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Requirements for a Major in Theater Arts

Undergraduates in Theater Arts are expected to acquire basic skills in performance, design and production, dramatic literature, and theater history. These basic skills are developed in the core requirements. The remaining credits are met through a selected option, performance, design/production, or general, which provides for flexibility and allows a student to specialize in an area of interest.

Advising

Students are urged to contact the department office (110MCB) no later than the end of the second term in the major to complete an advising appointment. Advisors are Prof. Allen, Prof. Gauer, Prof. Keller, Prof. Magaldi, Prof. Parker, and Prof. Patton. Please consult the faculty profiles to find an advisor that matches your area of interest, e.g. performance, scene design, costuming, in the Major in Theater Arts. 

Requirements for a Major in Theater Arts 2009-10

TA 111, 112 Technical Theater I and II .....................6
TA 114, 115 Technical Theater Production I, II ..........2
TA 248 Acting I: Process............................................4
TA 252 Stage Makeup ................................................2
TA 301 Script Analysis...............................................4
TA 311 Scene Design I...............................................4
TA 316 Technical Theater Lab ..................................2
TA 321 Intro to Costume Design................................4
TA 454 Directing I .....................................................4
TA 464, 465 Development
of Dramatic Art I, II ..................................................8
12 credits chosen from the following: ......................12
TA 330 Multicultural Theater
TA 467, 468 Modern Theater I and II
TA 469 Women, Theater, and Society
TA 471 Theater History: Periods/Topics
TA 472 Theater History: Major Figures
4 credits chosen from the following: .........................4
TA 333 Workshop Theater II: Stage Production,
TA 334 Workshop Theater II: Scenic-Lighting Production,
TA 335 Workshop Theater II: Management/Public Relations,
TA 336 Workshop Theatre II: Costume Production
with a maximum of 2 credits in any one. (Workshop credits in
excess of this maximum may be used to satisfy elective
and general requirements)
12 elective credits from the theater arts curriculum
with at least 6 carrying numbers 300 or above ... ........12

Total 68

Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling department major requirements. At least 16 credits of upper-division Theater Arts courses, including 2 credits from TA 333, TA 334, TA 335, and/or TA 336 must be taken in residence at Portland State University.

Graduation Pathways

Theater majors who start their college career at PSU should follow the Early Declare Pathway to graduation in consultation with a Theater Arts advisor.

Theater majors who have completed the AA degree and/or enter PSU with 90 transfer credits should follow the Transfer Pathway to graduation in consultation with a Theater Arts advisor.

Download the BA/BS Transfer Pathway

Options

In fulfilling the 12-hour elective requirement, the theater arts major, depending on area of interest and career aspirations, will select one of three options:

  • general option
  • performance option
  • design/production option

General

The student who chooses the general option should select 12 elective credits from the theater arts curriculum with at least 12 credits carry numbers 300 or above.

Performance

The student who chooses the performance option should select from the following recommended courses:

Voice for the Actor I (3)
Movement for the Actor (3)
Improvisational Acting I (3)
Acting II, Acting III, Advanced Acting (16)
Acting for the Camera (4)
Acting II, Acting III, Advanced Acting (16)
Voice for the Actor II (3)
Stage Dialects (4)
Directing II (4)

Design/Production

The student who wants to focus on the design/production option should select from the recommended courses in one of the three tracks: scenography, lighting, or costume.

Recommended courses in the scenography track include:
TA 312 Scene Painting (3)
TA 313 Scene Design II (3)
TA 314 Lighting Design I (3)
TA 317 Theater Technologies (2)
TA 414 History of Decor (4)
TA 421 Costume Design (3)

Recommended courses in the lighting track include:
TA 313 Scene Design II (3)
TA 314 Lighting Design I (3)
TA 317 Theater Technologies (2)
TA 408 Workshop (2)
TA 421 Costume Design (3)
TA 435 Lighting Design II (3)
TA 472 Theater History: Appia/Craig (4)

Recommended courses in the costume track include:

TA 313 Scene Design II (3)
TA 325 Costume Construction (4)
TA 326 Pattern Development (4)
TA 421 Costume Design (3)
TA 425, 426 History of Dress I and II (8)

 

Acrobat iconStudent Handbook
This handbook has been designed by Theater faculty and students to provide detailed information about the programs, policies, procedures, expectations, and opportunities in the Department of Theater Arts.

Requirements for a Minor in Theater Arts

To earn a minor in theater arts a student must complete 28 adviser-approved credits (12 credits must be taken in residence at Portland State University), to include the following:

8 Credits:
TA 101 Theater Appreciation (4)
TA 305 Understanding Theater (4)
TA 301 Script Analysis (4)

16 Theater Arts electives (at least 8 upper-division)

4 Credits chosen from:
TA 464 Development of Dramatic Art I and II
TA 467 & 468 Modern Theater I and II
TA 471 & 472 Theater History

Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling department minor requirements, with the exception of TA 101 Theater Appreciation, TA 131 Understanding Movies, TA 135 Classic Movies, and TA 150 Dance Appreciation.