Theatre

The Theatre Program of the Communication Arts Department produces three main stage plays each year including drama, comedy, musical theatre and children's theatre.

Students are prepared for work in the contemporary theatre. Acting, theatre production, playwriting and stage direction are explored, as are theatre's classical roots and developing trends. Dance and Movement courses are offered to augment skills, competencies and academic programs. Major specialization in Theatre requires 42 total credits.

Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of productions:
Student Productions: Theatre students have an opportunity to direct/produce a variety of plays. Productions are generally staged in the department's Black Box Theatre.
Acting, directing and playwrighting showcases: These showcases give students the opportunity to apply their course work in public performances.
Street theatre performance: Street theatre is held each year during Family Weekend.

Organizations:
The Marywood Players is a student-governed organization that includes all theatre students plus non-majors interested in theatre. The Players engage in fund raising to support charitable activities on campus, to provide members with theatre workshops and to sponsor theatre trips. In addition, the Players produce directing, acting and playwrighting showcase productions, a public performance for Family Weekend, and the annual High School Theatre Festival. They play an active role in providing feedback to the faculty and staff, which affects changes in the program and in production.

More About This Degree

• Learn more about this program or visit the Music, Theatre, and Dance website.
• College: Insalaco College of Creative and Performing Arts
• Courses: Available courses in this department
• Student/Faculty Ratio: 13:1

MARYWOOD THEATRE: 1100-seat, professionally equipped auditorium with sophisticated lighting control system; supports the production of classical, contemporary, musical, and children's theatre.

BLACK BOX THEATRE: Laboratory theatre with flexible staging; designed for student directed productions
and to support experimental theatre.

MULTIMEDIA THEATRE: Audio-video facility for public presentations involving cinema, slides, audio and video recordings, and computer-based media.

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

• Official SAT and/or ACT scores
• Completed application
• Essay
• Official transcripts
• Letter of recommendation

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B.A. in Musical Theatre

Combining competencies in both music and theatre, the Bachelor of Arts in Music, with a concentration in Musical Theatre provides opportunities for students to develop skills and competencies in both the artistic and technical production of musical theatre. Admission to this program requires an audition (with music, theatre, and dance components).

Completion of this program prepares the student for professional work in musical theatre, as well as for further graduate study. This program has received final approval for listing in the NASM Directory.

Music courses — 31 credits

Theatre courses — 30 credits

Dance courses — 15 Credits

*Six credits of dance technique required. Courses are offered in ballet, jazz, modern dance, tap, musical theatre, and special topics.

Additional Requirements

A musical theatre major must appear in music, theatre, and dance performances each year at Marywood and must attend master classes and workshops offered in music, theatre, and dance.

The musical theatre major will be evaluated or juried each year in music, theatre, and dance to make recommendations for further study.

Requirements for all Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Majors

There are two concentrations in the theatre program: (1) Theatre Arts prepares students as performing artists, directors, technicians, designers, and managers. (2) Theatre Education leads to Pennsylvania teacher certification in Communication Arts 7-12 (which includes English, theatre, and non-print media).

All students adhere to Marywood University’s liberal arts core curriculum requirements as outlined in the undergraduate catalog.

Curriculum Requirements

Basic requirements for all students in Theatre Arts, Musical Theatre, Theatre Education, or Theatre Arts Administration (15 credits):

B.A. in Theatre Arts (65 credits)

The broad base of the theatre arts program allows for the exploration of a student’s strengths, which are then converted into marketable skills. With the advisement of faculty and staff, students are eventually directed toward a focus on performance, technical production, or management. For all theatre students, production experiences place strong emphasis on the development of an ensemble work ethic. Course requirements include the basic requirements of 15 credits for the major, plus:

Select 6 credits from the following:

Select 21 credits of electives with advisement. Students are encouraged to take an 18-credit minor in an area of related interest.

B.A. in Theatre Education (75 credits)

Students are certified to teach Communication Arts at the secondary level. The certification area includes English, theatre, and non-print media. Theatre Education candidates complete 190 hours of assigned fieldwork in observation prior to student teaching. Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires a minimum QPA of 3.00 for formal acceptance into the teacher education program. Application is typically done via sophomore screening process in the second year of study. Teacher certification requires a successful student teaching experience and the passing of Pennsylvania state teacher education tests.

Course requirements include basic requirements of 15 credits for the major plus:

+ The course selected may be applied both as a requirement for the major and as an upper level Liberal Arts core requirement.

Select 6 credits from the following non print courses:

Professional Education Component

*requires upper level screening
**taken with student teaching