Theatre: Directing/Producing Concentration, B.F.A

Theatre (TR)

The Department of Theatre provides undergraduate education consistent with the University’s liberal arts and professional emphases. The B.A. degree in Theatre is more of a theatre general studies program, while the concentrations with both the B.A. and the B.F.A. are professional undergraduate degrees in a liberal arts setting. 

The faculty assist with student career pathways and meeting professional and personal goals within the B.A. or B.F.A. Theatre faculty members have devised B.A. and B.F.A. curricula based on the latest approaches to and knowledge of the performance, design/technical, and historical/theoretical branches of the field. The B.A. is more of an overview of these three branches, while the B.F.A. concentrations allow for just that: a concentrated study of one professional area. The B.F.A. is responsive to the needs of the professional areas of acting, directing, design/technical theatre, and musical theatre. Unlike our conservatory competitors, the B.F.A. is firmly situated within a liberal arts university, and this is one of our program’s strongest assets. 

Degrees/Certificates offered:

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

• Theatre  
• Theatre: Secondary Education Concentration, B.A.  

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree in Theatre with concentrations in:

• Acting  
• Directing/Producing  
• Musical Theatre  
• Theatre Design and Technology  

Students may also have an emphasis in Green Theatre Practices and Theatre for Young Audiences. ​

Core Requirements

All students must complete the Avila University Core Curriculum as a part of their degree programs. The Core consists of a minimum of 39 credit hours that meet the requirements listed below. Please go to Core Curriculum  for more information and to view all Core classes.

Major Requirements

The candidate for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre must complete all the general degree requirements as stated in the Core Curriculum. In addition, the B.F.A. candidate must complete at least 24 upper-division hours in the major at Avila. A maximum of 75 hours in any single subject is allowed. Theatre majors and minors must receive a grade of “C” or higher in all courses taken in the major.

BFA Directing/Producing Concentration Requirements

• TR 223 - History and Literature of the Theatre I (3)
• TR 253 - Stage Lighting (3)
• TR 255 - Costume Techniques/Design (3)
• TR 284 - Theatre Management Practicum (1-2)
• TR 288 - Stage Management Practicum (1-2)
• TR 289 - Directing Practicum (1-2)
• TR 324 - History & Literature of the Theatre II (3)
• TR 361 - Stage Management (3)
• TR 391 - Acting III (3)
• TR 415 - Playwright Seminar (3)
• TR 451 - Computer Drafting for the Theatre (3)
• TR 462 - Theatre Management (3)
• TR 463 - Advanced Directing (3)
• TR 471 - Shakespeare in Performance (3)
• TR 473 - Acting Styles (3)
• TR 495 - Internship (3)

Technology Requirement

Computer competency will be demonstrated by successful completion of: 

• TR 223 - History and Literature of the Theatre I (3)
• TR 253 - Stage Lighting (3)

Note

Grades of CR/NC are not permitted with the Theatre major requirements.

Outcomes

In addition to the degree requirements stated earlier in this catalog, upon graduation an Avila University Theatre major will have demonstrated the ability to:

Theatre B.A. and B.F.A. Outcomes

• Upon graduation an Avila University theatre major will have demonstrated the ability to place text and production in an historical and theoretical context. (TR 223  and TR 499 )
• Upon graduation an Avila University theatre major will have demonstrated the ability to display a basic knowledge of acting technique and character development. (TR 271  and TR 499 )
• Upon graduation an Avila University theatre major will have demonstrated the ability to display a basic knowledge of elemental technical theatre techniques. (TR 251  and TR 499 )

      *Musical Theatre BFA has a choice of the capstone of either TR 499  or MU 498 . 

Upon graduation an Avila University theatre major with a musical theatre concentration will have demonstrated the ability to place music in proper historical social context; define and apply appropriate vocabulary and terminology to music and demonstrate the comprehensive knowledge of music through performance. (MU 498 )

In addition, the B.F.A graduate will have demonstrated the ability to:

• Acting: Recognize, distinguish, and implement a range of acting styles. (TR 471 )
• Directing:  Direct (analyze and realize) a dramatic work. (TR 463 )
• Design and Technology:  Communicate concepts and ideas visually and orally. (TR 451 )
• Musical Theatre:  Realize a musical theatre character from printed word to performance. (TR 377 )
• Musical Theatre:  Demonstrate knowledge of harmony, melody and rhythm through analysis. (MU 272 )

Assessment

The outcomes for the Theatre major are assessed through a combination of written and performance projects. The assessment process culminates in the senior capstone. Each major (both BA and BFA) must complete the capstone in the major, which is 1) performance-based with a written component and, 2) is supervised and evaluated by a faculty mentor.