatre.
THE 226 Acting Technique I
THE 227 Development of the Theatre
THE 228 Stagecraft
THE 329 World Theatre and Drama in Cultural Contexts
Two of the following:
THE 314 History of Musical Theatre
THE 331 Histoy of Western Theatre I
THE 332 History of Western Theatre II
One of the following:
ENG 336 Contemporary Literature: Drama
ENG 345 Shakespeare
THE 470 Avant-garde Theatre
THE 471 Holocaust Theatre
Theatre literature elective
As part of the theatre core, theatre majors are required to participate actively in the mainstage production season at Elmhurst College. If not cast, the student must participate in some other capacity. Enrollment in a minimum of four terms of Theatre Practicum, COM 175-475 (quarter course) or Musical Theatre Practicum, COM 176-476 (quarter course) for credit or non-credit, is required regardless of date of entry into the program.
All students majoring in theatre are highly encouraged to complete professional internships and to be active in the appropriate professional organizations. These can be arranged through Elmhurst College faculty, or independently.
Areas of Concentration
Students must complete at least one area of concentration in addition to the Core.
Acting
THE 301 Voice and Movement for the Stage
THE 326 Acting Technique II
THE 424 Directing
One of the following courses:
THE 426 Acting Technique III or THE 352 Special Topics in Theatre
ATA and/or ATM Acting and/or Musical Theatre (two terms at 0.5 course credit, total of one course)
One from the following half credit courses:
AMV or AMT Applied Voice–singing voice lessons
CSD 203 Phonetics I (Half course)
Any course in dance chosen from THE 302-405
Directing
THE 301 Voice and Movement for the Stage or THE 326 Acting Technique II
THE 352 Special Topics in Theatre
THE 424 Directing
THE 428 Design for the Stage
ATD Directing (three terms at 0.5 course credit, total of 1.5 courses)
Theatre Design and Technology
THE 428 Design for the Stage
ATT Theatre Design and Technology (four terms at 0.5 course credit per term, total of two courses)
KIN 204 Emergency Procedures (Half course)
Two of the following three courses:
ART 115 Drawing Studio
ART 120 Painting Studio
ART 125 Design Studio
Students completing the concentration in Theatre Design and Technology must produce full designs in at least two of the following design areas: scenery, lighting, costume, sound.
Stage Management
THE 352 Special Topics in Theatre
THE 424 Directing
THE 428 Design for the Stage
Choice of: COM 315, COM 450, or any theatre elective
ATS Stage Management (Two terms at 0.5 course credit per term, total of one course)
KIN 204 Emergency Procedures (Half course)
Theatre Arts Administration
ATB Theatre Business/Administration (Two terms at 0.5 course credit, total of one course)
Four of the five following courses:
BUS 230 Principles of Marketing
BUS 250 Management Theory and Practice
BUS 263 Accounting and Financial Management for Non-Business Majors
COM 319 Business and Professional Communication
COM 450 Leadership and Communication
One of the following three choices:
BUS 353 Managerial Development for Women (Half course)
ART 154-155 Media Practicum I (Two terms at quarter course each)
ENG 365 Journalism Practicum (Two terms at quarter course each)
Students in the theatre management concentration are strongly recommended to complete the Intercultural Studies minor.
Arts managers deal with very diverse communities, and would be wise to prepare as completely as possible.
General Theatre
Any four courses in Theatre or Drama beyond the core.
AT_ Private instruction in any area of Applied Theatre (total 1.0 course credit)
One course chosen from the following:
THE 302–305 (Half course)
AMV or AMT Applied Voice–singing voice lessons (Half course)
CSD 203 Phonetics I (Half course)
KIN 204 Emergency Procedures (Half course)