Requirements for the BA/BS in Theater Arts

Undergraduate majors in Theater Arts are expected to acquire basic skills in performance and production, dramatic literature, and theater history. These basic skills are developed in the core requirements. The remaining credits are met through a selected option, performance, design/production, or theater studies, which provides for flexibility and allows a student to specialize in an area of interest.

Selective Admission  to Upper Division Standing

For many years, the school has been increasing its commitment to excellence by raising the academic standards of our incoming students. Students will declare the major upon admission to the university. Students will formally apply to the Theater Arts major as they approach completion of 90 credits of undergraduate coursework. Our admission standards currently include a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major and of 2.75 GPA overall.

Undergraduate application procedures and materials are available via PSU's Admissions website: Undergraduate Admissions. Should you have any questions about the Theater Arts major application procedures and forms  please contact us at theaterarts@pdx.edu

Requirements for a Major in Theater Arts

TA 111, 112 Technical Theater I and II .......................6
TA 114, 115 Technical Theater Production I, II .............2
TA 248 Acting I: Process............................................4
TA 252 Stage Makeup ...............................................2
TA 301 Script Analysis...............................................4
TA 311 Scene Design I...............................................4
TA 316 Technical Theater Lab .....................................2
TA 321 Intro to Costume Design..................................4
TA 454 Directing I .....................................................4
TA 464, 465 Development of Dramatic Art I, II ..............8
12 credits chosen from the following: .........................12
      TA 330, TA 467, TA 468, TA 469, TA 471, TA 472
4 credits chosen from the following: .............................4
      TA 333, 334, 335, and/or 336 Workshop Theater II
      with a maximum of 2 credits in any one. (Workshop 
      credits in excess of this maximum may be used to 
      satisfy elective and general requirements)
12 elective credits from the theater arts curriculum
      with at least 6 carrying numbers 300 or above .........12

Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) will not be accepted toward fulfilling school major requirements. At least 16 credits of upper-division Theater Arts courses, including 2 credits from TA 333, TA 334, TA 335, and/or TA 336 must be taken in residence at Portland State University. All courses used to satisfy the major requirements must be graded C or above.

In previous years we had accepted only a passing grade in the Freshman and Sophomore classes. We now require a minimum grade of C. Any course taken with a grade of C‐ or lower must to repeated to be included in the major.

Graduation Pathways

Majors who start their college career at PSU should follow the Early Declare Pathway to graduation in consultation with a COTA or Theater Arts advisor:  BA Pathway or BS Pathway.

Majors who have completed the AA degree and/or enter PSU with 90 transfer credits should follow the Transfer Pathway to graduation in consultation with her/his Theater Arts advisor:  BA/BS Transfer Pathway

Student Handbook

2011-12 Student Handbook
This handbook has been designed by Theater faculty and students to provide detailed information about the programs, policies, procedures, expectations, and opportunities in the School of Theatre and Film.

Degree Options

In fulfilling the 12-hour elective requirement, the theater arts major, depending on area of interest and career aspirations, will select one of three options:

• theater studies option
• performance option
• design/production option

Theater Studies

The student who chooses the theater studies option should select 12 elective credits from the theater arts curriculum with at least 12 credits carry numbers 300 or above.

Performance

The student who chooses the performance option should select from the following recommended courses:

Voice for the Actor I (3)
Movement for the Actor (3)
Improvisational Acting I (3)
Acting II, Acting III, Advanced Acting (16)
Acting for the Camera (4)
Acting II, Acting III, Advanced Acting (16)
Voice for the Actor II (3)
Stage Dialects (4)
Directing II (4)

Design/Production

The student who wants to focus on the design/production option should select from the recommended courses in one of the three tracks: scenography, lighting, or costume.

Recommended courses in the scenography track include:
TA 312 Scene Painting (3)
TA 313 Scene Design II (3)
TA 314 Lighting Design I (3)
TA 317 Theater Technologies (2)
TA 414 History of Decor (4)

Recommended courses in the lighting track include:
TA 313 Scene Design II (3)
TA 314 Lighting Design I (3)
TA 317 Theater Technologies (2)
TA 408 Workshop (2)
TA 435 Lighting Design II (3)
TA 472 Theater History: Appia/Craig (4)

Recommended courses in the costume track include:
TA 325 Costume Construction (4)
TA 326 Pattern Development (4)
TA 421 Costume Design (3)
TA 425, 426 History of Dress I and II (8)