Theatre, B.A.

With areas of study focusing on acting, directing, design, stage management and technical theatre, our theatre majors get a comprehensive performing arts education. Our nationally accredited program offers a conservatory-style environment with a low student-to-faculty ratio, providing each student with personal attention and the capability to tailor the learning experience to their individual interests. In addition to specific training and skills learned in acting, design and technical areas, our students gain skills in collaboration, project management, creative problem-solving, communication and leadership. 

Theatre majors participate in productions in our performance venues, including an arena stage (one of the few in the region), a proscenium stage, a black box “laboratory” space which highlights undergraduate talent and includes access to a full costume shop and scenic studio. Majors also benefit from our guest artist program, which brings in professional directors, actors and designers from all over the world.  

Learning Outcomes

Students will develop the ability to think critically by producing text analysis of playscripts as well as written critiques of department productions. They will demonstrate skills in preparing text analysis from the various viewpoints of all theatre collaborators.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the collaborative process as an important aspect of the artistic process in theatrical performances.
Students will develop an artistic process by demonstrating the knowledge, vocabulary, and application of training and skills presented in classroom production projects and/or departmental theatre productions.
Students will demonstrate a general knowledge of significant developments in the history of western theatre and drama through the investigation of plays, playwrights, actors, productions, and the physical development of theatres from the time of the Ancient Greeks to the present.
Students will develop the ability to think critically by producing text analysis of playscripts as well as written critiques of department productions. They will demonstrate skills in preparing text analysis from the various viewpoints of all theatre collaborators.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the collaborative process as an important aspect of the artistic process in theatrical performances.
Students will develop an artistic process by demonstrating the knowledge vocabulary and application of training and skills presented in classroom production projects and/or departmental theatre productions.
Students will demonstrate a general knowledge of significant developments in the history of western theatre and drama through the investigation of plays playwrights actors productions and the physical development of theatres from the time of the Ancient Greeks to the present.
Students will develop the ability to think critically by producing text analysis of playscripts as well as written critiques of department productions. They will demonstrate skills in preparing text analysis from the various viewpoints of all theatre collaborators.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the collaborative process as an important aspect of the artistic process in theatrical performances.
Students will develop an artistic process by demonstrating the knowledge vocabulary and application of training and skills presented in classroom production projects and/or departmental theatre productions.
Students will demonstrate a general knowledge of significant developments in the history of western theatre and drama through the investigation of plays playwrights actors productions and the physical development of theatres from the time of the Ancient Greeks to the present.

Admissions

Entrance Requirements

New freshmen who meet University admissions standards are eligible for admission to degree programs offered by the college. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another college on the Columbia campus must be in good standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another USC campus must fulfill one of the following requirements:

Be in good standing, meet the admission requirements for a baccalaureate degree on the Columbia campus, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
Be in good standing and have completed 30 semester hours with a GPA of 2.00 or higher on a USC campus.

Some programs in the College of Arts and Sciences have special admission requirements established by the department or committee that supervises the specific degree program, for example, Cardiovascular Technology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Economics, Environmental Science, the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. These requirements are listed in the sections of this bulletin that describe department and special degree programs.

Degree Requirements (120 hours)

Program of Study

Program Summary
Requirements	Credit Hours
1. Carolina Core	32-44
2. College Requirements	15-18
3. Program Requirements	18-42
4. Major Requirements	31-40

Founding Documents Requirement

All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers. This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective. Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.

1. Carolina Core Requirements (32-44 hours)

CMW – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

any CC-CMW course

ARP – Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (6-8 hours)

any CC-ARP course

SCI – Scientific Literacy (8 hours)

two 4-credit hour CC-SCI laboratory science courses

GFL – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-6 hours)

Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.

CC-GFL courses

It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.

GHS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours)

any CC-GHS course

GSS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours)

any CC-GSS course

AIU – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)

any CC-AIU course

CMS – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component¹ (0-3 hours)

any overlay or stand-alone CC-CMS course

INF – Information Literacy¹ (0-3 hours)

any overlay or stand-alone CC-INF course

VSR – Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility¹ (0-3 hours)

any overlay or stand-alone CC-VSR course

¹: Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.

2. College Requirements (15-18 hours)

Foreign Language (0-3 hours)

only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency

History (3 hours)

The College of Arts and Sciences requires one additional GHS course beyond the Carolina Core GHS requirement.

If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course.
If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a U.S. history course.

Please select the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement from the approved list of U.S. and non-U.S. history courses.

Social Science and Fine Arts or Humanities (12 hours)

Social Science (3 hours)
- The College of Arts and Science requires one 3- hour Social Science Course
Fine Arts/Humanities (9 Hours)
- A Bachelor of Arts from the College of Arts and Sciences requires three 3-hour Fine Arts/Humanities Courses

THEA 201*

3. Program Requirements (18-42 hours)

Supporting Courses (0-6 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
Select 6 hours of dramatic literature from the following: ¹		6
ENGL 395	Classical Drama
ENGL 404	English Drama to 1660
ENGL 405	Shakespeare's Tragedies
ENGL 406	Shakespeare’s Comedies and Histories
ENGL 414	English Drama Since 1660
ENGL 424	American Drama
ENGL/AFAM/THEA 565	African American Theatre
THEA 563	History of Modern Theatre

¹: May apply towards fulfillment of the cognate or minor

Cognate or Minor (12-18 hours)

Students must complete a cognate (12 hours) or a minor as part of this program. In lieu of a cognate or minor, an additional major may be added to a student’s program of study. Additional majors must include all major courses as well as any prescribed courses noted (*) in the bulletin. Prescribed courses noted in the bulletin may be shared with Carolina Core, College requirements, and Program requirements in the primary program.

Cognate (12 hours)

The cognate must consist of twelve (12) hours of courses at the advanced level, outside of but related to the major. The cognate may be taken in one or more departments or programs.

Courses offered by departments and programs that are acceptable for cognate credit are outlined in the section titled Courses Acceptable for Cognate Credit in Degree Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. Some major programs have specific cognate requirements. It should be emphasized that the cognate is not a second set of elective courses to be chosen at random by the student. Students are urged to consult their major advisors for specific requirements in their major.

For Bachelor of Arts degrees, all cognate courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

Minor (18 hours)

In place of the cognate a student in the College of Arts and Sciences may choose a minor consisting of at least 18 credit hours of prescribed courses.

The minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. It differs from the cognate inasmuch as the courses must follow a structured sequence.

Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University.

A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z.

Electives (0-30 hours)

120 (or 128) degree applicable credits are required to complete any degree at UofSC. After the cognate, minor or second major is complete, any additional credits needed to reach 120 (or 128) total credits can be fulfilled by electives. No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.

4. Major Requirements (31-40 hours)

Students may choose to complete the general major in Theatre (31 hours), or they may choose to complete a Theatre major with a concentration in Design and Technology or in Performance (40 hours).

A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses.

Major Courses (19 hours)

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
THEA 270	Beginning Acting	3
THEA 280	Elements of Design for Theatre Production	3
THEA 561	History of the Theatre I	3
THEA 562	History of the Theatre II	3
THEA 490	Theatre Capstone Course	3
or THEA 578	Play Direction I
Theatre Production Laboratory: ¹
THEA 120	Laboratory Theatre Production	1
THEA 121	Theatre Running Crew Laboratory.	1
Select two hours from the following:		2
THEA 122	Theatre Performance Laboratory
THEA 123	Theatre Production Studio
THEA 221	Stage Management Laboratory
Total Credit Hours		19

¹: All Theatre lab courses maybe repeated for credit. THEA 120 and THEA 121 are required Laboratory credits. THEA 120 must be completed within the first year of declaring the Theatre major.

Major Electives (12 hours)

Select 6 hours from THEA 200-300 level
Select 6 hours from THEA 400 level or above

Major with Concentration in Design and Technology (40 hours)

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
THEA 270	Beginning Acting	3
THEA 280	Elements of Design for Theatre Production	3
THEA 561	History of the Theatre I	3
THEA 562	History of the Theatre II	3
THEA 490	Theatre Capstone Course	3
or THEA 578	Play Direction I
Select two hours from the following: ¹		2
THEA 120	Laboratory Theatre Production
THEA 121	Theatre Running Crew Laboratory.
Select two hours from the following:		2
THEA 123	Theatre Production Studio
THEA 221	Stage Management Laboratory
Select two courses from the following:		6
THEA 225	Introduction to Stage Management
THEA 230	Make-up Design for Theatre and Film
THEA 252	Stage Costume Construction
THEA 253	Stagecraft
THEA 283	Introduction to Theatre Sound Design
THEA 288	Introduction to Stage Lighting
Select five courses from the following:		15
THEA 380	Production Design for Theatre
THEA 425	Advanced Stage Management
THEA 452	Special Topics in Costume Technology
THEA 453	Computer Aided Drafting for Theatre
THEA 489	Introduction to Costume Design
THEA 530	Period Styles for Wig and Hair Design
THEA 550	History of Costume
THEA 552	Costume Flat Patterning
THEA 553	Advanced Stagecraft
THEA 555	Scene Painting for the Stage
THEA 556	Stage Design
THEA 557	Advanced Scenic Design
THEA 558	Costume Draping
THEA 582	Costume Design
THEA 583	Advanced Practice in Sound Design
THEA 588	Stage Light Design I
THEA 589	Adv. Stage Lighting Des. II
Total Credit Hours		40

Major with Concentration in Performance (40 hours)

Course List
Course	Title	Credits
THEA 270	Beginning Acting	3
THEA 280	Elements of Design for Theatre Production	3
THEA 561	History of the Theatre I	3
THEA 562	History of the Theatre II	3
THEA 490	Theatre Capstone Course	3
or THEA 578	Play Direction I
Select two hours from the following: ¹		2
THEA 120	Laboratory Theatre Production
THEA 121	Theatre Running Crew Laboratory.
Select two hours from the following:		2
THEA 122	Theatre Performance Laboratory
THEA 221	Stage Management Laboratory
Complete the following:
THEA 240	Beginning Voice and Speech	3
THEA 370	Intermediate Acting	3
THEA 372	Acting from a Physical Point of View	3
THEA 390	Beginning Acting for the Camera	3
Select one from the following:		3
THEA 570	Advanced Acting I
THEA 571	Advanced Acting II
THEA 590	Advanced Acting for the Camera
Select one course from the following:		3
THEA 230	Make-up Design for Theatre and Film
THEA 241	Voice and Speech Studio
THEA 340	Literature and Performance
THEA 359	Theatrical Imagery
THEA 369	Japanese Culture and Society through Theatre
THEA 373	Movement Laboratory
THEA 375	Inner Mastery Thought Movement
THEA 399	Independent Study and Research
Select one course from the following:		3
THEA 440	Advanced Voice and Speech for the Actor.
THEA 442	Accents and Dialects for the Actor
THEA 444	Voice Over and Voice Acting
THEA 450	Musical Theatre Workshop
THEA 527	Applied Theatre Arts
THEA 540	Voice and Movement: Practice and Performance
THEA 563	History of Modern Theatre
THEA 565	African American Theatre
THEA 567	Dramatic Theory I
THEA 568	Dramatic Theory II
THEA 569	Dramaturgy
THEA 570	Advanced Acting I
THEA 571	Advanced Acting II
THEA 575	Rehearsal and Performance
THEA 576	Rehearsal and Performance
THEA 577	Special Topics in Physical Theatre
THEA 578	Play Direction I
THEA 579	Play Direction II
THEA 581	Film as Performance
THEA 586	The Articulate Body
THEA 587	Film and Television Acting
THEA 599	Special Topics in Theatre
Total Credit Hours		40

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Theatre, B.A.

Theatre, B.A. Design and Technology

Theatre, B.A. Performance

2024-2025 Academic Bulletin