BA in Theatre and Performance

Degree Requirements—BA in Theatre and Performance

To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance from UIC, students need to complete university, college, and school degree requirements. The School of Theatre & Music degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies. Admission to the BA in Theatre and Performance is by audition, interview, or presentation of student work.

Summary of Requirements
General Education Requirements24
Degree and Track Course Requirements (vary by track)35-44
General Track (35 hours)
Performance Track (44 hours)
Authorship Track (41 hours)
Electives (vary by track)51-61
General Track (60-61 hours)
Performance Track (51-52 hours)
Authorship Track (54-55 hours)
DLG 120UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar (Required of new freshmen only) a1
Total Hours120
a

Hours of electives required are based upon the track selected by students within the BA in Theatre and Performance, and whether they are required to complete DLG 120 for 1 hour (required of new freshmen only).

General Education Requirements

Required Courses a
ENGL 160Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts3
ENGL 161Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research3
Exploring World Cultures course b3
Analyzing the Natural World course b3-5
Understanding the Individual and Society course b3
Understanding U.S. Society course b3
Additional General Education Core courses from any category b4-6
Total Hours24
a

The Understanding the Past and Understanding the Creative Arts General Education requirements are met by courses within the degree.

b

Students should consult the General Education section of the catalog for a list of approved courses in this category.

Theatre and Performance Degree and Track Course Requirements
Required Courses
Students in all tracks complete 20 hours of degree core course work:
THTR 101Theatre History I: Premodern Drama a3
THTR 141Acting I: Fundamentals3
THTR 182Practicum in Theater: Run Crew1
THTR 183Practicum in Theater: Build Crew1
THTR 201Theatre History II: Modern Theatre b3
THTR 217Movement & Voice I3
THTR 230Script Analysis for Theatrical Production3
THTR 448The Business of Theatre: A Career in the Arts3
Required Courses by Track (hours vary by track)3-12
General Track—Required Courses
Acting II: Scene Study
Performance Track—Required Courses
Acting II: Scene Study
Movement & Voice II
Acting III: Classics
Capstone: Senior Project
Authorship Track—Required Courses
Capstone: Senior Project
Selectives (hours vary by track)12-18
All tracks select one of the following three Design, Production, and Technology sequences:
Fundamental of Theatre Technology
Costume Technology I: Introduction to Costume Technology
Lighting Technology I: An Introduction to Lighting Tech
Scenic Technology I: An Introduction to Stagecraft for the Theatre
OR
Fundamentals of Theatre Design b
Lighting Design I: An Introduction to Lighting Design
Costume Design I
Sound Design: An Introduction to Sound Design for Theatre
Scenic Design I
Makeup Design
OR
Fundamental of Theatre Technology
Fundamentals of Theatre Design
Authorship Selectives:
General and Performance Tracks—Select two courses from the following list.
Authorship Track—Select four courses from the following list.
Improvisation for the Actor
Page to Stage: Adaptation of Text for Theatrical Performance
Performance Ethnography
Stage Direction
Playwriting
Contemporary Performance Techniques
Total Hours35-44
a

This course is approved for the Understanding the Past General Education category or the Understanding the Creative Arts General Education category.

b

This course is approved for the Understanding the Creative Arts General Education category.

Electives

Electives
Electives to reach total hours a51-61
Total Hours51-61
a

Hours of electives are based on the track selected by the students within the BA in Theatre and Performance, and whether they are required to complete DLG 120 for 1 hour (required of new freshmen only).

UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar

Required Course
DLG 120UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar (Required of new freshmen only)1
Total Hours1

Sample Course Schedule—General Track

Semesters in which required courses are offered may vary from those listed below.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
THTR 101 Theatre History I: Premodern Drama 3
THTR 141 Acting I: Fundamentals 3
THTR 182 Practicum in Theater: Run Crew 1
ENGL 160 Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts 3
ISA 100 Freshman Seminar: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Practice in the Arts 1
General Education course 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
Design, Production, and Technology Selective 1 (THTR 150 or THTR 155) 3
THTR 217 Movement & Voice I 3
ENGL 161 Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research 3
DLG 120 UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar 1
General Education course 3
General Education course 3
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
THTR 183 Practicum in Theater: Build Crew 1
THTR 201 Theatre History II: Modern Theatre 3
THTR 230 Script Analysis for Theatrical Production 3
General Education course 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
THTR 241 Acting II: Scene Study 3
Design, Production, and Technology Selective 2 (see list above) 3
General Education course 3
Elective (consider THTR 103 or THTR 105) 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
Authorship Selective 1 (see list above) 3
General Education course 3
Elective (consider THTR 254) 3
Elective (consider MUS 190) 1
Elective (consider a practicum) 2
Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Authorship Selective 2 (see list above) 3
Elective (consider THTR 299 or THTR 388) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
*Consider Study Abroad  
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective (consider THTR 384, THTR 498, or THTR 494) 3
Elective (consider a practicum) 2
*Consider Study Abroad  
 Hours14
Spring Semester
THTR 448 The Business of Theatre: A Career in the Arts 3
Elective (consider THTR 385, THTR 498, or THTR 494) 3
Elective (consider a third Authorship course) 3
Elective (consider a third Design, Production, and Technology course) 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120

Sample Course Schedule—Performance Track

Semesters in which required courses are offered may vary from those listed below.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
THTR 101 Theatre History I: Premodern Drama 3
THTR 141 Acting I: Fundamentals 3
THTR 182 Practicum in Theater: Run Crew 1
ENGL 160 Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts 3
ISA 100 Freshman Seminar: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Practice in the Arts 1
General Education course 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
Design, Production, and Technology Selective 1 (THTR 150 or THTR 155) 3
THTR 217 Movement & Voice I 3
ENGL 161 Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research 3
DLG 120 UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar 1
General Education course 3
General Education course 3
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
THTR 183 Practicum in Theater: Build Crew 1
THTR 201 Theatre History II: Modern Theatre 3
THTR 230 Script Analysis for Theatrical Production 3
THTR 317 Movement & Voice II 3
Authorship Selective 1 (THTR 240 recommended) 3
Elective 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
THTR 241 Acting II: Scene Study 3
Design, Production, and Technology Selective 2 (see list above) 3
General Education course 3
General Education course 3
Elective (consider THTR 103 or THTR 105) 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
Authorship Selective 2 (see list above) 3
General Education course 3
Elective (consider THTR 254) 3
Elective (consider MUS 190) 1
Elective (consider a practicum) 2
Elective 3
*Consider Study Abroad  
 Hours15
Spring Semester
THTR 341 Acting III: Classics 3
Elective (consider THTR 299 or THTR 388) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
*Consider Study Abroad  
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Elective (consider THTR 384, THTR 498, or THTR 494) 3
Elective (consider a practicum) 2
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
*Consider Study Abroad  
 Hours14
Spring Semester
THTR 448 The Business of Theatre: A Career in the Arts 3
THTR 449 Capstone: Senior Project 3
Elective (consider THTR 385, THTR 498, or THTR 494) 3
Elective (consider a third Authorship course) 3
Elective (consider a third Design, Production, and Technology course) 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120

Sample Course Schedule—Authorship Track

Semesters in which required courses are offered may vary from those listed below.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
THTR 101 Theatre History I: Premodern Drama 3
THTR 141 Acting I: Fundamentals 3
THTR 182 Practicum in Theater: Run Crew 1
ENGL 160 Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts 3
ISA 100 Freshman Seminar: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Practice in the Arts 1
General Education course 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
Design, Production, and Technology Selective 1 (THTR 150 or THTR 155) 3
THTR 217 Movement & Voice I 3
ENGL 161 Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research 3
DLG 120 UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar 1
General Education course 3
General Education course 3
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
THTR 183 Practicum in Theater: Build Crew 1
THTR 201 Theatre History II: Modern Theatre 3
THTR 230 Script Analysis for Theatrical Production 3
Authorship Selective 1 (THTR 240 recommended) 3
Elective (consider THTR 254) 3
Elective 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
Design, Production, and Technology Selective 2 (see list above) 3
General Education course 3
General Education course 3
Elective (consider a practicum) 3
Elective (consider THTR 103 or THTR 105) 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
Authorship Selective 2 (see list above) 3
General Education course 3
Elective (consider MUS 190) 1
Elective (consider a practicum) 2
Elective 3
Elective 3
*Consider Study Abroad  
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Authorship Selective 3 (see list above) 3
Authorship Selective 4 (see list above) 3
Elective (consider THTR 299 or THTR 388) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Elective (consider THTR 384, THTR 498, or THTR 494) 3
Elective (consider a practicum) 2
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
*Consider Study Abroad  
 Hours14
Spring Semester
THTR 448 The Business of Theatre: A Career in the Arts 3
THTR 449 Capstone: Senior Project 3
Elective (consider THTR 385, THTR 498, or THTR 494) 3
Elective (consider a third Design, Production, and Technology course) 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120