Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Visual and Performing Arts (BA) with Theatre Concentration
Students who complete the major in Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) pursue an interdisciplinary study of the arts by completing a major core that includes courses in writing, interdisciplinary studies, professional development, historical context, theory, and practice. The VPA major culminates in a Senior Capstone. Students who are majoring in VPA can focus their studies by choosing from nine possible concentrations.
The Theatre concentration focuses on student work in areas of theatre including: Acting, Stage Management, Technical Theatre, Design, Musical Theatre, Directing, Voice Over, Playwriting, Dance, and Production Ensemble. Additionally, students will develop knowledge in theatre history and literature.
At least one-half of the total semester credit hours for major requirements must be taken at UT Dallas.
Unless otherwise noted, courses in Visual and Performing Arts are open to all students in the University.
Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts with Theatre Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Professors: Fred I. Curchack, Thomas P. Riccio
Clinical Assistant Professor: Shelby Hibbs
Professor of Instruction: Kathy Lingo
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours1
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Communication Core courses (see advisor)
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics Core courses
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences Core courses
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture Core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
THEA 1310 Understanding Theatre2
Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts Core courses (see advisor)
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from American History Core courses
Government/Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science Core courses (see advisor)
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences Core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 6 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
THEA 1310 Understanding Theatre2
3 semester credit hours from a THEA studio course, including:
THEA 1351 Acting 1
THEA 1352 Acting 2
THEA 2311 Topics in Theatre
THEA 2364 Musical Theatre Workshop
THEA 2371 Technical Theatre 1
THEA 2372 Improvisation
THEA 2373 Languages of the Body
THEA 2V71 Independent Study in Theatre
THEA 2350 Voice for the Actor
3 semester credit hours from a THEA/DANC/MUSI studio ensemble course
III. Major Requirements, Upper-Division: 39 semester credit hours
Major Core Courses: 15 semester credit hours
VPAS 3340 Writing in the Arts
VPAS 4389 Theory and Practice of the Visual and Performing Arts
VPAS 4390 Senior Capstone
or VPAS 4V99 Senior Honors in Visual and Performing Art
3 semester credit hours of upper-level Related Courses from the School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (excluding the THEA prefix)
Select 3 semester credit hours of Professional Development Courses from the following:
ARTS 3311 Contemporary Art Practices
ARTS 4310 Studies in Contemporary Exhibitions
COMM 4370 Communication and Leadership
COMM 4371 Communication and Professionalism
ENTP 3301 Innovation and Entrepreneurship
ISAH 4V50 Internship
VPAS 4310 Entertainment Law
Theatre Concentration Requirements: 24 semester credit hours
THEA 3323 Performance in Historical Context
THEA 3310 Theatre/Performance Ensemble
or 3 semester credit hours of THEA 3V10 Technical Theatre Practicum
12 semester credit hours of upper-level THEA courses
3 semester credit hours of upper-division THEA/DANC/MUSI courses
3 semester credit hours of upper-division Visual and Performing Arts elective
IV. Elective Requirements: 33 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 33 semester credit hours
Both upper- and lower-division courses may be used as electives. Students are encouraged to enroll in courses in other performance areas, such as dance and music.
The plan must include sufficient upper-division courses to total 45 upper-division semester credit hours.
Incoming freshmen must enroll and complete requirements of AHTC 1100.
Minors
Students must take a minimum of 18 semester credit hours for the minor. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor, and should maintain a minimum GPA of 2.000 on a 4.00 scale (C average). Semester credit hours may not be used to satisfy both the major and minor requirements; however, free elective semester credit hours or major preparatory classes may be used to satisfy the minor. Core courses offered by the school may count as lower-division semester credit hours toward the minor. Topics courses must be approved by the school. The School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology will substitute courses as necessary. At least one-third of the semester credit hours for a minor must be taken at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Minor in Theatre
18 semester credit hours
Theatre Fundamentals: 3 semester credit hours
Choose one course from the following:
THEA 1310 Understanding Theatre
THEA 1351 Acting 1
THEA 1352 Acting 2
THEA 2364 Musical Theatre Workshop
Performance and Technical Study: 6 semester credit hours
Performance: 3 semester credit hours
Choose one course from the following:
THEA 2371 Technical Theatre 1
THEA 2372 Improvisation
THEA 2373 Languages of the Body
THEA 2350 Voice for the Actor
THEA 2V71 Independent Study in Theatre (1-3 semester credit hours)
THEA 3310 Theatre/Performance Ensemble
Technical Study: 3 semester credit hours
Choose one course from the following:
THEA 3324 Technical Theatre 2
THEA 3325 Directing
THEA 3351 Light Design
THEA 3352 Stage Management
THEA 3353 Theatrical Makeup
THEA 3V10 Technical Theatre Practicum
Theatre History and Literature: 3 semester credit hours
Choose one course from the following:
THEA 3323 Performance in Historical Context
THEA 3380 Theatre and Literature
Electives: 6 semester credit hours, upper-division coursework
6 semester credit hours of any upper-level THEA courses
1. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
2. A required Preparatory course that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Semester credit hours may be counted in Core Curriculum.