Students who are considering a major in theater should realize that the program demands a great commitment of both time and energy. The department offers an opportunity to pursue a rigorous and serious training program within a liberal arts setting. This requires many hours of study and work in the studios, classrooms, shops, theater, and offices. A good deal of the production work done occurs during the evenings and during weekends. The focus of the program is on training rather than on production alone. The extensive production program enables students to test out ideas and techniques encountered in the studio and classroom. Courses within the department afford training in the basic demands of the discipline — physical and vocal control, technique in acting and directing, technical and design skills — as well as the opportunity for advanced study, practical production experience, study abroad, and off-campus professional internships. The liberal arts requirements enable the student to better understand the moral, intellectual, and political context in which any artist practices. All theater majors take certain basic courses in each of the department's areas of study. For the best possible training, students in the upper divisions are urged to concentrate in performance, directing, design and technical theater. Students with specific interests that fall outside these concentrations such as stage management, playwriting, arts administration, or dramaturgy may develop a specialized course of study in consultation with faculty advisors in the department. A complete list of courses is available in the college catalogue.
Requirements for the Theater Major
A. The following ten courses:
- TH103 Introduction to Theater (Fall Only) (4 credits)
- TH129 Theater Production (try to complete by the end of the Sophomore year) (2 credits)
- TH130 Introduction to Design (try to complete by the end of the Sophomore year) (2 credits)
- TH229 Theater and Culture (Fall Only - complete by Fall of Junior year) (3 credits)
- TH230 Theater and Culture (Spring Only - complete by end of Junior year) (3 credits)
- TH140 Introduction to Directing (3 credits)
- TH250 Production Seminar (1-4 credits‡)
- TH235 The Skidmore Theater Company (1 credit*)
- TH335 The Skidmore Theater Company (2 credits**)
- A 300-level special studies class,
- TH333 Director as Collaborative Artist (3 credits), OR
- TH334 Special Studies in Theater History and Theatre (3 credits), OR
- TH341 History of American Theatre (3 credits)
Total: 24-27 credits
‡Production Seminar
- May be taken for 1, 2, 3 or 4 credits in any given semester
- May be taken for a maximum of 6 credits during a student's career
- Enrollment is predicated on the fact that a student has been cast in a production or has been assigned a significant staff position
- The choice of credits will be determined by both the student and the faculty member leading the seminar class and will reflect the anticipated time commitment as well as the student's course load
- Whenever involved in a Seminar Production as an actor or in a significant staff position, consider registering for this course immediately after casting is complete.
*TH235 may be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Many Theater student take this course each semester in the first three years at Skidmore.
**TH335 may be repeated for a maximum of 4 credits. Many Theater students take this course both semesters of the Senior year.
B. At least one course in dramatic literature from the following list: Total 3 Credits
EN 215, EN225, EN 339, EN 343, EN 345, EN 346, EN 359, FF 318, FG 356, FS 321, CL 222, CL223. Students may request permission of the Department to substitute other courses that have a significant dramatic literature component.
C. At least eighteen additional semester hours in the Theater Department Total 18 Credits
GRAND TOTAL: 45-48 Credits
TH377 SENIOR SEMINAR (1) is strongly recommended for all students who plan to pursue a professional career and/or graduate training in the theatre.
HONORS: Departmental honors are based on a quality point average of 3.5 in all major courses, satisfactory completion of Senior Project (TH376), and high quality work on other departmental projects.
INTERDEPARTMENTAL MAJOR: In conjunction with the Department of Exercise Science, Dance, and Athletics, the Theater Department offers a major in dance-theater. See Interdepartmental Majors.
THE THEATER MINOR: A minor in theater is available for students interested in a general education in theater but not necessarily intensive training in a single concentration. 23 semester hours are required: TH103, TH129 or TH130, TH104 or TH231, TH229, TH230, TH235, TH250; one 300-level course in theater beyond the introductory level; and one course in dramatic literature outside the department.
Those students interested in combining a study of theater with art, dance, literature, or music should consult with the Theater Department and their advisors in the formulation of a self-determined major.