Brigham Young University Homepage

Undergraduate Catalog

2010 - 2011

Theatre and Media Arts

Rodger Sorensen, Chair
D-581 HFAC, (801) 422-6645
E-mail: tma_secretary@byu.edu
Internet: http://tma.byu.edu/

College of Fine Arts and Communications Advisement Center
D-444 HFAC, (801) 422-3777

Admission to Degree Program

Several degree programs in the Department of Theatre and Media Arts have a departmental application process with enrollment limitations. Theatre arts studies major and minor programs have declaration procedures but are open enrollment. Please see the college advisement center for specific details (1-801-422-3777).

The Discipline

The study of theatre and media arts is truly a study of humankind and our attitudes toward ourselves as revealed in artistic expression. Since art is a mirror of human society, the specific disciplines of theatre and media arts cover our innermost attempts at comprehending our existence through all time.

The BYU theatre program is designed to educate students in a basic foundation of dramatic literature, theatre history, theory, performance skills as both actor and director, and techniques in all areas of theatre design technology and production.

The BYU media arts program is designed to educate students in a basic foundation of film history, theory, and criticism, along with the fundamental production competencies in film, television, animation, or new media.

Mission Statement

TMA exists to fulfill both the mission of BYU "to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life" and The Aims of a BYU Education, which "should be (1) spiritually strengthening, (2) intellectually enlarging, and (3) character building, leading to (4) lifelong learning and service." We work toward these ends by promoting literacy, spirituality, and creativity and by exploring their interrelatedness in the arts of theatre and media.

  • Literacy means for us the ability to "read"—that is, to apply the vocabulary and grammar, theoretical models, history, and analysis of theatre and media in order to (1) read multiple meanings and (2) appreciate, evaluate, and respond to them.
  • Spirituality consists of discovering, exploring, and balancing the interrelationships among the individual, others, and Deity.
  • Creativity means synthesizing in new ways and illuminating human understanding through performance and production.

We promote literacy, spirituality, and creativity in the arts of theatre and media by emphasizing such central elements as

  • the truths of human experience,
  • generosity of soul,
  • a service orientation and focus on others,
  • commitment to developing infinite potential, and
  • awareness.

In promoting literacy, spirituality, and creativity in theatre and media arts, we balance the skills and demands of

  • thinking—both creative and critical—
  • collaborative mentored processes, and
  • production.

          —Adopted October 7, 2003

Career Opportunities

The theatre program provides training and experience in all areas of theatre, from performing to playwriting, from teaching to technical production.

The media arts program provides a foundation and basic experience in analyzing, conceptualizing, writing, directing, and collaboratively producing nonfiction, fiction, and new media. For skill development and specialization, students may select an area of study from the following: critical studies, fiction production, or non-fiction production.

For an area of interest study list, contact the advisement center or the department office.

Graduation Requirements

To receive a BYU bachelor's degree a student must complete, in addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following university requirements:

  • The university core, consisting of requirements in general and religious education. (See University Core for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
  • At least 30 credit hours must be earned in residence on the BYU campus in Provo as an admitted day student
  • Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
  • Be in good standing with the Honor Code Office

Undergraduate Programs and Degrees

    Students should see their college advisement center for help or information concerning the undergraduate programs.

Graduate Programs and Degrees

    MA in Theatre and Media Arts
    MFA in Production Design (inactive)

Animation-Additional Degree Program Offered

The BFA in animation is an interdisciplinary degree offered by the College of Fine Arts and Communications through the cooperative involvement of the Department of Theatre and Media Arts, the Department of Visual Arts, and the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology's School of Technology. Please see the Visual Arts section of this catalog for degree requirements, or go to the College of Fine Arts and Communications Advisement Center for more information about entrance requirements to this program.

General Information

  1. The media arts studies major (or minor) is a limited enrollment program. Students are required to fulfill the pre-major requirement of TMA 102. See the media arts program description for details. Application must be made for entrance into the program.

  2. The theatre arts studies major (or minor) is an open enrollment program. Students interested in general theatre studies, dramaturgy, playwriting, directing, stage management, critical studies, or design and technology (costume, lighting, makeup, scenic, or sound), should declare the theatre arts studies major (or minor), using the theatre arts studies declaration form. See program description for details on declaring this major.

  3. Students interested in the theatre arts education major should also declare a pre-theatre arts education major using the theatre arts education pre-major declaration form. Declaring the pre-major doesn't guarantee entrance into the theatre arts education program. Students must fulfill particular requirements. See program description for details.

  4. Students interested in BFA acting (unless they have already been accepted into the program) should declare the acting pre-major, using the acting pre-major declaration form. Declaring the pre-major doesn't guarantee entrance into the BFA program. The BFA acting program is a limited enrollment program, and students must fulfill particular requirements. See program description for details.

  5. The animation and music dance theatre (MDT) limited enrollment programs are administered out of other departments. Students interested in animation will need to contact the Visual Arts Department. Students interested in MDT need to declare a pre-music major.

  6. Students who are majors, minors, or pre-majors of TMA affiliated programs are eligible to receive a TMA discount card that enables them to attend theatre season performances at a reduced price. TMA discount cards are available at the front desk of the TMA Office in D-581 HFAC.