Coffman, Thacker

For advising purposes, all students registering in a Theatre degree program enroll through the Katherine K. Herberger College of Fine Arts. Special advising check sheets, providing complete information regarding requirements and suggested electives, are available in the School of Theatre and Film office and on its Web site for the BA degree program.

PreMajor Program and Interviews/Auditions for the BA in Theatre

Effective fall 2006, all undergraduate students applying for and gaining admission to ASU as a potential Theatre major will be first admitted to the premajor program in Theatre. This classification will remain in effect until the student has passed an entry interview or audition to the BA Theatre program.

Entry interviews or auditions will be held three times per year: early April for entering freshman who have not yet begun their course work, late October for currently enrolled students and transfer students who will begin in the spring semester, and mid-February for students starting in spring semester or who fail to meet entry criteria the first time. Once entry criteria have been met, the student’s major code will be changed to Theatre and he or she will be able to register for majors-only courses.

Incoming freshman and transfer students who are unable to travel to the Tempe campus in April can be admitted into the premajor program and interview or audition in late October for formal admission as a Theatre major. Specific dates for interviews or auditions can be obtained from the Herberger College of Fine Arts and the School of Theatre and Film.

If a student fails to pass the entry criteria, he or she will remain in the premajor program for a maximum of one year with the following provisos: (1) continued advising through the Herberger College of Fine Arts; (2) placement in General Studies courses appropriate to the planned major, including THE 125 Orientation to Theatre to better prepare for subsequent admission interview or auditions. The student can seek formal entry (no more than two times), once in each of the following semesters (excluding winter and summer sessions). If a student fails to pass the entry criteria after three attempts, he or she will work with the School of Theatre and Film and Herberger College of Fine Arts advisors to choose another major suited to his or her interests.

Transfer students should seek formal entry through successful passage of the interview or audition process before the start of their first semester so that they can transfer in as Threatre majors. If they are unable to meet entry criteria, then the provisos listed in the above paragraph will apply. Transfer students who do not meet entry criteria on their first attempt will be required to take THE 125 Orientation to Theatre to better prepare them for a subsequent successful interview/audition process.

Criteria for Formal Admission to the BA in Theatre Program

In addition to the scheduled interview or audition with faculty, premajors in Theatre must submit the following application materials to be considered for admission as a Theatre major in the Herberger College of Fine Arts:

 1. a three-page, double-spaced essay answering the question: “Why are the threatre and the performing arts important, and how will their study further your own goals?”;

 2. a short (no more than two-pages, double spaced) critical essay about a theatrical production or film the student has seen;

 3. at least one and no more than three letters of reference from a teacher or someone with whom the student has had professional and/or artistic interaction. (Do not submit letters from relatives or close friends. These letters may be mailed directly to the Herberger College of Fine Arts [see the address below] or included with your application materials); and

 4. one item of the students’s choosing from among the following:

 a. an additional writing sample of any length on a theatre or film topic of the student’s choice;

 b. two one-minute audition monologues (one contemporary, one not);

 c. a portfolio of at least ten images of theatrical design, visual arts, or production activity that may include scene or costume sketches, lighting storyboards, drafting, artwork, or audio material;

 d. an original ten-minute play;

 e. a two to three page essay answering the question, “How does threatre benefit children and adolescents?”;

 f. an original screenplay of any length; or

 g. an original video (no more than ten minutes in length).

The admissions committee will be composed of a cross-disciplinary group of theatre faculty appointed on staggered terms. The committee provides students with written feedback on their materials submitted for admission.

All admissions materials should be mailed to:

STUDENT ACADEMIC SERVICES

HERBERGER COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

PO BOX 872102

TEMPE AZ 85287-2102

Admissions materials should be received by January 15 for mid-February interviews or auditions; by March 1 for early April interviews or auditions; and by September 15 for October interviews or auditions. Students can call 480/965-4495 with any questions about the application process or to schedule an interview or audition.

Freshmen and sophomores who meet university and departmental standards must receive a grade of “C” (2.00) or higher in all major courses and a 2.50 cumulative GPA during their first semester to continue in the BA Theatre program. Students failing to meet these requirements have one semester of departmental probation to receive a “C” (2.00) or higher in major courses and raise their cumulative GPA to 2.50. Students failing to meet the above requirements by the end of the first year (two semesters) are asked to seek advising regarding other majors.

Theatre—BA

The major in Theatre consists of 57 or 58 semester hours. The following 33 or 34 semester hours of core courses are required of all BA degree candidates:

THP 213 Introduction to Technical Theatre (4)

THP 214 Introduction to Costuming (3)

Three semester hours of departmental approved course work in dramatic literature are also required. Check the department advising office for a list of eligible courses.

Twenty-four semester hours of THE and THP electives are selected by the student and advisor to complete the 57 or 58 semester hours required in the major. These 24 semester hours can constitute an optional focus area for the student, which involves enrolling in related course work from one of six subject areas in Theatre: (1) theatre and performance studies; (2) directing and performance; (3) design and production; (4) playwriting and dramaturgy; (5) theatre for youth; and (6) film. A list of recommended courses appropriate to each area is available from the department advising office. Undergraduate students interested in pursuing Arizona teacher certification or endorsement for Theatre are encouraged to pursue the focus area in theatre for youth, then obtain postbaccalaureate teacher certification through the ASU College of Education or another Arizona educational institution. General Studies courses make up 35 semester hours of the total courses required. Additional elective courses are selected with an advisor to meet the total 120 semester hours required for the degree.

Within the major, only courses with a grade of “C” (2.00) or higher may be applied toward graduation.

Students who transfer 55 semester hours or more are required to enter with and retain a 2.50 GPA in theatre courses and a 2.00 cumulative GPA.

Acting Concentration

The major in Theatre with a concentration in acting prepares students for both advanced graduate study in the field

and independent career pursuits in performance. In addition to required core courses, the acting concentration consists of 23 or 24 semester hours. The following nine semester hours are required:

THP 272 Acting: Introduction to Movement (3)

THP 277 Acting: Introduction to Voice (3)

THP 285 Acting: Beginning Scene Study (3)

One of the following two courses (two or three semester hours) is also required toward the end of the program of study:

THP 388 Acting: Audition Techniques (3)

THP 489 Acting: Career Development (2)

Twelve semester hours in acting elective course work completes the concentration.

Students are strongly encouraged to apply for admission to the concentration at the end of the freshman year to allow for three academic years of supervision. Transfer students should apply for the concentration at the end of their first semester at ASU. Admission requirements include an audition with a committee of acting faculty members (conducted at the end of each semester) plus the submission of a one-page letter of intent, a résumé, and an unofficial transcript (minimum 2.50 overall GPA and a 3.00 Theatre GPA required). Retention in the concentration is based on satisfactory artistic work and growth, production participation, evidence of a strong work ethic, and maintenance of a minimum 2.50 overall GPA and a 3.00 Theatre GPA.

Eligible students denied admission into the acting concentration can reapply the following year.

Scenography Concentration

The major in Theatre with a concentration in scenography prepares students for advanced graduate study in the field and entry-level careers in performance design and technology. In addition to core course requirements, the concentration in scenography consists of 24 or 25 semester hours. Twelve semester hours from among the following are required:

THP 317 Stage Management (3)

THP 340 Scene Design (3)

THP 345 Lighting Design (3)

THP 350 Sound Design (3)

THP 430 Costume Design (3)

THP 442 Drawing (3)

THP 494 ST: Technical Direction (3)

THP 494 ST: Multimedia Design in Theatre (3)

One of the following two courses (three or four semester hours), not taken as part of the core, is also required:

THP 213 Introduction to Technical Theatre (4)

THP 214 Introduction to Costuming (3)

Nine semester hours in theatre design or theatre technology elective course work, which may be accomplished through production courses, completes the concentration.

Application for admission into the concentration is suggested at the end of the freshman year to allow three years of academic supervision. Transfer students should apply for the concentration during their first semester at ASU. Admission requirements include an interview with design and production faculty (conducted at the end of each semester) and submission of a letter of intent, a portfolio, and an unofficial transcript (a minimum GPA of 2.50 is required). A résumé is optional. Design and production faculty will meet monthly with students as a group to monitor personal progress, to assess portfolio development, and to develop a community. Retention in the program is based on satisfactory artistic growth (as evidenced in a mandatory portfolio reflecting work completed during each semester), production participation, and maintenance of a 2.50 GPA. For more information, see the BA in Scenography Concentration Handbook.

Eligible students denied admission into the scenography concentration can appeal in writing to the director of the undergraduate scenography program.

Film—BA

Admission to the BA in Film (Film and Media Production)

The BA in Film is a joint effort of the Katherine K. Herberger College of Fine Arts (HCFA) and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). Students take a core group of six courses spread across both colleges before seeking admission to the concentration in film and media production offered by the School of Theatre and Film or the concentration in film and media studies offered by CLAS. Students in the premajor program, exploratory students, or others can apply for admission to the BA in Film with a concentration in film and media production in the semester in which they are completing the 18-semester hour core of BA in Film courses. Applicants to the film and media production concentration must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the core classes.

These courses must be completed with a minimum 3.00 GPA by the end of the semester in which application is made to the BA in Film with a concentration in film and media production.

FMS 100 Introduction to Film (CLAS) (3)

FMS 200 Film History (CLAS) (3)

FMS 270 Race and Ethnicity in American Film (CLAS) (3)

THE 201 Film: The Creative Process I: Production Survey (HCFA) (formerly THE 300) (3)

THE 400 FOF: Introduction to Ethics in Entertainment* (HCFA) (3)

THP 261 Introduction to Screenwriting (HCFA) (3)

* Course renumbering is in process; see an academic advisor to confirm course eligibility.

Students interested in the film and media production concentration must submit the following application materials by the first week of March to be considered for acceptance:

 1. interview with faculty—the interview date for students is the first week of April;

 2. a three-page, double-spaced essay answering the question “Why do you want to study film and media production, and how will this study further your own goals?”;

 3. a short (no more than two-page, double-spaced) critical essay about a film the applicant has seen;

 4. at least one and no more than three letters of reference from teachers or others with whom the applicant has had a professional and/or artistic interaction;

 5. one of the following:

 a. an original screenplay of any length

 b. an original video (no more than 10 minutes in length) on DVD or VHS.

Transfer students who are eligible to apply to the film program who are unable to travel to the Tempe campus in April can be admitted into the premajor program and interview in October for formal admission to the major.

All supplemental materials should be sent to:

STUDENT ACADEMIC SERVICES

HERBERGER COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

PO BOX 872102

TEMPE AZ 85287-2102

Materials should be received by March 1, 2006. Call 480/965-4495 with any questions about the application process or interviews.

The admissions committee is made up of a cross-disciplinary group of theatre/film faculty appointed on staggered terms. The committee provides students with written feedback on the material submitted for admission.

Film and Media Production Concentration

The BA in Film with a concentration in film and media production consists of 57 semester hours. The following are required of all students:

FMS 100 Introduction to Film (3)

FMS 200 Film History (3)

FMS 270 Race and Ethnicity in American Film (3)

THE 201 Film: The Creative Process I: Production Survey (3)

THE 220 Principles of Dramatic Analysis (3)

THE 400 Introduction to Ethics in Entertainment* (3)

THE 403 Independent Film (3)

THP 261 Introduction to Screenwriting (3)

THP 387 Acting: TV and Film (3)

THP 428 Theatre and the Future (capstone) (6)

THP 494 ST: Business Ethics in Entertainment Media (3)

Selected FMP courses* (9)

* Course renumbering is in process; see an academic advisor to confirm course eligibility.

Total of required courses: 45 semester hours; an additional 12 hours of approved courses in production are also required.

A minimum GPA of 3.00 must be maintained in all required courses for continuation in the concentration.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to fulfilling the major requirements, students must meet all university graduation requirements. See University Graduation Requirements.

Minor

The department offers a minor in Theatre consisting of 22 semester hours of course work. The following courses are required:

Concentration area* (9)

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