School of Theatre and Dance
Mission Statement
The School of Theatre and Dance is rooted in the belief that the relevant artist is the thinking artist who couples the mastery and embodiment of concrete skills with knowledge of and sensitivity to the cultural environments of ideas, artistic forms and other persons. The school trains and educates artists, scholars and teachers in the rich traditions and current practices of dance, theatre and musical theatre. Dedicated to the value of the intensive B.A., the school's programs blend liberal arts education and critical thinking with intensive, pre-professional training and practice. Faculty foster an environment that values and cultivates creative, passionate, disciplined, curious, innovative, engaged, articulate, collaborative and independent-thinking artists and scholars. Committed to a teaching approach that emphasizes mentorship and individual attention to students, faculty members of the school empower students in the development of their own personal strengths, provide them with tools and opportunities to realize their potential, and equip them for successful work in professional environments, graduate programs and as lifelong learners.
Goals
To realize this mission, the School of Theatre and Dance strives to:
- Develop in students the ability to work productively and sensitively in creative and collaborative processes.
- Offer multiple opportunities for students to self-initiate and self-produce work in a context supportive of experimentation.
- Produce performances and creative experiences of high quality.
- Present performances by and learning experiences with visiting artists.
- Motivate students to take active responsibility for their work, processes and careers.
- Promote, support and enable faculty professional development so that teachers continue to provide the education for students that only growing, current and active creative artists and scholars can provide.
- Inspire and prepare students to be advocates for the arts.
- Foster an understanding of the roles of the artist and the arts in society.
- Advance dynamic partnerships with diverse communities.
Career Opportunities
For information about career opportunities in theatre and dance, contact the appropriate coordinator:
Dr. Dennis Beck, Theatre Coordinator
Ms. Cynthia Thompson, Dance Coordinator
Ms. Kate Arecchi, Musical Theatre Coordinator
Co-curricular Activities and Organizations
The School of Theatre and Dance offers a number of co-curricular activities and organizations. They allow students to apply and experiment with the theories they learn in the classroom and gain practical experience in their field.
- Alpha Psi Omega
- Children's Playshop
- Contemporary Dance Ensemble
- Dance Studio Productions
- Dance Theatre
- Studio Theatre Productions
- Experimental Series Productions
- Mainstage Productions
- Nu Delta Alpha
- Stratford Players
- Virginia Repertory Dance Company
- USITT Student Chapter
Special Admission and Retention Requirements
Admission to the dance concentration is competitive and an audition/interview is required. Contact the school office by calling (540) 568-6342 or visit the School of Theatre and Dance website for current audition information.
Admission to the musical theatre concentration is competitive and an audition/interview is required. Contact the school office by calling (540) 568-6342 or visit the School of Theatre and Dance website for current audition information.
Admission to the theatre concentration is competitive and an audition or portfolio review and interview is required. Contact the school office by calling (540) 568-6342 or visit the School of Theatre and Dance website for current audition information.
A grade of "C" or better must be achieved in all courses that apply to a major in the School of Theatre and Dance. All School of Theatre and Dance majors must complete the General Education program. Theatre/Musical Theatre concentration students cannot take GTHEA 210, Introduction to Theatre to meet the fine arts/aesthetics requirements. Courses from other departments may not be counted both for the School of Theatre and Dance major and for another major.
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance
The School of Theatre and Dance offers one B.A. major with a choice of three concentrations: theatre, dance or musical theatre. A theatre and dance major must fulfill core requirements and the requirements of a particular concentration.
Degree Requirements
| Required Courses | Credit Hours |
| General Education 1 | 41 |
| Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required) 2 | 0-14 |
| Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses) | 3 |
| University electives | 4-31 |
| Major requirements (listed below) | 42-58 |
| 120 | |
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student's chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures' placement test.
Major Requirements
All students pursuing a B.A. degree in the School of Theatre and Dance must complete the core requirements listed below.
| Core Requirements | Credit Hours |
| Choose one of the following: | 2 |
| DANC 140. Elementary Modern Dance 1 | |
| DANC 142. Elementary Ballet | |
| DANC 143. International Folk Dance | |
| DANC 144. Ballroom Dance | |
| DANC 146. Jazz Dance 2 | |
| DANC 147. Tap Dance | |
| DANC 245. Dance Improvisation 1 | |
| THEA/DANC 171. Performance Production | 3 |
| THEA 273. Visual Aspects | 3 |
| 8 | |
1 DANC 140 and DANC 245 are not core options for the dance concentration.
2 DANC 146 is not a core option for the musical theatre concentration.
In addition to meeting the core requirements, students must choose a concentration and complete the concentration requirements. The concentrations and their requirements are listed here.
Coordinator: Dr. Dennis C. Beck
Phone: (540) 568-6386
| Courses | Credit Hours |
| Core Courses | 8 |
| Concentration General Requirements | 22 |
| THEA 200 or THEA 300. Theatre Practicum | |
| Choose four different areas of main stage productions for one credit each | |
| from scenery, lighting, costumes, management or performance | |
| THEA 211. Performance Analysis | |
| THEA 251. Acting I: Basic Acting | |
| THEA 315. The European Theatre Tradition to 1800 | |
| THEA 316. The European Theatre Tradition from 1800 | |
| THEA 481. Theory and Performance Studies | |
| Choose one of the following: | |
| THEA 441. Senior Seminar in Theatre | |
| THEA 499. Honors Thesis 1 | |
| Concentration Performance Requirements (choose one) | 3 |
| THEA 351. Acting II: Intermediate Acting | |
| THEA 355. Directing | |
| Concentration Design/Technology Requirements | 3 |
| THEA 271. Technical Theatre | |
| THEA 331. Technical Costuming | |
| THEA 332. Survey of Costume | |
| THEA 333. Costume Design | |
| THEA 374. Stage Lighting | |
| THEA 376. Scene Design | |
| Track Options | 9 |
| (Theatre concentrators may fulfill the requirements for one or more tracks or | |
| simply complete nine THEA credits not already applied to the major.) 2 | |
| Theatre Studies Track | |
| Choose any nine THEA credits not already applied to the major or six THEA | |
| credits and one of the following courses: | |
| THEA 449. London Theatre | |
| THEA/ENG 485. American Theatre | |
| ENG 333. Modern Drama | |
| ENG 334.Contemporary Drama | |
| ENG 317. Shakespeare's Tragedies and Romances | |
| ENG 318. Shakespeare's Comedies and Histories | |
| ENG 320L. Shakespeare on the Page and Stage in London | |
| Performance Track | |
| THEA 452. Acting III: Contemporary Scene Study | |
| THEA 453. Acting IV: Approaches to Heightened Language | |
| THEA 460. Auditioning and Professional Issues | |
| Design/Technology Track | |
| Choose two courses not already applied to the major: | |
| THEA 333. Costume Design | |
| THEA 374. Stage Lighting | |
| THEA 376. Scene Design | |
| Choose one course not already applied to the major: | |
| THEA 271. Technical Theatre | |
| THEA 331. Technical Costuming | |
| THEA 332. Survey of Costume | |
| THEA 336. Stage Makeup | |
| THEA 371. Advanced Technical Theatre | |
| THEA 471. Stage Management | |
| THEA 473. Advanced Design and Rendering | |
| THEA 390/490. Special Topics (with permission) | |
| Theatre Education Track | |
| (Students who complete the theatre education track earn K-12 teaching | |
| licensure in theatre. This track requires 12 THEA credits.) | |
| THEA 303. Topics in Theatre (Methods - Primary) | |
| THEA 303. Topics in Theatre (Methods - Secondary) | |
| THEA 310. Theatre for Young Audiences | |
| THEA 490. Special Studies in Theatre (Practicum) | |
| For the theatre education track, the following courses (20 credit hours) are | |
| required in addition to the track courses with THEA designations. | |
| GPSYC 160. Life Span Human Development (may double count) | |
| EDUC 360. Foundations of American Education | |
| EDUC 480. Student Teaching | |
| READ 420. Content Area Literacy, K-12 | |
| 45 | |
1 THEA 390, Directed Projects; THEA 490, Special Studies; THEA 499, Honors; No more than four hours of practicums may be applied to the theatre concentration, and no more than 10 hours of special studies (including practicums) may be applied to the theatre concentration.
2 Students in tracks receive track-related advising. In order to formally pursue a track option, students must apply for the track at the end of the sophomore year.
Recommended Schedule for Theatre Concentration
First Year
THEA 171. Performance Production
THEA 211. Performance Analysis
Theatre Concentration General Requirements
Second Year
THEA 273. Visual Aspects
THEA 315. The European Theatre Tradition to 1800
THEA 316. The European Theatre Tradition from 1800
Theatre Concentration General Requirements
Theatre Concentration Performance or Design/Technology Requirement
Dance Core Requirement
Third Year
THEA 481. Theory and Performance Studies
Theatre Concentration General Requirements
Theatre Concentration Performance or Design/Technology Requirements
Track Requirements
Fourth Year
THEA 441. Senior Seminar in Theatre
Theatre Concentration Performance or Design/Technology Requirements
Track Requirements
Coordinator: Cynthia Thompson
Phone: (540) 568-3926
| Courses | Credit Hours |
| Core Requirements | 8 |
| Dance Concentration Requirements: | |
| DANC 245. Dance Improvisation | 2 |
| DANC 248. History of Dance | 3 |
| DANC 320. Anatomy and Somatic Studies for the Dancer | 3 |
| DANC 345. Dance Composition I | 3 |
| DANC 445. Dance Composition II | 3 |
| DANC 449. The Dance Professional | 3 |
| DANC 479. Methods of Teaching Dance | 3 |
| Select four credits from the following courses: 1 | 4 |
| DANC 240. Intermediate Modern Dance I | |
| DANC 340. Intermediate Modern Dance II | |
| Select four credits from the following courses: | 4 |
| DANC 242. Intermediate Ballet I | |
| DANC 342. Intermediate Ballet II | |
| DANC 110. Associate Group Dance Repertory I | 1 |
| DANC 210. Associate Group Dance Repertory II | 1 |
| DANC 211 A, B. Contemporary Dance Ensemble Repertory I | 2 |
| DANC 311 A, B. Contemporary Dance Ensemble Repertory II | 2 |
| 42 | |
1 The student is required to complete four credits each in modern and ballet technique at the intermediate to advanced-intermediate level, with placement to be assessed in conference with dance faculty. Modern, ballet and jazz technique classes all have an advanced level course in the curriculum. The requirements listed above are the minimum level expected of dance concentration students. Most majors will take technique courses as university electives throughout their study in the dance program.
Recommended Schedule for Dance Concentration
First Year
DANC 110. Associate Ensemble (fall)
DANC 171. Performance Production
DANC 210. Associate Ensemble (spring)
DANC 240. Intermediate Modern (fall and spring)
DANC 242 or DANC 342. Intermediate I or Intermediate Ballet II
DANC 248. History of Dance
Second Year
THEA 273. Visual Aspects
DANC 143, DANC 144 or DANC 146. Folk, Ballroom or Jazz Dance
DANC 211. Contemporary Dance Ensemble Repertory I (fall)
DANC 245. Dance Improvisation
DANC 311. Contemporary Dance Ensemble Repertory II (spring)
DANC 340. Intermediate Modern II (fall and spring)
DANC 342 or DANC 442. Intermediate or Intermediate Ballet II
Third Year
DANC 320. Anatomy and Somatic Studies for the Dancer
DANC 345. Dance Composition I
DANC 479. Methods of Teaching Dance
DANC 411 or DANC 312. Contemporary Dance Ensemble
Repertory III or Virginia Repertory Co.
Other dance technique courses to fit the student's schedule.
Fourth Year
DANC 445. Dance Composition II
DANC 449. The Dance Professional
Other dance technique courses to fit the student's schedule.
Coordinator: Kate Arecchi
Phone: (540) 568-6009
| Courses | Credit Hours |
| Core requirements | 8 |
| Concentration requirements: | |
| THEA 211. Performance Analysis | 3 |
| THEA 251. Acting I: Basic Acting | 3 |
| THEA 200 or 300. Theatre Practicum | 4 |
| Choose three different areas of main stage production for one credit | |
| each from scenery, lighting, costumes or management and one additional credit in performance: | |
| THEA 315. The European Theatre Tradition to 1800 | 3 |
| THEA 316. The European Theatre Tradition from 1800 | 3 |
| THEA 351. Acting II: Intermediate Acting | 3 |
| THEA 353. Music Theatre Performance | 2 |
| THEA/MUS 357. Music Theatre History and Analysis | 3 |
| THEA 441. Senior Seminar in Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 454. Advanced Music Theatre Performance | 2 |
| One course from Music Theatre Electives list (see below) | 3 |
| DANC 146. Jazz Dance | 2 |
| DANC 246. Intermediate Jazz | 2 |
| DANC 346. Intermediate Jazz II/Musical Theatre Styles | 2 |
| MUAP 114. Group Voice for Musical Theatre Concentrators | 1 |
| MUAP 115. Group Voice for Theatre/Dance | 1 |
| MUAP 214. Private Voice for Musical Theatre Concentrators 1 | 4 |
| MUS 141. Theory I: Writing and Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 143. Theory I: Aural Perception and Analysis | 1 |
| MUS 100. Keyboarding Skills I | 1 |
| MUS 101. Keyboarding Skills II | 1 |
| 58 | |
1 Four enrollments of one credit each.
Musical Theatre Electives
THEA 271. Technical Theatre
THEA 331. Technical Costuming
THEA 332. Survey of Costume
THEA 333. Costume Design
THEA 336. History, Theory and Practice of Stage Make-Up
THEA 355. Directing
THEA 371. Advanced Technical Theatre
THEA 374. Stage Lighting
THEA 376. Scene Design
THEA 382. Contemporary Theatre
THEA 449. London Theatre
THEA 450. The Open Studio
THEA 471. Stage Management
THEA 481. Theory and Performance Studies
THEA 485. American Theatre
THEA 488. Experimental Theatre
Recommended Schedule for Musical Theatre Concentration
First Year
THEA 171. Performance Production
THEA 211. Performance Analysis
THEA 251. Acting I: Basic Acting
DANC 146. Jazz Dance
MUAP 114/115. Group Voice
Dance Core: (DANC 147. Tap Dance)
or MUS 100/101. Keyboard Skills I & II
Second Year
THEA 273. Visual Aspects of Theatre
MUS 100/101. Keyboard Skills I & II or Dance core (DANC 147. Tap)
THEA 315. The European Theatre Tradition to 1800
and/or THEA 316. The European Theatre Tradition from 1800
THEA 351. Acting II: Intermediate Acting
or MUS 141. Theory I: Writing and Analysis
and MUS 143. Theory I: Aural Perception and Analysis
DANC 246. Intermediate Jazz
MUAP 214. Private Voice
THEA 353. Music Theatre Performance
Third Year
THEA 316. The European Theatre Tradition From 1800
and/or THEA 315. The European Theatre Tradition to 1800
MUS 141. Theory I: Writing and Analysis
and MUS 143. Theory I: Aural Perception and Analysis
or THEA 351. Acting II: Intermediate Acting
DANC 346. Advanced Jazz/Musical Theatre Styles
MUS 214. Private Voice
Practicum
Fourth Year
THEA 454. Advanced Music Theater Performance
MUS/THEA 357. Music Theatre History and Analysis
Theatre elective
Practicum
Senior Seminar
Adviser: Suzanne Miller-Corso
Phone: (540) 568-3924
In addition to general education and theatre and dance requirements, students desiring PreK-12 teaching licensure in dance must complete 19 credits of additional course work in kinesiology, health science, education and psychology and 12 credits of student teaching. It is necessary to be admitted to the teacher education program prior to enrolling in professional education courses.
Course Requirements
Students seeking licensure are encouraged to consult regularly with the faculty adviser of dance education. The undergraduate degree leading to licensure must include the following minimum requirements in dance:
- Credit must be earned in each area: ballet, folk, jazz and modern dance (8 credits)
- Credit must be earned beyond the beginning level of ballet, folk, jazz and modern dance (3 credits)
- Credit must be earned in dance composition, dance improvisation and dance production (minimum of 7 credits)
- Credit must be earned in human anatomy, kinesiology, and injury prevention and care for dance (9 credits)
- Credit must be earned in history of dance (3 credits)
The following lists the required courses leading to PreK-12 dance licensure and recommends the sequence of when each may be taken:
| Courses | Credit Hours |
| KIN 202. Biological Foundations in Kinesiology and Recreation (fall, junior) | 3 |
| KIN 311. Elementary Curriculum in Physical Education (fall, junior) | 3 |
| ATEP 205. Introduction to Athletic Training (spring, junior) | 3 |
| DANC 490. Special Studies in Dance: Teaching Practicum | 2 |
| (prior to student teaching) | |
| 11 | |
| Required Education and Psychology Courses | Credit Hours |
| GPSYC 160. Life Span Human Development (may double count) | 3 |
| EDUC 360. Foundations of American Education | 3 |
| EDUC 480. Student Teaching | 12 |
| READ 420. Content Area Literacy, K-12 | 2 |
| 20 | |
The School of Theatre and Dance offers a minor with options in theatre or dance. The following chart outlines each option's specific requirements.
| Courses | Credit Hours |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 |
| THEA 171. Performance Production | |
| THEA 273. Visual Aspects | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 |
| GTHEA 210. Introduction to Theatre | |
| THEA 211. Performance Analysis | |
| Electives selected from the theatre-designated courses with the approval of the minor adviser | 15 |
| 21 | |
| Courses | Credit Hours |
| DANC 245. Dance Improvisation | 2 |
| DANC 248. History of Dance | 3 |
| Electives from contemporary dance techniques and/or folk and ballroom | 10 |
| techniques with approval of minor adviser | |
| Electives selected from dance-designated courses and/or dance related | 6 |
| courses at the 300 or 400 level with approval of minor adviser. | |
| 21 | |
Creative Writing Minor
The cross disciplinary minor in creative writing is designed to give students an opportunity to develop their writing talents across a number of literary forms and communication contexts.
Film Studies Minor
The cross disciplinary minor in film studies is designed for students who wish to extend their critical understanding of visual communication and narrative form by studying how movies tell stories, convey information and influence audiences.
Credit by Examination
A student may earn credit for a course in the School of Theatre and Dance by passing an examination. The school administers credit by examination tests during only the first two weeks of a fall or spring semester. The tests will not be offered during summer sessions. A student can take a credit by examination test only once during a semester.
A student must request permission for credit by examination by the end of the semester that precedes the semester in which he or she wants to take the examination. Theatre and dance majors who want to meet a major requirement through examination must take the examination before their final year of study. The school does not offer credit by examination for performance or design courses such as acting, directing, scene design, lighting design, costume design, makeup, stage management, dance technique, composition and ensembles.
