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Undergraduate Catalog

2012 - 2013

BA in Theatre Arts Studies
(50 hours*)

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The theatre arts studies major is an open enrollment program that provides a strong liberal arts foundation that can be used effectively in a variety of performance-related careers or graduate studies. The major provides practical training, critical thinking skills, and the development of professional ethics across the various performance disciplines. Students may focus studies in areas of interest — critical studies and dramaturgy, design and technology, directing and stage management, playwriting, or theatre for young audiences — but graduates are generalists with skills and proficiencies that can be used in multiple production venues and media environments.

Program Requirements    |    View MAP

  1. Complete the following prerequisite courses:

  2. Complete and submit declaration form for the theatre arts studies major to the department office (D-581 HFAC).

  3. Complete the following foundation courses:
      TMA 115 : From Theatre to Performance Studies: An Introduction. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      TMA 115 : From Theatre to Performance Studies: An Introduction. (3:3:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: Theatre arts studies major or minor status; or BFA acting major or acting pre-major status; or theatre education major status.
      DESCRIPTION: Textual analysis of traditional plays. Introduction to performance studies. Ritual, play, performativity, performing, performance processes, and global and intercultural performance.

      Course Outcomes


      TMA 123 : Acting Fundamentals. (2:4:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      TMA 123 : Acting Fundamentals. (2:4:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
      DESCRIPTION: Fundamental acting skills: exercises in perception, objective/action, thought processes, scoring of scripts. Lab required.

      Course Outcomes


      TMA 236 : Directing Fundamentals. (2:4:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      TMA 236 : Directing Fundamentals. (2:4:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: TMA 115 for theatre arts studies majors or minors, or BFA acting majors. Theatre education major or minor status or instructor's consent.
      DESCRIPTION: Fundamental elements of stage directing, including observation, collaboration, imagination, casting, working with actors, camera, spaces, words, images, rehearsals, and final product. Lab required.

      Course Outcomes


  4. Complete the following theatre core courses:
      TMA 201 : Dramatic Performance: Antiquity to Renaissance. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      TMA 201 : Dramatic Performance: Antiquity to Renaissance. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Spring
      DESCRIPTION: Civilization from Greek antiquity through Renaissance, primarily from perspective of dramatic literature and performance. Ways in which performance functions within particular socioeconomic, political, religious, and aesthetic perspectives.
      NOTE: This course is part of a GE Mosaic. See ge.byu.edu/mosaic-list for more information.

      Course Outcomes


      TMA 202 : Dramatic Performance: Renaissance to the Present. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      TMA 202 : Dramatic Performance: Renaissance to the Present. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Winter; Summer
      DESCRIPTION: Civilization from Renaissance through present, primarily from perspective of dramatic literature and performance. Ways in which performance functions within particular socioeconomic, political, religious, and aesthetic perspectives.
      NOTE: This course is part of a GE Mosaic. See ge.byu.edu/mosaic-list for more information.

      Course Outcomes


      TMA 260R : Theatre Production 2. (1:0:4)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      TMA 260R : Theatre Production 2. (1:0:4)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: TMA 160 and instructor's consent.
      DESCRIPTION: Practical experience in the scene shop, costume shop, and lighting lab. Hands-on training for further production experience.

                : Theatre Production 2: Costumes.
                : Theatre Production 2: Make-up/Props/Lighting.
                : Theatre Production 2: Theatre Education.
                : Theatre Production 2: Scene Shop.

      Course Outcomes


      TMA 360R : Theatre Production 3. (1:0:4)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      TMA 360R : Theatre Production 3. (1:0:4)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
      PREREQUISITE: TMA 160; and instructor's consent.
      DESCRIPTION: Advanced practical experience in specialized shops or backstage experience on realized productions.

                : Theatre Production 3: Costume/Makeup.
                : Theatre Production 3: Scenery/Props.
                : Theatre Production 3: Lights/Sound.
                : Theatre Production 3: Stage Management.

      Course Outcomes


      TMA 395 : Dramatic Literature 1. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      TMA 395 : Dramatic Literature 1. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Fall
      PREREQUISITE: TMA 115 & TMA 201 & TMA 202; Theatre arts studies major or minor status.
      DESCRIPTION: Survey of dramatic texts, from ancient Greek to today, through Western literary theories, emphasizing performance.

      Course Outcomes


      TMA 396 : Dramatic Literature 2. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      TMA 396 : Dramatic Literature 2. (3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Winter
      PREREQUISITE: TMA 115 & TMA 201 & TMA 202; Theatre arts studies major or minor status.
      DESCRIPTION: Survey of dramatic texts, from ancient Greek to today, through global literary theories, emphasizing performance.

      Course Outcomes


      TMA 401 : Contemporary Performance Practices. (2:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      TMA 401 : Contemporary Performance Practices. (2:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      WHEN TAUGHT:Winter
      PREREQUISITE: TMA 201 & TMA 202 & TMA 395; or TMA 201 & TMA 202 & TMA 396; Theatre arts studies major status.
      DESCRIPTION: Advanced studies in performance theory and practice.

      Course Outcomes


  5. Complete 20 hours (12 must be upper-division) in consultation with the faculty mentor. These individually tailored programs will allow the student maximum flexibility while guaranteeing quality control.

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.



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