Theatre Arts B.A. with a Concentration in Stage and Screen Acting/Directing

Graduates from the Department of Theatre Arts will be prepared to meet the following learning outcomes:

  1. Evaluate a script or theatrical topic using relevant dramatic theory and criticism; write a new work applying principles of analysis, criticism, theory, and historic/current genres.
  2. Devise and/or implement theatrically relevant outcomes utilizing design and/or management principles, integrating research with creative problem solving.
  3. Collaborate with other members of the production team in generating and implementing creative solutions in direction, performance, design, and construction.
  4. Display professional standards in execution of work.  Ex:  timeliness, follow-through, attention to detail, correct use of written English, etc.
  5. Create meaningful artistic expression utilizing movement, body, voice, and character creation.
Core Curriculum Requirements 150
Theatre Arts Major Core Requirements25
Stage and Screen Acting/Directing Concentration Requirements31
General Electives 214
Total Units120
1

Number of units required from the Core Curriculum not included in the major requirements below. 

2

General electives suggested by the department can be found in the concentration requirements below. 

Theatre Arts Major Core Requirements

Select one of the following:1
THEA-106
Set Construction I 1
or THEA-110
 Costume Construction I
or THEA-116
 Scenic Painting I
THEA-200CIntro to Theatre3
THEA-202CHistory of Theatre I3
THEA-204CHistory of Theatre II3
Select one of the following:1
THEA-306
Set Construction II 1
or THEA-316
 Scenic Painting II
or THEA-317
 Costume Construction II
THEA-313Scenic and Lighting Design Fundamentals3
THEA-314Makeup & Costume Design Fundamentals3
THEA-324Theory and Criticism3
THEA-386Junior Project1
THEA-450Theatre Internship2
THEA-495CSenior Project2
Total Units25
1

Technical/Design concentration majors may not use Scenic Painting I and Scenic Painting II to fulfill these requirements.

Stage and Screen Acting/Directing Concentration Requirements

THEA-107Acting I3
THEA-121Movement and Voice2
Choose from the following Theatre Performance Classes: 12
THEA-132A/132B
Theatrical Performance I
THEA-232A/232B
Theatrical Performance II
THEA-332A/332B
Theatrical Performance III
THEA-432A/432B
Theatrical Performance IV
THEA-207Acting II3
THEA-219Acting/Directing for the Camera I2
THEA-307Acting III3
THEA-319Acting/Directing for the Camera II2
THEA-339Industry Insiders3
THEA-341Directing I: Stage and Screen3
THEA-343Character Acting for Comedy3
THEA-419Acting/Directing for the Camera III2-3
or THEA-441 Directing for the Stage II
Suggested Electives
Select 14-15 units from the following:14-15
THEA-108A/108B
Theatrical Production I
or THEA-208A/208B
 Theatrical Production II
or THEA-308A/308B
 Theatrical Production III
or THEA-408A/408B
 Theatrical Production IV
THEA-133
Musical Theatre Dance I
THEA-137A/137B
Private Voice for Musical Theatre I
or THEA-237A/237B
 Private Voice for Musical Theatre II
or THEA-337A/337B
 Private Voice for Musical Theatre III
or THEA-437A/437B
 Private Voice for Musical Theatre IV
THEA-220
Musical Theatre Vocal Technique I
THEA-244
Musical Theatre Audition I
THEA-272
Playing Shakespeare
THEA-310
Improvisation
or THEA-338
 Stage Combat
THEA-331
Musical Theatre Vocal Technique II
THEA-323
Sound Design
THEA-344
Musical Theatre Audition II
THEA-350
Stage Management
THEA-360
Dramatic Lit: Script Analysis
THEA-433
Musical Theatre Dance II
THEA-441
Directing for the Stage II
or THEA-419
 Acting/Directing for the Camera III
THEA-442
Playwriting
THEA-451
Theatre Teaching Assistant
COMM-125
Introduction to Filmmaking
COMM-229
Intermediate Filmmaking Production
COMM-306
Writing for Film and New Media
COMM-376
Communication, Race and Ethnicity
COMM-382
Cinema Technology Series
COMM-387
Postproduction
COMM-388
Visual Storytelling: Narrative
COMM-458
Alternative Storytelling Techniques
COMM-460
Advanced Filmmaking
Total Units45
1

1-2 units per role

Disclaimer: This sample Four Year Plan is provided as a guide for the recommended sequencing of courses. Vanguard University requires that students complete a minimum of 120 units of required course work as outlined on the Requirements tab in order to receive a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It is the student's responsibility to confirm with the department the course rotation before enrolling in courses. If applicable, please note the footnotes at the bottom of the page for additional information related to courses listed in a particular year and term. Questions, contact the Department of Theatre Arts.

Study Abroad Participation: Students interested in participating in the university's Study Abroad programs are encouraged to reach out to the Global Education and Outreach Office for more information and collaboration in their academic course planning. Students using Education and Training Benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs are encouraged to also reach out to the School Certifying Official for more information regarding how benefits can be applied.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1 Term 1Units
CORE-100C Cornerstone 1
THEA-107 Acting I 3
THEA-PLBCCostume/ Set Or Scenic I 1
THEA-121 Movement and Voice 2
THEA-200C Intro to Theatre 3
SOC-PLCRSocial Science Core Curriculum Reqm't 3
THEO-PLHDTheology Core Requirement 3
COMM-125 Introduction to Filmmaking 1
 Units17
Year 1 Term 2
THEA-219 Acting/Directing for the Camera I 2
THEA-PLICCostume/Set or Scenic II 1
THEA-PLSMEStage Management or Elective 2
NT-101C New Testament Survey 3
ENGL-120C Persuasive Writing 3
THEA-132B Theatrical Performance I 0-2
 Units11-13
Year 2 Term 1
MATH-PLCRMath Core Requirement 3
THEA-202C History of Theatre I 3
THEA-319 Acting/Directing for the Camera II 2
OT-201C Old Testament Survey 3
THEA-232A Theatrical Performance II 0-2
ELCT-PLHD3AGeneral Elective 3 Units 3
 Units14-16
Year 2 Term 2
THEA-314 Makeup & Costume Design Fundamentals 3
THEA-207 Acting II 3
THEA-204C History of Theatre II 3
SOC-PLCRSocial Science Core Curriculum Reqm't 3
ELCT-PLHD3AGeneral Elective 3 Units 3
 Units15
Year 3 Term 1
THEA-307 Acting III 3
THEA-313 Scenic and Lighting Design Fundamentals 3
ENGL-220C Researched Writing 3
THEA-324 Theory and Criticism 3
THEA-272 Playing Shakespeare 3
 Units15
Year 3 Term 2
THEA-341 Directing I: Stage and Screen 3
KINE-148C Lifetime Fitness and Wellness Lecture 3
THEA-339 Industry Insiders 3
THEA-PLCSIStage Combat or Improvisation 2
THEA-332B Theatrical Performance III 0-2
THEA-386 Junior Project 1
THEO-300C Developing a Christian World View 3
 Units15-17
Year 4 Term 1
THEA-450 Theatre Internship 1-2
ENGL-230C Literature and the Human Experience 3
COMM-201C Speech Composition and Presentation 3
THEA-419 Acting/Directing for the Camera III 2
HIST-PLCR1History Core Req (US Hist Or Democracy) 3
 Units12-13
Year 4 Term 2
THEA-495C Senior Project 2
CHIS-400C Christian Heritage 3
NSCI-PLCRScience Lec/Lab Requirement 4
THEA-343 Character Acting for Comedy 3
HIST-PLCR2History Core Requirement (World Civ) 3
 Units15
 Total Units114-121
1

YEAR ONE TERM TWO :: 

  • THEA-132B Theatrical Performance I should only be enrolled in when cast in a production. 
  • THEA-PLHD2 may be met by completing THEA-338 Stage Combat or THEA-310 Improvisation.
  • THEA-338 Stage Combat or THEA-310 Improvisation is required. The course not taken as a requirement may be taken to fulfill elective units. 
2

YEAR TWO TERM ONE :: 

  • THEA-232A Theatrical Performance II should only be enrolled in when cast in a production. 
3

YEAR TWO TERM TWO :: 

  • The course offering rotation for MATH-PLCR and  THEA-341 Directing I: Stage and Screen (YEAR 3 TERM 2) changes. Students should check with the department for current course rotation.
4

YEAR THREE TERM ONE :: 

  • THEA-332A Theatrical Performance III or elective units
  • THEA-332A Theatrical Performance III should only be enrolled in when cast in a production. 
5

YEAR FOUR TERM ONE :: 

  • THEA-450 Theatre Internshipshould be served during the summer term, pending department approval.
  • THEA-272 Playing Shakespeare can fulfil 3 of these elective units.
 
6

YEAR FOUR TERM TWO :: 

  • THEA-495C Senior Project meets the Capstone requirement for this program.
  • THEA-441 Directing for the Stage II or elective units. This course is required if THEA-419 Acting/Directing for the Camera III has not been taken.