Theatre, BA

Requirements for the Major

Applicants are admitted to the program on the basis of academic acceptance by the University and an audition or portfolio presentation and an interview. The BA in theatre requires completion of 124 credit hours. In addition to the University Core Curriculum, the student takes courses in the analysis, history, technique, and production of theatre. The BS in Arts Administration-Theatre requires completion of 128 credit hours including business, administration, and theatre courses. For detailed degree requirements, see www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/undergraduate-programs/theatre/majors-minors/.

PLEASE NOTE: The application process for the major includes a portfolio review or an audition. See the application process page on the program website: www.butler.edu/theatre  or contact the Department Chair for more information. 

Required Courses in Theatre (44 hours)

• TH 100 - Professional Theatre Practices Min Units: 1 (First Year) Credits / Units: 2 (1,1)
• TH 101 - Professional Theatre Lab Min Units: 0 (First Year, 2 semesters) 
• TH 300 - Professional Theatre Practices Min Units: 1 (Soph, Jr, Sr) Credits / Units: 4 (1,1,1,1)
• TH 301 - Professional Theatre Lab Min Units: 0 (Soph, Jr, Sr; 3 semesters) 
• TH 111 - Acting 1 Min Units: 3
• TH 112 - Acting 2 Min Units: 3
• TH 121 - Stage Movement I Min Units: 2
• TH 122 - Voice for the Actor 1 Min Units: 2
• TH 130 - Production Fundamentals Min Units: 2
• TH 150 - Idea of Theatre 1 Min Units: 3
• TH 232 - Stage Lighting 1 Min Units: 3
• TH 250 - Text Analysis Min Units: 3
• TH 331 - Scenography Min Units: 3
• TH 335 - Costume Design Min Units: 3
• TH 351 - American Theatre History 1 Min Units: 3

• OR

• TH 352 - American Theatre History 2 Min Units: 3
• TH 441 - Stage Directing 1 Min Units: 3
• TH 451 - Critical Perspectives in Theatre 1 Min Units: 3

• OR

• TH 452 - Critical Perspectives in Theatre 2 Min Units: 3

• OR

• TH 453 - Critical Perspectives in Theatre 3 Min Units: 3
• TH 490 - Senior Capstone in Theatre Min Units: 1
• TH 491 - Theatre Capstone: Audition/Monologues Min Units: 1

• OR

• TH 492 - Theatre Capstone: Research/Writing Min Units: 1

• OR

• TH 493 - Theatre Capstone: Portfolio/Gallery Min Units: 1

• OR

• TH 494 - Theatre Capstone: Directing/Project Min Units: 1

• OR

• TH 495 - Internship in Theatre Min Units: 0

• OR

• TH 496 - Internship in Theatre Min Units: 3

• OR

• TH 497 - Internship in Theatre Min Units: 6

• OR

• TH 499 - Honors Thesis Min Units: 3

Theatre Electives (9 hours)

Choose from the following list of Theatre courses or supportive courses: 

• TH 102 - Theatre Production Practicum 1 Min Units: 1
• TH 136 - Stage Makeup Min Units: 3
• TH 213 - Acting 3 Min Units: 3
• TH 221 - Stage Movement 2 Min Units: 3
• TH 222 - Voice for the Actor 2 Min Units: 2
• TH 231 - Stagecraft Min Units: 3
• TH 233 - Costume Technology Min Units: 3
• TH 240 - Stage Management Min Units: 2
• TH 302 - Theatre Production Practicum 2 Min Units: 1
• TH 314 - Acting 4 Min Units: 3
• TH 322 - Voice for the Actor 3 Min Units: 3
• TH 323 - Physical Theatre Topics Min Units: 3
• TH 324 - Music Theatre Seminar Min Units: 3
• TH 330 - Theatre Graphics Min Units: 2
• TH 332 - Stage Lighting 2 Min Units: 3
• TH 334 - Survey of Historical Costume Min Units: 3
• TH 336 - Advanced Makeup Projects Min Units: 3
• TH 351 - American Theatre History 1 Min Units: 3
• TH 352 - American Theatre History 2 Min Units: 3
• TH 371 - International Theatre Practices Seminar Min Units: 1
• TH 372 - International Theatre Practices Seminar Min Units: 2
• TH 373 - International Theatre Practices Seminar Min Units: 3
• TH 381 - Special Seminar Min Units: 1
• TH 382 - Special Seminar Min Units: 2
• TH 383 - Special Seminar Min Units: 3
• TH 384 - Museum Theatre Studies Seminar Min Units: 3
• TH 400 - Advanced Production Practicum Min Units: 3
• TH 415 - Acting Seminar 1 Min Units: 3
• TH 416 - Acting Seminar 2 Min Units: 3
• TH 419 - Acting for the Camera Min Units: 3
• TH 442 - Stage Directing 2 Min Units: 3
• TH 443 - Devised Theatre Studio Seminar Min Units: 3
• TH 444 - Seminar in Theatre Management Min Units: 3
• TH 451 - Critical Perspectives in Theatre 1 Min Units: 3
• TH 452 - Critical Perspectives in Theatre 2 Min Units: 3
• TH 453 - Critical Perspectives in Theatre 3 Min Units: 3
• TH 456 - Playwriting and Screenwriting Min Units: 3
• TH 461 - Independent Study Min Units: 1
• TH 462 - Independent Study Min Units: 2
• TH 463 - Independent Study Min Units: 3
• TH 470 - Moscow Theatre School Performance Min Units: 3
• TH 483 - Special Seminar Min Units: 3
• TH 491 - Theatre Capstone: Audition/Monologues Min Units: 1
• TH 492 - Theatre Capstone: Research/Writing Min Units: 1
• TH 493 - Theatre Capstone: Portfolio/Gallery Min Units: 1
• TH 494 - Theatre Capstone: Directing/Project Min Units: 1
• TH 495 - Internship in Theatre Min Units: 0
• TH 496 - Internship in Theatre Min Units: 3
• TH 497 - Internship in Theatre Min Units: 6
• TH 499 - Honors Thesis Min Units: 3
• AA 301 - Principles and Practices of Arts Administration Min Units: 3
• DA 161 - Body Placement 1 Min Units: 1
• EN 363 - Shakespeare Min Units: 3
• EN 384 - Studies in Drama Min Units: 3
• PCA 225-TH - Introduction to Theatrical Costuming Min Units: 3
• PCA 250-TH - Masks Min Units: 3
• PCA 251-TH - Theatre Experienced through the Human Body Min Units: 3
• PCA 252-TH - Fashioning Identity: A History of Dress Min Units: 3
• PCA 253-TH - The Scriptwriter’s Perspective Min Units: 3
• PCA 255-TH - Theatre: The Actor’s Perspective Min Units: 3
• PCA 256-TH - Entertainment Design Min Units: 3

Core Curriculum (27 hours)

The following requirements of the University Core Curriculum are fulfilled by the BA in Theatre: Writing Across the Curriculum (TH 451 , TH 452 , TH 453 ​, when taken in the junior year); Speaking Across the Curriculum (TH 490 ); Indianapolis Community Requirement (TH 150 ); and Social Justice and Diversity (TH 351  or TH 352 ). Theatre majors are exempt from both the Perspectives in the Creative Arts Requirement (because they take 9 hours in the arts) and the Butler Cultural Requirement. Performance attendance requirements for all theatre majors are embedded in the curriculum.  

Suggested Sequence of Courses

*Classes must be taken in the semester indicated.
**Choose 1 design course from the following: TH 232 (Stage Lighting 1), TH 331 (Scenography), or TH 335 (Costume Design).
***American Theatre History and Critical Perspectives in Theatre classes can be taken in any semester during the 3rd and 4th years.  

±TH 300 must be completed a minimum of 4 times per arrangement with department (Soph, Jr, Sr).
§TH 301 must be completed 3 times per arrangement with department (Soph, Jr, Sr).