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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Summary of Requirements | ||
| General Education Requirements | 24 | |
| Major and Track Course Requirements (vary by track) | 36-46 | |
General Track (36-37 hours) | ||
Performance Track (45-46 hours) | ||
Authorship Track (46 hours) | ||
| Electives (vary by track) | 49-60 | |
General Track (58-60 hours) | ||
Performance Track (49-51 hours) | ||
Authorship Track (49-50 hours) | ||
| DLG 120 | UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar (Required of new freshmen only) a | 1 |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses a | ||
| ENGL 160 | Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts | 3 |
| ENGL 161 | Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research | 3 |
| Exploring World Cultures course b | 3 | |
| Analyzing the Natural World course b | 3-5 | |
| Understanding the Individual and Society course b | 3 | |
| Understanding U.S. Society course b | 3 | |
| Additional General Education Core courses from any category b | 4-6 | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
| a | The Understanding the Past and Understanding the Creative Arts General Education requirements are met by courses within the major. |
| b | Students should consult the General Education section of the catalog for a list of approved courses in this category. |
Theatre and Performance Major and Track Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Students in all tracks complete 24 hours of major core course work: | ||
| IDEA 120 | Digital Practices in Design and Arts | 4 |
| THTR 101 | Introduction to Theatre History I: Premodern Drama a | 3 |
| THTR 141 | Acting I: Fundamentals | 3 |
| THTR 182 | Practicum in Theater: Run Crew | 1 |
| THTR 183 | Practicum in Theater: Build Crew | 1 |
| THTR 201 | Introduction to Theatre History II: Modern Theatre b | 3 |
| THTR 217 | Movement & Voice I | 3 |
| THTR 230 | Script Analysis for Theatrical Production | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Technical Theatre | ||
| Fundamentals in Costume Construction | ||
| 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 | ||
| Scenography: Introduction to Principles of Theatrical Design b | ||
| Capstone: Senior Project | ||
| Selectives (hours vary by track) | 9-21 | |
| General and Performance Tracks—Selectives | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Scenography: Introduction to Principles of Theatrical Design b | ||
| Scenic Design I | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Costume Design I | ||
| Makeup Design | ||
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Page to Stage: Adaptation of Text for Theatrical Performance | ||
| Improvisation for the Actor | ||
| Performance Ethnography | ||
| Stage Direction | ||
| Playwriting | ||
| Authorship Track—Selectives | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Scenic Design I | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Costume Design I | ||
| Select four of the following: | ||
| Page to Stage: Adaptation of Text for Theatrical Performance | ||
| Stage Direction | ||
| Playwriting | ||
| Contemporary Performance Techniques | ||
| Investigative Collaboration | ||
| Total Hours | 36-46 | |
| 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | ||
| Electives to reach total hours a | 49-60 | |
| Total Hours | 49-60 | |
| 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| DLG 120 | UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar (Required of new freshmen only) | 1 |
| Total Hours | 1 | |
Sample Course Schedule—General Track
Semesters in which required courses are offered may vary from those listed below.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| THTR 101 | Introduction to 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 (recommended elective) | 1 |
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 150 or THTR 151 |
Technical Theatre or Fundamentals in Costume Construction |
3 |
or Elective |
||
| THTR 217 | Movement & Voice I | 3 |
| DLG 120 | UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar | 1 |
| ENGL 161 | Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research | 3 |
| General Education Core course (THTR 105 is recommended) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 150 or THTR 151 |
Technical Theatre or Fundamentals in Costume Construction |
3 |
or Elective |
||
| THTR 183 | Practicum in Theater: Build Crew | 1 |
or Elective |
||
| THTR 201 | Introduction to Theatre History II: Modern Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 230 | Script Analysis for Theatrical Production | 3 |
| Elective, or one of the following Performance/Authorship Selectives: | 3 | |
| Page to Stage: Adaptation of Text for Theatrical Performance | ||
| Improvisation for the Actor | ||
| Performance Ethnography | ||
| Stage Direction a | ||
| Playwriting a | ||
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| IDEA 120 | Digital Practices in Design and Arts | 4 |
| THTR 183 | Practicum in Theater: Build Crew | 1 |
or Elective |
||
| THTR 241 | Acting II: Scene Study | 3 |
| Elective, or one of the following Design Selectives: | 3 | |
| Scenography: Introduction to Principles of Theatrical Design a | ||
| Scenic Design I a | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Costume Design I | ||
| Makeup Design | ||
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Elective | 1-2 | |
| Dance at Hubbard Street (recommended) | ||
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Elective, or one of the following Design Selectives: | 3 | |
| Scenography: Introduction to Principles of Theatrical Design a | ||
| Scenic Design I a | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Costume Design I | ||
| Makeup Design | ||
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Elective, or one of the following Performance/Authorship Selectives: | 3 | |
| Page to Stage: Adaptation of Text for Theatrical Performance | ||
| Improvisation for the Actor | ||
| Performance Ethnography | ||
| Stage Direction a | ||
| Playwriting a | ||
| Elective—recommended courses include: | 3 | |
| Practicum in Performance | ||
| Practicum in Theatre Administration | ||
| Practicum in Costuming | ||
| Practicum in Technical Theatre | ||
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Study Abroad in Theatre (recommended) | ||
| Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Elective, or one of the following Performance/Authorship Selectives: | 3 | |
| Page to Stage: Adaptation of Text for Theatrical Performance | ||
| Improvisation for the Actor | ||
| Performance Ethnography | ||
| Stage Direction a | ||
| Playwriting a | ||
| Elective—recommended courses include: | 1-3 | |
| Internship | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 13-15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| a | This course is only offered in the spring semester. |
Sample Course Schedule—Performance Track
Semesters in which required courses are offered may vary from those listed below.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| THTR 101 | Introduction to 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 (recommended elective) | 1 |
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 150 or THTR 151 |
Technical Theatre or Fundamentals in Costume Construction |
3 |
or Elective |
||
| THTR 217 | Movement & Voice I | 3 |
| DLG 120 | UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar | 1 |
| ENGL 161 | Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research | 3 |
| General Education Core course (THTR 105 is recommended) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 150 or THTR 151 |
Technical Theatre or Fundamentals in Costume Construction |
3 |
or Elective |
||
| THTR 183 | Practicum in Theater: Build Crew | 1 |
or Elective |
||
| THTR 201 | Introduction to Theatre History II: Modern Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 230 | Script Analysis for Theatrical Production | 3 |
| Elective, or one of the following Performance/Authorship Selectives: | 3 | |
| Page to Stage: Adaptation of Text for Theatrical Performance | ||
| Improvisation for the Actor | ||
| Performance Ethnography | ||
| Stage Direction a | ||
| Playwriting a | ||
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| IDEA 120 | Digital Practices in Design and Arts | 4 |
| THTR 183 | Practicum in Theater: Build Crew | 1 |
or Elective |
||
| THTR 241 | Acting II: Scene Study | 3 |
| THTR 317 | Movement & Voice II | 3 |
| Elective, or one of the following Design Selectives: | 3 | |
| Scenography: Introduction to Principles of Theatrical Design a | ||
| Scenic Design I a | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Costume Design I | ||
| Makeup Design | ||
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 341 | Acting III: Classics | 3 |
| Elective, or one of the following Design Selectives: | 3 | |
| Scenography: Introduction to Principles of Theatrical Design a | ||
| Scenic Design I a | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Costume Design I | ||
| Makeup Design | ||
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Elective, or one of the following Performance/Authorship Selectives: | 3 | |
| Page to Stage: Adaptation of Text for Theatrical Performance | ||
| Improvisation for the Actor | ||
| Performance Ethnography | ||
| Stage Direction a | ||
| Playwriting a | ||
| Elective—recommended courses include: | 3 | |
| Practicum in Performance | ||
| Practicum in Theatre Administration | ||
| Practicum in Costuming | ||
| Practicum in Technical Theatre | ||
| Electives | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Teaching Artist Seminar (recommended) | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Contemporary Performance Techniques (recommended) | ||
| Elective—recommended courses include: | 3 | |
| Internship or Independent Study |
||
| Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 449 | Capstone: Senior Project | 3 |
| Elective, or one of the following Performance/Authorship Selectives: | 3 | |
| Page to Stage: Adaptation of Text for Theatrical Performance | ||
| Improvisation for the Actor | ||
| Performance Ethnography | ||
| Stage Direction a | ||
| Playwriting a | ||
| Elective—recommended courses include: | 3 | |
| Internship or Independent Study |
||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| a | This course is only offered in the spring semester. |
Sample Course Schedule—Authorship Track
Semesters in which required courses are offered may vary from those listed below.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| THTR 101 | Introduction to 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 (recommended elective) | 1 |
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 150 or THTR 151 |
Technical Theatre or Fundamentals in Costume Construction |
3 |
or Elective |
||
| THTR 155 | Scenography: Introduction to Principles of Theatrical Design | 4 |
| THTR 217 | Movement & Voice I | 3 |
| DLG 120 | UIC First-Year Dialogue Seminar | 1 |
| ENGL 161 | Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research | 3 |
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| THTR 150 or THTR 151 |
Technical Theatre or Fundamentals in Costume Construction |
3 |
or Elective |
||
| THTR 183 | Practicum in Theater: Build Crew | 1 |
or Elective |
||
| THTR 201 | Introduction to Theatre History II: Modern Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 230 | Script Analysis for Theatrical Production | 3 |
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| IDEA 120 | Digital Practices in Design and Arts | 4 |
| THTR 183 | Practicum in Theater: Build Crew | 1 |
or Elective |
||
| Elective, or one of the following Design Selectives: | 3 | |
| Scenic Design I a | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Costume Design I | ||
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Introduction to American Musical Theatre (recommended) | ||
| Elective | 1-2 | |
| Dance at Hubbard Street (recommended) | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Elective, or one of the following Design Selectives: | 3 | |
| Scenic Design I a | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Costume Design I | ||
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| General Education Core course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Stage Management (recommended) | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Selectives—select two of the following Performance/Authorship Selectives: | 6 | |
| Page to Stage: Adaptation of Text for Theatrical Performance | ||
| Stage Direction a | ||
| Playwriting a | ||
| Contemporary Performance Techniques | ||
| Investigative Collaboration | ||
| Elective—recommend courses include: | 3 | |
| Practicum in Performance | ||
| Practicum in Theatre Administration | ||
| Practicum in Costuming | ||
| Practicum in Technical Theatre | ||
| Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Teaching Artist Seminar (recommended) | ||
| Elective, or Performance/Authorship Selective | 3 | |
| Contemporary Performance Techniques (or choose selectives in the spring semester) | ||
| Elective—recommended courses include: | 3 | |
| Internship or Independent Study |
||
| Elective—recommended courses include: | 3 | |
| Special Projects in Theatrical Design | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| THTR 449 | Capstone: Senior Project | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Teaching Artist Practicum (recommended) | ||
| Elective, or one or two of the following Performance/Authorship Selectives: | 3-6 | |
| Page to Stage: Adaptation of Text for Theatrical Performance | ||
| Stage Direction a | ||
| Playwriting a | ||
| Contemporary Performance Techniques | ||
| Investigative Collaboration | ||
| Elective—recommended courses include: | 3 | |
| Internship or Independent Study |
||
| Hours | 12-15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| a | This course is only offered in the spring semester. |