Theatre Arts

http://coas.howard.edu/theatrearts/

The Department of Theatre Arts is committed to the training of knowledgeable theatre artists, theorists, historians, and teachers in the theatre arts. The Department is dedicated to the principle of developing the highest quality of theatre art, and to the serious investigation and perpetuation of the experiences and aesthetics of Black theatre.

Objectives

  1. To train and educate theatre artist-scholars by providing students with a broad-based foundation of theatre process and practice.
  2. To provide students with diverse theatre experiences and to investigate and perpetuate the aesthetics of African-American theatre.
  3. To provide students with a knowledge of and appreciation for related Fine and Performing Arts disciplines and how they are integrated into the practice of theatre.
  4. To provide students with the basic techniques necessary for performance in theatre, film and television.

The curriculum for each area of concentration is administered by an Area Coordinator who is appointed by the Chairman of the Department. Students enrolled in a Theatre Arts program shall be advised by the appropriate Area Coordinator.

All Theatre Arts students must officially declare an area of concentration and successfully complete an audition and/or interview in that area. Official declaration can only be made by filing a completed Area of Concentration Declaration Form with the appropriate area coordinator and conducting a final interview with the Departmental Chairman. All Theatre Arts students must pass the English and Mathematics Placement examination. Otherwise, the student must successfully complete the required remedial courses.

Majors

The Department of Theatre Arts offers several major areas of concentrated study which lead to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts. Areas of concentration in Theatre Arts include the Performing Arts: Acting, Musical Theatre, and Dance; Theatre Arts Administration and Theatre Technology.

 

Minors

Minors in Theatre Arts, Dance Arts, Theatre Arts Administration, Technical Theatre, and Playwriting are also available to non-Theatre Arts students.

 

Admissions

All Applications require department review. Prospective students are not automatically accepted by the Department of Theatre Arts once they declare Theatre Arts as their area of interest. After review of pertinent data, the Department makes the final determination about admissions to its programs.

 

General Requirements

All theatre arts students must satisfy the general requirements for admission to the University.Once accepted to the University, students interested in performance programs of study (Acting,Musical Theatre, Dance) will prepare for auditions and students interested in administration and technical areas (Theatre Arts Administration, Theatre Technology) will prepare for interviews.

All transfer students must meet the requirements outlined on the College of Arts and Sciences’ website:  http://www.coas.howard.edu./requirements.html#tc. In addition, all transfer students must successfully complete an audition/ interview in the area of concentration in which they are intending to enter, before being accepted in the Department of Theatre Arts.  This process must occur before arriving on campus.  At that time level placement usually occurs and that will determine which courses will be accepted in the discipline.  General education courses may also require that equivalences be verified by the appropriate Department on campus.  All transfer students are advised that transferring into the Department of Theatre Arts does not excuse the taking of prescribed sequential courses necessary for successful completion of the area of concentration.  Furthermore, transferring into the Department may require additional time and resources to complete the chosen area of concentration. 

Guidelines for Exchange Students

  1. The student must have a 2.75 grade point average or better and be in good standing in the department.
  2. Student must have a grade of "C" or better in all courses required for his/her area of concentration.
  3. The student must submit a letter to the Chairman requesting an exchange program of study along with official descriptions of the courses from the catalogue that will be taken at the exchange school. This information will be forwarded to the appropriate coordinator, then presented to the Faculty who will make the final determination on the request.
  4. The student must also file the appropriate forms in the Office of International Student Services. This includes submitting a transcript and an interview with appropriate authorities.

 

THEATRE ARTS DEGREE PROGRAMS

 

Acting

The objectives of the Acting concentration are designed to provide the student the opportunity to master the acting skills necessary for pursuit of a professional career in the areas of performing arts. The program combines classroom instruction with rehearsal and performance techniques. The program is divided into three levels of training: Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced. Specific skills are emphasized at each level. A jury examination is required each semester of all acting students. A satisfactory jury examination is necessary for a passing grade in all Acting classes.

 

Musical Theatre

The purpose of the Musical Theatre Performance concentration is to produce professional artist/scholars with the ability to excel on any theatrical stage, including but not limited to, Broadway, Off-Broadway, touring, regional, international, cabaret and concert (both major and minor), commercial and not-for-profit. The program asserts that beginning with intense self-discovery and exploration, matched with dedicated focus on foundational technique, followed by an unyielding diligence towards artistic and scholarly excellence, performers become creative, high-quality artists. The program works to facilitate not just the creation of performers who are highly skilled technicians of singing, dancing, and acting but passionate artists with a deep respect for the craft, who use musical theatre to communicate with audiences about our shared human condition.

 

Dance

The Dance program is designed to educate, train, and develop talented students in the performance skills of dance. The program combines theoretical classroom instruction, studio techniques and rehearsal, and performance skills. The student is provided with the opportunity of technical development with guest artists, internships with major performance companies, and critical guidance in level placement and training. Entry requirements for dance students include auditions and interviews and exit requirements involve passing a jury examination. A major emphasis in this program is the successful completion of the practicum experience in the senior year.

 

Theatre Arts Administration

The Theatre Arts Administration program is intended for students who express an interest in and an inclination toward the production and managerial aspects of theatre. The program is based on the philosophy that a successful career in Theatre Arts Administration requires knowledge of modern business practices coupled with a comprehensive background in theatre. The focus of this area of concentration is directed toward the study of both theatre arts core courses, as well as courses in business, which relate to the disciplines of Management, Legal Environments, Marketing, and Finance. In addition, the premise of the Theatre Arts Administration program is to impart to the student the three characteristics that embody a successful arts organization: artistic quality, public service, and fiscal responsibility. A major emphasis in this program is the preparation for the successful completion of an appropriate internship.

 

Theatre Technology

The Theatre Technology program is designed to educate, train and inspire talented students in the technology of live theatre. It is expected that students who successfully complete this course of study will eventually become accomplished technical directors and theatre technicians in community, educational, regional and/or professional theatres as well as accomplished planners or consultants in other semi-related occupational fields.