Theatre Arts, B.A.

Purpose Statement

Our purpose is to encourage, promote, and sustain both a nurturing and challenging educational environment. Utilizing a liberal arts and science approach, theatre arts at SUU engages all students in a set of diverse experiences intended to cultivate their aesthetic, creative, and scholarly potential. The central tenet of our purpose is to provide exceptional teaching with personalized mentorship that challenges, enables, and grows the learner to be a dynamic individual.

Intended Outcomes/Objectives for Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Science Degree in Theatre Arts

A successful student will:

• Develop visual and aural perceptions for theatre performance.
• Understand basic production processes (i.e. performing, acting, stage direction, design, and the necessary technical operations related to production).
• Become familiar with the historical and cultural dimensions of theatre.
• Make informed assessments of quality in works of theatre and other related art forms.
• Explore post-baccalaureate opportunities with faculty guidance starting a minimum of one year before graduation.
• Have the opportunity to attend professional conferences and festivals and work with artists in residence and/or guest artists.
• Function in a variety of artistic roles through the presentation of public performances.

Other Information

• Students will complete a Capstone connected to a realized project. The Capstone consists of a written paper and an oral presentation to faculty of the concept, process, and realization of the project, together with an assessment of the student’s entire learning experience and its impact on the work as a whole. Students who show areas of deficiency may pass with qualifications. In these cases an individualized learning strategy will be developed to be completed before graduation.
• Student assessment takes place annually through audition or portfolio review for all theatre majors to assess progress and determine each student’s level of skill and competency.
• Exit interviews will be held for all graduating seniors.
• Students will have the opportunity to have their skills assessed by professionals/guest artists working in the industry and/or graduate school programs.
• Students will engage in the enrichment of the University and local community through the presentation of artistic works in theatre.
• Every student will be assigned a faculty/staff mentor. The student/mentor relationship is critical to success and progress within the program.
• Every student is required to abide by the policies and procedures set up in the Departmental Student Handbook: https://www.suu.edu/pva/ta/pdf/student-handbook.pdf.
• Every student is required to pass all classes in their major with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher.

Advanced Placement

Students who meet specific levels of competency may be given advanced placement. All students seeking advanced placement must audition, interview and/or present a portfolio for consideration. Additional testing may be required.