Theatre and Media Arts 

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Theatre and Media Arts
Rodger Sorensen, Chair
D-581 HFAC, (801) 422-6645
E-mail: tmadepartment@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 (1-877-890-5414).
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 interactive multimedia.
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.
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, narrative, and interactive
media. For skill development and specialization, students may
select an area of study from the following: critical studies; film,
documentary, or television and radio producing and directing;
screenwriting; or interactive multimedia.
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 the University Core section of this
catalog for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet
university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
- A minimum of 30 credit hours in residence
- A minimum of 120 credit hours
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Undergraduate Programs and Degrees
| BA |
Media Arts Studies |
| BA |
Theatre Arts Education |
| BA |
Theatre Arts Studies |
| BFA |
Acting |
| BFA |
Animation |
| BFA |
Music Dance Theatre |
| Minors |
Media Arts Studies
Theatre Arts Education
Theatre Studies |
Students should see their college advisement center for help or
information concerning the undergraduate programs.
Graduate Programs and Degrees
| MA |
Theatre and Media Arts |
| MFA |
Production Design |
For more information see the BYU 2007–2008
Graduate Catalog.
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
- All theatre majors—BFA acting and music dance theatre
(MDT), theatre education, and theatre arts studies—should
register as pretheatre in order to receive a major card that will
enable students to attend theatre season performances.
- The theatre arts studies major is an open enrollment program.
See program description for details on declaring this major.
- For all limited enrollment programs—animation, BFA acting,
MDT, media arts, and theatre education—students are
required to fulfill particular premajor requirements. See
individual program description for details. Application
must be made for entrance into the chosen degree program.
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