Theatre – Major/Minor
For information, contact Professor Roxanne Amico, rtamico@cedarcrest.edu, 610-437-4471 ext 3619
Program Description
The theatre major at Cedar Crest College enhances and supports the Cedar Crest College mission by providing multiple perspectives and experiences for understanding theatre as a discipline of study. Emphasis is placed on how theatre connects with other disciplines within a liberal arts education. The theatre major provides all students with a global framework for the exploration of creativity and individual artistic and intellectual expression. The theatre major at Cedar Crest College capitalizes on all that our college has to offer, educating strong, well-rounded students who are well versed in both academic and experiential creativity, creating our future leaders.The theatre program is heavily grounded in production work and practical experience. An intensely interdisciplinary focus is cultivated with particular emphasis placed on elevating the role of women through play selection and meaningful theatrical material that can be shared with a wide audience on and off campus. Fully equipped scene and costume shops support three major productions annually as well as numerous senior productions and dance concerts. Major productions are staged in the 250 seat Samuels Theatre with student shows mounted in the 75 seat Little Theatre. Students majoring in theatre are expected to participate in all productions each term in some capacity either on cast or stage crew, in the box office, scene shop, and costume construction crews or through stage management. Campus employment complements the work in the department as students can receive hands-on training in theatre through their campus job 8-10 hrs a week. While not required, theatre majors also may choose to complete the arts administration concentration.
Program Mission Statement
The mission of the theatre major is to develop artistic and leadership skills toward the practical application of theatre through coursework in the areas of history, performance, design, technical theatre, administration and production. Emphasis is placed on understanding the balance between the practical and artistic choices, accepting responsibility and promoting team work. Attention is paid to developing a career focus for the individual theatre artist. Emphasis is placed on understanding historically significant styles and genres of theatre, performing and developing personal goals for understanding and using theatre. The exploration of theatre in its many forms addresses a core need in the human condition to express through creativity solutions and answers to problems and issues facing society.
Total number of credits required by program: 48 credits
Program Requirements
Auditions or applications are required for all production responsibilities. All theatre majors are obliged to abide by the written Performing Arts Departmental Policies. A grade of C or better is required in all courses taken for application toward all major requirements in the performing arts. At least 15 credits of course work in the major must be taken at Cedar Crest College. All theatre majors are required to participate in two faculty directed productions annually.
Theatre Major
Course Requirements
48 Credits
THS 105 Public Speaking 3 credits
THS 150 Stagecraft 3 credits
THS 201 Acting and Directing Workshop 9 credits ( 3 each term)
THS 231 History of Theatre I 3 credits
THS 232 History of Theatre II 3 credits
THS 251 Practicum: Stage Management 3 credits
THS 251 Practicum: Arts Management 3 credits
THS 240 Design for the Stage (scene design, lighting, sound or costume) 3 credits
PER 100 First Friday (4 x 1) 4 credits ( 4 semesters)
PER 101 Collaborative Arts 1 credit
PER 252 Sophomore Seminar 1 credits
PER 351 Junior Year Prospectus 1 credit
PER 352 Senior Thesis Project 1 credit
PER 353 Senior Thesis Project 1 credit
SPS 270 Internship 3 credits
ACC 101 or MKG 230 3 credits
Plus one elective from the following:
THS 240 Design for the Stage: Lighting 3 credits
THS 240 Design for the Stage: Scene Design 3 credits
THS 240 Design for the Stage: Costume Design 3 credits
THs 240 Design for the Stage: Sound Design 3 credits
THS 270 History of Fashion 3 credits
THS 230 Playwriting 3 credits
Fulfillment of LAC Requirements
The Information Literacy requirement for Theatre majors is fulfilled through:
PER 100 First Friday and PER 252 Sophomore Seminar
The Technology requirement for Theatre majors is fulfilled through:
PER 100 First Friday; PER 351 Junior Year Prospectus, 352-353 Senior Seminar
Oral Presentation requirement for Theatre majors is fulfilled through:
THS 105 Public Speaking; PER 351 Junior Year Prospectus 352-353 Senior Thesis Project
Student Learning Outcomes are articulated on all departmental course syllabi and are reinforced through production work (THS 250, THS 251, DNC 252 and DNC 253) and regular traditional classroom instruction. Production work is essentially the lab component of the entire theatre program. All courses essentially support production in some way. All hands-on efforts and practical production activities are grounded in the Student Learning Outcomes.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Theatre Major
1. Students will demonstrate an applied knowledge of a specific theatre production area.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the process of artistic decision making in theatre through scholarly writing and oral presentation.
3. Students will demonstrate leadership through performance related assignments.
4. Students will communicate and defend the relationship between their original work or research and art and society.
Theatre Minor
Program Requirements
All theatre minors are obliged to abide by the written Performing Arts Departmental Policies. A grade of C or better is required in all courses taken for application toward all minor requirements in the performing arts. At least 12 credits of course work in the minor must be taken at Cedar Crest College.
Course Requirements
THS 100 Introduction to Theatre 3 credits
THS 101 or 201 3 credits
THS 231 History of Theatre I 3 credits
THS 232 History of Theatre II 3 credits
THS 150 Stagecraft 3 credits
THS 240 Design for the Stage 3 credits
Total number of credits required by minor: 18
Student Learning Outcomes for the Theatre Minor
- Students will demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of theatre production and history
- Students will demonstrate through scholarly writing and orally how artistic decisions in theatre are made through research and analysis
- Students explain how theatre is viewed in the context of societal norms
- Students will explain the impact of creative contributions to a wider community
