Theatre Studies
The Theatre Studies Concentration is designed for students who want to study the many aspects of theatre and offers a wide range of courses to allow students to personalize their academic experience according to their interests, including Introduction to Design and Technology, Modern Languages, Playwriting, Acting, Shakespeare Survey, Theatre History, and Directing. The program also supports students to expand their craft through production directing, writing, dramaturgy opportunities, tech assignments, and performance work.
Theatre Studies is the most flexible of the concentrations in terms of obtaining more than one degree while at Wagner. This is also the most flexible of the concentrations in terms of accepting transfer credits and community college degrees; if a student is transferring from a community college and is looking to complete a Theatre degree at Wagner in two years, Theatre Studies should be the curriculum followed. Theatre Studies students especially are also encouraged to study a semester abroad during their time at Wagner with the IES Abroad Theatre Studies program, which takes place in London, England. Theatre Studies majors often go on to graduate school and work professionally as theatre-makers after their time at Wagner.
“The Theatre Studies major at Wagner opened my eyes to all the possibilities a career in theatre can offer me. The flexibility of the program allowed me to double major in Theatre and English, participate in department and student-run productions, study abroad in London with the IES Abroad Theatre Studies program my junior year, complete a part-time internship with a talent agency my senior year, write and direct my own play as part of my senior thesis project, and pursue my specific academic interests with my thesis paper. The opportunities I had and diverse educational opportunities I was offered gave me a well-rounded understanding of the theatre industry and academia.” --Emily Lagace, Class of 2020.
Th014-18: Production Practicum (4 0 unit experiences)
Th106: Introduction to Acting
Th111: Introduction to Design and Technology
Th233: Theatre History
En212: Introduction to Literary Analysis and Theory
En326: Drama Survey (W)
En327: Advanced Drama: Renaissance and Modern (W)
En330: Shakespeare (W)
Th108: Stage Lighting and Electronics
Th109: Stage Costuming
Th110: Scene Painting
Th323: Lighting Design
Th324: Period Styles
Th350: Stage Management
Da401: Choreography
Senior Learning Community
Th400: Senior Seminar
Th595: Advanced Theatre Practicum
Cognates: Students will demonstrate some experience in another language so native English speakers must complete two levels of a foreign language.
Requirements for a Major in Theatre & Speech: Theatre Studies (B.A.) Who Declare In 2022 or After
Foundations (7 units):
- TH011: Theatre Lab (2 half unit classes)
- TH014-18: Production Practicum (4 0 unit experiences)
- TH103: Script Analysis (RR)
- TH106: Introduction to Acting (CC, O)
- TH111: Introduction to Design and Technology (C, O)
- EN212: Introduction to Literary Analysis and Theory (LL, RR, W)
- EN330: Shakespeare (RR, WW)
- TH233: Theatre History (UU, LL)
Creative Practice (7 units);
- EN215: Creative Writing I (CC) (R) (WC)
- EN316: Creative Writing II (CC) (R) (WC)
- FM101 Introduction to Filmmaking or FM322 Screenwriting
- TH229: Devised Theatre (O)
- TH290 Playwriting (WW)
- TH310: Directing I
- TH311 Directing II
Senior Learning Community (2 units)
TH400: Senior Seminar (WW) & TH595: Advanced Theatre Practicum
Cognates: It is recommended that students complete two semesters of foreign language.
Proposed schedule of classes:
First Year:
- Script Analysis
- Intro to Design
- Intro to Acting
- Creative Writing I
- 1 Production Practicum
Second Year:
- Intro to Literary Theory
- Devised Theatre
- Playwriting
- Introduction to Filmmaking or Screenwriting
- 1 Production Practicum
Third Year:
- Theatre History
- Shakespeare
- Directing I
- Directing II
- 1 Production Practicum: Dramaturgy
Fourth Year:
- Creative Writing II
- 2 Theatre Labs
- Advanced Theatre Practicum
- Senior Seminar (SLC)
- 1 Production Practicum