B.A. in Theatre

Contact Person:
Leslie Delosh, Department Secretary,
(315) 267-2556, deloshle@potsdam.edu

Chair:
James W. Pecora
238 Satterlee, (315) 267-2547, pecorajw@potsdam.edu

38-41 credit hours required.
 
All courses must be passed with a grade of 2.0 or higher to count towards the major.

The Theatre Major is designed to provide a thorough undergraduate study in all aspects of the theatrical arts. It prepares students for successful participation in professional theatre activities after graduation or for further study in graduate school.

The required courses, integrated with an active production program, introduce students to the theoretical and practical aspects of acting, directing, technical theatre, design, history and dramatic literature. Additional advanced course offerings, participation in theatrical productions, and internships provide further opportunities to individualize and broaden the student’s undergraduate experience and skills.

Auditions for the theatre productions are open to all SUNY Potsdam students. Interested students, regardless of major, are also invited to join the Student Government Association organization, Theatre Guild. Theatre Guild sponsors student-directed productions, and its members participate by directing, designing, and performing.

Students majoring in theatre may also elect to complete a minor in Acting or Design and Production, Non-theatre majors may pursue their interests by minoring in Acting, Design and Technical Theatre, or Theatre Studies.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted. Credits are divided as follows:                                                                                                       

    Credits
Required Courses
29
DRAM 101 Introduction to Performance Studies
DRAM 206 Stagecraft and Production (4 credits)  
DRAM 210 Interpretation and Analysis of Plays  
DRAM 251 Foundations of Design for Stage (4 credits)  
DRAM 312 Theatre History I  
DRAM 313 Theatre History II  
DRAM 414 Contemporary Theatre Topics  
DRAM 485-497 Special Project in Theatre Arts  
One of the following:
  
  DRAM 120
   Performance Explorations
  
  DRAM 235   Introduction to Acting
  

Upper Division Electives
9-12
DRAM 302 Directing I  
DRAM 331 Costume Design  
DRAM 333 Stage Make up and Mask Design (4 credits)  
DRAM 336 Scene Study and Realism (4 credits)  
DRAM 337 Shakespeare and Verse  
DRAM 338 Audition Techniques  
DRAM 343 Advanced Stagecraft and Production
  
DRAM 353 Scene Design  
DRAM 355 Lighting Design for the Stage
  
DRAM 363 Theatre for Young Audiences  
DRAM 364 Applied Theatre  
DRAM 403 Directing II (4 credits)  
DRAM 438 Acting for Camera  
DRAM 439 Comedy and Comic Styles  
DRAM 441 Pivotal Playwrights  

Notes

  1. All students are required to complete a Senior Project in Theatre Arts during the senior year with approval of a faculty adviser and the department (for a minimum of 3 credits). The project may be taken as one of the Senior Projects courses (DRAM 485-497) or as an Internship (INTD ***) with approval of the Director of Internships.
  2. Theatre Majors are required to attend all Theatre and Dance productions.


Theatre Major Policies on Student Grades and Performing

Any student receiving a grade of 1.0 or less for any course offered through the Department of Theatre and Dance will be ineligible for casting in any student directed or choreographed production during the semester immediately following the semester in which the failing grade is issued. Eligibility in faculty directed or choreographed productionswill be left to the discretion of the directing faculty member and the Department Chair.