SCHOOL OF THEATRE
Dean: Steven Wallace; Associate Deans: Bill Byrnes, T. Lynn Hogan
Four different theatres serve future theatre artists in Tallahassee. The Richard Fallon Theatre, a 500-seat proscenium stage, is home of the school's Mainstage subscription series of classics, musicals, and contemporary plays for the community and the student body. The Studio Theatre, a 200-seat proscenium stage, offers graduate directors, designers, and technicians an opportunity to produce fully mounted productions as part of their degree requirements. The Lab, an intimate thrust stage of approximately 150 seats, is used for experimental work. The Fine Arts Annex contains a classroom/rehearsal space that doubles as a performance venue for the numerous independent student-produced works sponsored by the School of Theatre Student Advisory Council.
In addition to its degree programs, the School of Theatre has created The London Theatre Experience, an extraordinary, full-semester curriculum in London for select theatre majors. The emphasis of the program is on classical theatre training and includes theatre-going, backstage tours, classes with leading theatre artists, special internships and performance opportunities. Students earn a full semester of academic credit while participating in a program that will make a real difference in their lives as students, artists, and human beings. Graduate credit is available only by special request.
Degrees Offered
The School of Theatre is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre, and its degree requirements are in accordance with the latest published regulations of that association. The School of Theatre offers degrees and course work at both undergraduate and graduate levels. To major in theatre, a student must pass a screening process and maintain appropriate standards of achievement. The bachelor of arts (BA) is a flexible, broad-based liberal arts degree, providing a basic knowledge of, and experience in, theatre arts. The bachelor of fine arts (BFA) offers an intensive program of in-depth training in either acting, design/technology or musical theatre. An honors program is available for qualified undergraduate students. For further information, contact the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Services, School of Theatre. The master of arts/master of science (MA/MS) degrees offer a blend of academic courses and production training on an advanced level. The master of fine arts (MFA) degree provides training to achieve professional-level competencies in either acting, directing, scene design, costume design, lighting design, technical production, or theatre management. The doctor of philosophy (PhD) in theatre is a research degree that indicates the perfection of individual skills in theatre scholarship.
Facilities
There are several performance spaces available for the production of plays. All include rehearsal space. They are: the Mainstage Theatre in the Fine Arts Building in Tallahassee; the Studio, or Augusta Conradi Theatre in the Williams Building in Tallahassee; The Lab Theatre in Tallahassee; and the Free Works Theatre in the Fine Arts Annex in Tallahassee.
The Mainstage Theatre in the Fine Arts Building is a proscenium theatre with continental seating for 500 patrons. Stage equipment includes a turntable, a counterweight system, hydraulic orchestra pit, a computer lightboard, a four-channel sound system, light and sound shops, two large-group dressing rooms, and two private dressing rooms.
The Studio, or Augusta Conradi, Theatre is a proscenium house and seats 200 patrons. The stage equipment includes a rope system, a preset lightboard, a single channel sound system, a light and sound control booth, green room, two group dressing rooms, and a small scene shop. The auditorium is used as a lecture classroom and demonstration laboratory.
The Lab is a flexible theatre space used in proscenium, thrust, arena, and open configurations. There is a variable seating capacity depending on each production's staging requirements. There is a lighting grid, and portable sound and lighting equipment is utilized. Two subscription-season productions are mounted in the Lab Theatre each year. In addition, the space is used for student development and productions. There is an accompanying rehearsal hall next door.
The Fine Arts Annex is a small proscenium space with flexible seating. The space is used as a classroom space, rehearsal space, and as a performance space. The Free Works Theatre is operated by the Student Advisory Council as a venue for student productions.
Requirements
Admission To Upper Division
Students should contact the School of Theatre Office of Academic and Student Services regarding GPA and course requirements for admission to upper division.
Attendance Requirement for All School Events
All undergraduate students in the School of Theatre must register for THE 4990 every fall and spring in which they are enrolled as a theatre major. This course is a zero (0) credit, S/U course to insure participation at designated school activities. These include attendance at all school meetings, required plays, the design/tech exhibit, and other required events. Failure to comply with this requirement will jeopardize graduation eligibility.
Liberal Studies Program
All undergraduates in theatre are required to meet the liberal studies requirements as specified in the "Undergraduate Degree Requirements" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Theatre Laboratory Requirement
Theatre majors must complete three semesters of technical theatre laboratories. Courses must be taken every semester beginning the first semester in residence until the requirement is complete. Students transferring with a major in theatre may receive transfer credit for no more than one laboratory course.
Retention Standards
Not formally admitted BA students are advised by peer advisors. Formally admitted BA and BFA students are advised by a professional academic advisor. Students are required to meet with their adviser every semester during the official advising period. Failure to do so will result in a hold on registration.
A grade of "C-" or better is required in all major courses and prerequisites except THE 2020, which requires a "B-" or better. Students may only retake a major requirement once in which a grade below the minimum was received. (THE 2020 may be taken only once.) The class must be retaken the following semester and a minimum grade of "C-" must be achieved for retention. BA students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in major requirements and a cumulative GPA of 3.0; BFA acting and music theatre students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in major requirements and a cumulative GPA of 2.5. BFA design/technology students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in major course work and a 3.0 cumulative GPA. If a student receives a "D" or "F" in a major requirement, or if the GPA falls below the minimum, the student will be placed on probation for the following semester. If the grade or GPA does not meet minimum standards by the end of the probationary semester, the student will be dismissed from the program.
The School of Theatre retains the right to refuse admission or terminate enrollment at any time if a student fails to maintain the standards of the program.
Honors in Theatre
The School of Theatre offers a program in honors to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake independent and original research as part of the undergraduate experience. For requirements and other information, see the "University Honors Program and Honor Societies" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
The bachelor of arts (BA) is a flexible liberal arts degree intended to offer a comprehensive knowledge of theatre arts. The program requires a balance of theatre core classes and electives which allow students the opportunity to explore selected areas of the theatre. Theatre core requirements include courses in acting, directing, voice or movement, technical theatre, design, and theatre history. Electives can be fulfilled with additional theatre courses or any other University courses. Liberal studies requirements for the baccalaureate degree must be met. Twenty-four (24) semester hours of course work must be taken outside of the major, in addition to liberal studies. Hours taken to satisfy the bachelor of arts foreign language requirement and the multicultural requirement (if not part of either the major requirements or liberal studies) may be part of that twenty-four hours. For more information, see the 'Bachelor of Arts Degree' section of the "Undergraduate Degree Requirements" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Major
A minimum of thirty-nine (39) semester hours of course work in theatre is required. Contact the Office of Academic and Student Services for a complete list of requirements.
Note: at least eighteen (18) semester hours of these required courses must be completed in residence.
Minor
A minimum of twelve (12) semester hours in theatre courses, six (6) of which must be in courses numbered 3000 or above. At least six (6) semester hours of theatre courses must be completed in residence.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Requirements
The bachelor of fine arts (BFA) is a preprofessional degree, with intensive, in-depth training. The goal is the development of both an understanding of theatre as a total art and the skills necessary for its expression. Students may concentrate in acting, design/technology or music theatre. The BFA program is designed to provide the necessary foundation for specialization at the graduate or professional level. Admission to the program is highly selective. A student seeking to enter the program must offer, in addition to an acceptable GPA, an acting and/or music audition or portfolio review and a resumé. Continuation in the program is dependent not only upon academic performance but also upon development of talent and skill potential as evaluated by faculty assessment. A student's work and commitment are under continuous review, and any candidate who fails to maintain high standards will be dropped from the program. Although it is possible to complete all requirements within four years, it is likely that a successful course of study will take longer, since graduation depends as much on demonstrated proficiency as on credit hours.
Common Curriculum
Beyond the liberal studies requirements, BFA students are required to complete approximately seventy-four to eighty-six (74-86) semester hours in theatre and related courses. All BFA students are required to complete successfully core theatre courses and technical laboratories. Contact the Office of Academic and Student Services for complete degree requirements.
Concentration in Acting
Students with a concentration in acting must complete TPA 2248; TPP 2110r, 2111r, 2190L, 3510r, 3511r, 3710r, 3711r, 4112r, 4512r, 4712r, 4730, 4922r; THE 4260 and three (3) semester hours from THE 4110, 4111, 4233, 4236, 4244, 4245, or 4433; and eight (8) elective semester hours in performance.
Concentration in Music Theatre
Students with a concentration in music theatre must complete MUT 1111, 1112, 1241, 1242; MVV 3532r, 4542r; THE 4244, 4245; TPA2248; TPP 2110r, 2111r, 3510r, 3511r, 3711r, 4112r, 4512r, 4923r. A minimum of five (5) semester hours of private voice, keyboard, and dance are also required until proficiency is demonstrated in these skills.
Concentration in Design/Technology
Students should contact the School of Theatre for information about the BFA in design/technology.
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