Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

Overview

The Theatre Program focuses on developing a broad base of knowledge, mastery of skills, and identification of personal goals in order to produce well-rounded artists and craftsmen. Students seeking graduate studies will be assisted by a faculty advisor who will aid the student in preparing portfolios and acting auditions. Our purpose is to aid the student in integrating academic, cultural, and Christian disciplines into his/her world.

In keeping with the institution’s Statement of Purpose, this program seeks to enable students to integrate academic disciplines, Christian lifestyle, and an enriched cultural experience by offering course work that produces well-rounded artists and practitioners for the future. Educating the whole person is achieved through an integrated program of academic, cultural, and spiritual disciplines.

The goals of the Theatre Program at North Greenville University are that upon successful completion of the BA in Theatre, the graduate will:

Demonstrate vocal and physical abilities in order to communicate dramatic texts.
Research theatrical history using library materials, databases, and resources.
Develop a Christian perspective on culture and morality as they pertain to scripts and productions.
Demonstrate ability to collaborate with and lead other theatre practitioners in order to develop conceptual ideas for productions.
Produce professional quality theatre resumes and/or portfolios and demonstrate competent interview techniques.
Demonstrate basic theatre tool and technical skill knowledge in order to physically mount or run a production. A two-semester internship with local theatres and a senior seminar is required.

Objective

Students pursuing a BA degree in Theatre will select an area of specialization and, under the guidance of an advisor, will shape their course selections, internships, and summer work to maximize their preparation for graduate or professional work. All majors will take a core of theatre courses so that they are all generalists; in addition, they will concentrate themselves in an emphasis so that they become specialists in that area.

Students may select a track at any time in their freshman or sophomore year. All majors must select a track no later than the second semester of their sophomore year. At that time, they will begin to follow the requirements of their track under the guidance of a faculty advisor.

Concentration Description

The Performance concentration is designed for students who wish to explore a wide range of theatre disciplines while focusing on performance. This concentration provides a solid foundation in theatre arts, including courses in design, history, literature, and more. In addition, students will receive advanced training in acting, voice, and movement, preparing them for various career paths or further study in the field of performance.

The Design/Tech concentration is tailored for students interested in exploring various aspects of theatre design and technology. This concentration offers a comprehensive education in theatre arts, including courses in acting, history, literature, and more. Additionally, students will receive specialized training in set, lighting, and costume design, scenic art and advanced stagecraft, preparing them for various career paths or further study in design and technical theatre.

The Musical Theatre concentration provides students with a broad-based education in both music and theatre. By leveraging the resources of the NGU Cline School of Music and the NGU Theatre Department, students gain access to diverse faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and extensive production experience. Students will have opportunities to perform on campus and will be supported in auditioning for roles in local Greenville theatres and regional summer stock auditions. While focusing on musical theatre performance, students can also receive training in classical singing and acting, light opera, and classical dramatic literature. Additionally, the program emphasizes a well-rounded theatrical education, with students gaining hands-on experience backstage, in the scene shop, and in the control booth, learning the intricacies of stage design and technology and earning valuable resume credits.

Degree Requirements