Theatre Arts Education (B.A., B.S.)

Student Success Advisor(s)

Sample Degree Plan

Program Summary

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.

Intended Outcomes/Objectives Specific to Theatre Education

Beyond the outcomes for all B.A./B.S. degrees in theatre, a successful theatre education student will:

• Be prepared to become educators who utilize the discipline of theatre as a catalyst in understanding the complex nature of the human condition, artistic exploration and appreciation, and the interrelationship of individual expression and student growth.
• Possess strong competence in and understanding of the relationship between theatre performance, production, literature, theatre history, theory, criticism, and technical skills through which a theatrical concept is realized.
• Through theatre, use educational theories and strategies, teaching students the integral process of artistic creation from conception to realization.
• Demonstrate advanced skills in collaboratively directing productions and an ability to create a variety of types of performances.
• Have a working knowledge of the state of Utah Arts Core Curriculum, as well as state and national theatre education standards combined with skills in creating a scope and sequence, instruction, and assessment in classroom instruction.

Program Information

• All courses must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better to be counted in the major.
• 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.
• Every student is required to abide by the policies and procedures set up in the Departmental Student Handbook (see www.suu.edu/pva/ta/pdf/student-handbook.pdf).
• Theatre Arts Education majors must complete either secondary licensure or a minor in addition to their major requirements. Students seeking secondary licensure are strongly encouraged to pursue a teaching minor or other endorsements.
• Students will complete a Capstone which will develop original scholarship that critically evaluates and analyzes their creative practice through a written and oral defense presentation to faculty within their discipline.