Department of Theatre and Dance

Dr. David Young, Department Head
e-mail: mailto:david.young@wku.edu
Website: www.wku.edu/theatre or Website: www.wku.edu/dance

Professors: S. Stroot, T. Tutino
Associate Professor:  D. Young
Assistant Professors: C. Brown, A. Clark, A. Duff, A. Grapko, T. Moore, S. Pollatsek
Instructor: J. Grapko
Optional Retirees: J. Brown, L. Ruff
Emeritus: W. Leonard, B. Veenker

The Department of Theatre and Dance offers 3 majors, and 4 minors. Our baccalaureate degrees in Theatre and in Dance are designed to offer students the opportunity to explore those disciplines in depth while leaving room to include a minor (or double major) in another discipline. Our interdisciplinary BFA in Performing Arts provides comprehensive pre-professional training in all aspects of theatre and dance production, with required concentration options available in acting, dance, directing, music theatre performance, and theatre design and technology. And finally, we offer 4 minors: a minor in Theatre, a minor in Music Theatre, a minor in Dance and a minor in Performing Arts Administration.

All of the programs of study offered by the Department of Theatre and Dance are designed to ensure a thoughtful balance of theory and practice. Our basic curriculum is comprehensive, featuring courses in dramatic theory, theatre history, voice, movement, acting, directing, children’s theatre, music theatre, performing arts management, technical theatre, sound design, scenic design, lighting design, costume design, dance technique (Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Tap) dance composition and choreography. Our intensive production season compliments that curriculum by offering students ample opportunity to put theory to the test as they work side by side with their peers, faculty and guest artists on a steady variety of theatre and dance productions. Career preparation is also woven into our curriculum with courses such as Audition Prep Workshop, Performing Arts Career Seminar, and independent study co-ops that allow students to earn college credit while working with theatre and dance companies.

When planning a program of study in this department, each student should be aware of the University’s academic requirements and regulations contained in this catalog in the chapter “Academic Information.” Specific attention should be given to the subsections in the chapter entitled (a) Academic Programs, (b) General Education Requirements, and (c) “Academic Requirements and Regulations.” Students should be aware that some academic programs may require additional scholastic regulations and standards not specified in the catalog. To obtain a copy of these regulations, students should contact the department head.

Major in Theatre (A.B.)
The major in theatre (reference number 798) requires a minimum of 45 semester hours and leads to a National Association for Schools of Theatre (NAST) accredited Bachelor of Arts degree. A minor or second major is required.

The following courses are required for the major:  PERF 175, THEA 219, 252, 363, 354 or 355, 364, and PERF 120, 121, 220, 221, 320, 321. Seven hours are required from the following performance courses:  PERF 105, 205, THEA 101, 371, 235, or any single dance technique course.  Six hours are required from the following technical production courses:  THEA 222, 250, 241.  Students must take 9 hours of restricted electives from any relevant course in drama, theatre, dance, music, theatre performance, etc. with an advisor’s approval.  Extra departmental electives may be taken with approval of the advisor and department head.

Major in Dance (A.B.)
The major in Dance (reference number 630) requires the completion of a minimum of 44 credit hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. A minor or second major is required.

The following courses are required:  PERF 175, 120, 121, DANC 200, 235, 310, 350, 420, BIOL 131 (tallied as part of the general education requirements), a technical production course chosen from THEA 250 or THEA 241, and 6 hours of upper-division restricted electives in dance or related areas.  In addition, students are required to complete 8 hours of ballet technique courses (2 hours each), 4 hours of modern technique courses (2 hours each), and 4 hours of jazz technique courses (2 hours each).  Initial placement for technique courses will be based on demonstrated skill level; students must achieve at least a 5 in either ballet or jazz and a level 3 in a second genre. 

Major in Performing Arts (B.F.A.)
The Performing Arts major (reference number 588) is an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Fine Arts degree that requires the completion of a common 37 semester hour performing arts breadth core and a 35-37 semester hour depth concentration in one of the following areas:

• Acting
• Dance
• Directing
• Drama/Playwriting
• Music Theatre
• Theatre Design and Technology

The Western Kentucky University Department of Theatre and Dance adheres to the standards for admission and retention at the BFA level outlined by the National Association for Schools of Theatre (NAST). Details of those admission and retention standards and policies are available via the department web site, www.wku.edu/theatre.

Performing Arts Core (37 hours) All concentrations require the following courses:  THEA 175, PERF 450, 451. 

• Nine hours of history/theory courses selected from:  THEA 252, 363, 364, 431, DANC 110, 350, 360.  Students pursuing any concentration (except the dance concentration) must take THEA 252 and THEA 363.  Acting, drama/playwriting, directing, and design technology concentrators must take THEA 364.  Music theatre concentrators must take THEA 431.  Dance concentrators must take DANC 350.
• Three hours of survey courses selected from:  ART 100, 105, or MUS 120.  Theatre design and technology concentrators must take ART 105.
• Five hours of performance courses selected from:  PERF 105, 205, THEA 101, 371, DANC 235, or any single dance technique course.  Music theatre concentrators must take THEA 101.
• Nine hours of design and production courses selected from:  THEA 219 and PERF 120-321 or DANC 300.
• Six hours of technical production courses selected from:  THEA 222, 250, 241.

1. Students demonstrating the ability to play the piano adequately may substitute an additional credit of any applied music lesson or vocal ensemble.
2. May be replaced with an additional applied music voice lesson by audition with the music department voice music faculty.

Minor in Dance
The minor in dance (reference number 344) requires a minimum of 27 semester hours. The requirements are:

• Ballet Technique Courses 4 hours (Initial placement based on demonstrated skill level. Must achieve at least level 5* in either Ballet or Jazz and level 3* in a second genre.)
• Jazz Technique Courses 4 hours (Initial placement based on demonstrated skill level. Must achieve at least level 5* in either Ballet or Jazz and level 3* in a second genre.)
• Modern Technique Courses 2 hours (Initial placement based on demonstrated skill level. Must achieve at least level 5* in either Ballet or Jazz and level 3* in a second genre.)
• PERF 120: Rehearsal & Production I 1 hour
• PERF 121: Rehearsal & Production II 1 hour
• DANC 235:  Dance Improvisation  3 hours
• DANC 310:  Choreography I  3 hours
• One of the following history courses: 
• DANC 360:  Dance in Culture  3 hours
• DANC 350:  Dance History  3 hours
• One of the following technical production courses:
• THEA 250:  Stage Electrics  3 hours
• THEA 241:  Costume Technology  3 hours
• Restricted Electives 3 hours (Three hours earned by successfully completing any upper-division DANC courses.)

* Please note that Dance courses at level III and up are upper-division courses and thus will serve to ensure that at least 50% of the coursework in this minor will be at the upper-division level.

Minor in Theatre
The minor in theatre (reference number 490) requires the completion of the following 26 credit hour program.  At least 50% of the coursework in this minor must be at the upper-division level.

Required Courses:

• THEA 252: Fundamentals of Theatre 3 hours
• THEA 363:  World Theatre History I  3 hours
• THEA 364:  World Theatre History II  3 hours
• PERF 120:  Rehearsal & Production I  1 hour
• PERF 121:  Rehearsal & Production II  1 hour

One of the following technical production courses

• THEA 222:  Stagecraft  3 hours
• THEA 250:  Stage Electrics  3 hours
• THEA 241:  Costume Technology  3 hours
  
  

Restricted Electives 12 hours

• Twelve hours earned by successfully completing any relevant courses in Drama, Theatre, Dance, Music, Theatre Performance or related fields, with the approval of the Theatre and Dance Department Head. THEA 151 is a required general education course.

Minor in Musical Theatre
The minor in musical theatre (reference number 424) offers students the opportunity to attain basic skills required for musical theatre performance.  It requires the completion of a minimum of 28 credit hours, as indicated below:

• Two dance technique courses (2 credits each, students must earn 4 credits).  Recommended: DANC 113 or 213 (Jazz); DANC 115 or 215 (Tap). Note:  Course number is determined by initial placement.
• THEA 101:  Acting I  3 hours
• THEA 300:  Acting II 3 hours (PERF 205 prerequisite is waived for this minor.)
• MUS 162:  Group Voice  1 hour
• MUS 150: Applied Music Secondary – Voice  1 hour
• PERF 120: Rehearsal and Production I  1 hour
• THEA 306: Music Theatre Ensemble OR THEA 121: Rehearsal and Production II  1 hour
• THEA 252:  Fundamentals of Theatre  3 hours
• THEA 363: Theatre History I  3 hours
• THEA 431:  Musical Theatre History & Repertoire  3 hours
• One elective from any upper-division DANC, THEA, or PERF course  3 hours
• THEA 307:  Musical Theatre Workshop I  2 hours

Minor in Performing Arts Administration
A 24 hour interdisciplinary minor (reference number 428) offering students an opportunity to learn and practice the fundamentals of performing arts management and administration.

Nine credit hours from at least two of these subject areas: Theatre, Music, Dance. Students pursuing major concentrations in one of these performing arts areas should distribute these 9 hours across the other two disciplines.

• MKT 220: Basic Marketing Concepts 3 hours
• MGT 333: Managing in the Non-Profit Sector 3 hours
• PERF 423: Performing Arts Management 3 hours
• ACCT 200: Introductory Accounting-Financial Or BA 110: Intro to Business and Entrepreneurship 3 hours
• JOUR 355: Fundamentals of Public Relations* Or MKT 322: Integrated Marketing Communications 3 hours

* Carries the prerequisites of JOUR 201 and 202 for Journalism majors only.