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BFA in Theatre Education 137-138 credits

The BFA in Theatre Education curriculum is designed to immerse students in the practicalities of theatre production, and to prepare the student for licensure to teach theatre at the middle school or high school level. Conservatory style training is augmented by traditional academic studies in theatre history, literature, criticism and play reading, and a fourth year in the School of Education.

  • Students pursuing the BFA in Theatre Education will complete 12 credit hours in Pre-Education Core Classes (some of which also count as General Education credits), 44-45 credit hours in the BFA core curriculum, 35 credit hours in the Theatre area of concentration, and 46 credit hours in Education classes in the School of Education, for a total of 137-138 credit hours.. Admission into the BFA program is by interview only.
  • The BFA in Theatre Education is a rigorous and competitive program of study for students interested in pursuing careers in teaching. This pre-professional program is designed to combine intensive training with a liberal arts education and an Education emphasis that leads to teacher licensure. All aspects of theatre are examined, with a focus on education.

    The overall objectives of the BFA in Theatre at WOU are as follows:
  • To provide a rigorous pre-professional BFA theatre training program to talented and qualified aspiring theatre professionals.
  • To create university theatrical productions of the highest standard which challenge student artists and audiences with plays of depth and vibrancy that illuminate the strengths, frailties and diversity of the human condition.
  • To establish and maintain education and outreach programs for all ages consistent with the artistic mission of the department.
  • To play a vital role in the cultural life of the Willamette Valley, Salem and the region.

Pre-Education Core
(12 credit hours)

  • ED 200 Foundations of Education
  • ED 233 Applied Adolescent Learning & Development
  • ED 259 Special Education & Inclusive Communities
  • ED 373 Introduction to Curriculum and Assessment

BFA Core Courses
(44-45 credit hours)

Additional Theatre Credits
(35 credit hours)

  • D 102 Beginning Jazz Dance OR D 103 Beginning Tap Dance
  • TA 220 Production Participation (4 terms)
  • TA 221 Directing Practicum (2 terms)
  • TA 222 Foundations Workshops (4 workshops)
  • TA 234 Stage Management
  • TA 255 Movement I
  • TA 271 Acting II
  • TA 290 Voice I
  • TA 305 Speech II
  • TA 343 Costume Design
  • TA 346 Scenic Design
  • TA 348 Lighting Design
  • TA 405 Acting Shakespeare
  • TA 457 Directing II

Education Classes
(46 Credit Hours)

  • ED 404 Clinical Experience Seminar I
  • ED 405 Clinical Experience Seminar II
  • ED 411 Clinical Experience I
  • ED 412 Clinical Experience II
  • ED 418 Assessment, Planning and Instruction
  • ED 421 Technology Integration
  • ED 429 Professional Development Seminar III
  • ED 434 Content Pedagogy I
  • ED 436 Content Pedagogy II
  • ED 444 Content Literacy
  • ED 446 Environments for Diverse Learners
  • ED 450 Methods for Classroom Management
  • ED 481 Introduction to ESOL and Bilingual Education
  • ED 498 Clinical Experience III

BFA THEATRE EDUCATION ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

All students admitted to WOU are eligible to pursue the BA or BS in General Theatre or the theatre minor.  Admission to the BFA program is by audition/interview only.  

Both existing students and new/potential students can interview for entrance into the BFA Production Training Program.  Private Interviews will be scheduled as application materials are received. 

For new/potential students to be considered for the BFA Production Training Program, they must:

  • Be formally accepted to Western Oregon University prior to auditioning. 
  • Submit the following to Professor Michael Phillips via email: phillipm@wou.edu  
    • BFA Application (here)
    • Letter of intent, providing highlights of previous theatre experience and plans for future development.
    • Resume (example of resume.)
  • Students may use their interview for the purpose of completing the scholarship application process by first completing the General Scholarship Application at https://wou.academicworks.com. 
    • You must have a WOU Portal username and password to access the General Scholarship Application.  This will automatically place your application into all of the categories that you are eligible for.
    • General Scholarship Applications Generally end on March 1.

BFA in Theatre Actor Training Focus 115 credits

The BFA curriculum is designed to immerse students in the practicalities of theatre production and the theatre world. Conservatory style training is augmented by traditional academic studies in theatre history, literature, criticism and play reading.

Details of degree plan:

  • Students pursuing the BFA will complete 46 credit hours in the BFA core curriculum and 69 + credit hours in their area of concentration, for a total of approximately 115 credit hours. Admission into the BFA program is by audition/interview only.
  • The BFA in Theatre is a rigorous and competitive program of study for students interested in pursuing careers in the professional theatre. This pre-professional program is designed to combine intensive training with a liberal arts education. All aspects of theatre—art, craft, business and education—are examined, with a focus on theatrical production.
  • The expanded curriculum of the program embraces classes not only in theatre, but in dance, art and music.

    The overall objectives of the BFA in Theatre at WOU are as follows:
  • To provide a rigorous pre-professional BFA theatre training program to talented and qualified aspiring theatre professionals.
  • To create university theatrical productions of the highest standard which challenge student artists and audiences with plays of depth and vibrancy that illuminate the strengths, frailties and diversity of the human condition.
  • To establish and maintain education and outreach programs for all ages consistent with the artistic mission of the department.
  • To play a vital role in the cultural life of the Willamette Valley, Salem and the region.

Core Courses

 

Actor Training Courses:

Dance Credits

(choose 9 credits)

Total Credits: 113-115

BFA ACTING ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

All students admitted to WOU are eligible to pursue the BA or BS in General Theatre or the theatre minor.  Admission to the BFA program is by audition/interview only.  

Both existing students and new/potential students can audition for entrance into the BFA Acting Program.  Private Auditions/Interviews will be scheduled as application materials are received. 

For students to be considered for the BFA Acting Program, they must:

  • Be formally accepted to Western Oregon University prior to auditioning. 
  • Submit the following to Professor David Janowiak via email: janovid@wou.edu 
    • BFA Application (here)
    • Letter of intent, providing highlights of previous theatre experience and plans for future development.
    • Resume (example of resume.)
    • Videotape audition may be submitted via email following the Audition Guidelines below
  • Students may use their audition for the purpose of completing the scholarship application process by completing the General Scholarship Application at https://wou.academicworks.com. 
    • You must have a WOU Portal username and password to access the General Scholarship Application.  This will automatically place your application into all of the categories that you are eligible for.
    • General Scholarship Applications Generally end on March 1.

Acting Audition Guidelines:

  • Prepare two monologues of not more than one-and-a-half minutes each.  Do not exceed three minutes in total.
  • Bring or provide current head shot or picture (black and white or color)
  • Monologues must be memorized.
  • Monologues may be chosen from any time period and should offer as much contrast as possible.  One of the monologues must be from a contemporary realistic play.  Choose roles in which you could be cast professionally at this point in your career and which show you off to your best advantage.  Do not attempt roles out of your current age range and roles with European dialects.
  • On the day of the audition (if conducted in-person) arrive at least fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled time of registration and general session.  Dress appropriately in comfortable clothes.  At the conclusion of your audition, you will be interviewed by the screening committee. The combined length of the interview audition is approximately fifteen-twenty minutes.
  • Once enrolled in the program, all BFA Actor Training majors are required to audition for all department productions. Continuation in the program is determined by an annual jury and review process.

BFA in Theatre: Production Training Focus  115 credits

The BFA curriculum is designed to immerse students in the practicalities of theatre production and the theatre world. Conservatory style training is augmented by traditional academic studies in theatre history, literature, criticism and play reading.

Details of degree plan:

  • Students pursuing the BFA will complete 46 credit hours in the BFA core curriculum and 69 + credit hours in their area of concentration, for a total of approximately 115 credit hours. Admission into the BFA program is by audition/interview only.
  • The BFA in Theatre is a rigorous and competitive program of study for students interested in pursuing careers in the professional theatre. This pre-professional program is designed to combine intensive training with a liberal arts education. All aspects of theatre—art, craft, business and education—are examined, with a focus on theatrical production.
  • The expanded curriculum of the program embraces classes not only in theatre, but in dance, art and music.

    The overall objectives of the BFA in Theatre at WOU are as follows:
  • To provide a rigorous pre-professional BFA theatre training program to talented and qualified aspiring theatre professionals.
  • To create university theatrical productions of the highest standard which challenge student artists and audiences with plays of depth and vibrancy that illuminate the strengths, frailties and diversity of the human condition.
  • To establish and maintain education and outreach programs for all ages consistent with the artistic mission of the department.
  • To play a vital role in the cultural life of the Willamette Valley, Salem and the region.

Core Courses

 

Production Training Courses:

Choose Two

Elective Credit: 16

BFA PRODUCTION TRAINING ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

The BFA Production Training can be pursued in one of several concentration areas:  

  • Scenic Design
  • Costume Design
  • Lighting Design
  • Stage Management
  • Technical Direction
  • Stage Properties

All students admitted to WOU are eligible to pursue the BA or BS in General Theatre or the theatre minor.  Admission to the BFA program is by audition/interview only.  

Both existing students and new/potential students can interview for entrance into the BFA Production Training Program.  Private Interviews will be scheduled as application materials are received. 

For new/potential students to be considered for the BFA Production Training Program, they must:

  • Be formally accepted to Western Oregon University prior to auditioning. 
  • Submit the following to Professor Scott Grim via email: grims@mail.wou.edu 
    • BFA Application (here)
    • Letter of intent, providing highlights of previous theatre experience and plans for future development.
    • Resume (example of resume.)
  • Students may use their interview for the purpose of completing the scholarship application process by first completing the General Scholarship Application at https://wou.academicworks.com. 
    • You must have a WOU Portal username and password to access the General Scholarship Application.  This will automatically place your application into all of the categories that you are eligible for.
    • General Scholarship Applications Generally end on March 1.

Bachelor in Theatre 72 credits

The BA/BS in Theatre is designed to provide a solid base in acting, directing, technical theatre and design, performance, literature and theory.

Students will be prepared for post-graduate opportunities including: graduate school, teacher licensor programs, internships, professional theatre, and participation in the arts in their communities.

The overall objectives of the BA/BS in Theatre at WOU are as follows:

  • Create theatre, from script analysis through public performance.
  • Demonstrate competency in production processes.
  • Analyze the historical, literary, theoretical, stylistic and cultural dimensions of theatre and how theatrical works exist within contexts.

Theatre Core (40 Credits):

TA 165 Production Dynamics
TA 166 Text Analysis and Scene Study
TA 167 Play Reading
TA 220 Production Participation (0) 6 terms
TA 244 Technical Theatre: Scenecraft
TA 245 Technical Theatre: Lighting
TA 246 Technical Theatre: Costuming

Choose One (3)

TA 251 Elements of Acting

TA 265 Acting

Choose One (4)

TA 334 Stage Management

TA 364 Directing

TA 381 Theatre History I
TA 382 Theatre History II
TA 383 Theatre History III
TA 386 International Theatre
TA 453 Capstone Experience

Choose elective Theatre classes (at least 16 Upper Division) (32)

*Students must also complete university requirements as outlined in the WOU course catalogue.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees are liberal arts degree programs with a major in theatre and a minor in an area other than theatre. Students who take the BS in theatre complete 72 credit hours in theatre courses in addition to the liberal arts core curriculum (LACC) and a minor in another academic discipline.

Minor in Theatre Arts 28 credits

 

The overall objectives of the Minor in Theatre at WOU are as follows:

  • Create theatre, from script analysis through public performance.
  • Demonstrate competency in production processes.
  • Analyze the historical, literary, theoretical, stylistic and cultural dimensions of theatre and how theatrical works exist within contexts.

Theatre Core (9 Credits):

TA 110 Introduction to Theatre
TA 220 Production Participation
TA 251 Elements of Acting

Choose One (3)

TA 244 Technical Theatre – Scene Craft
TA 245 Technical Theatre – Lighting
TA 246 Technical Theatre – Costumes

Choose One (3-4)

 

TA 381 Theatre History I
TA 382 Theatre History II
TA 383 Theatre History III
TA 386 International Theatre

 

Choose Upper Division Theatre electives (16)

*Students must also complete university requirements as outlined in the WOU course catalogue.