About the Program
National Association of Schools of Theater (Accredited)
The Theater Department engages students in a wide variety of hands-on projects and activities, giving them the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios. A student’s classroom learning and engagement is supported by coordinating professional opportunities with area theaters and dance companies, providing access to mentorships and internships, and ensuring access to hands-on experience on our productions starting in their very first semester.
The department emphasizes artistry, pushing boundaries, and fostering diversity, equity, and compassion. Through advisement, students’ training can be general or have an emphasis in acting, directing, dance, playwriting, stage management, design, or technical theater. High standards afford a foundation for careers in professional theater, television, film, dance, and graduate admissions. A 19-credit-hour minor in theater and dance is also available.
About the Theater Department
222 Donald Savage Building
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-6416
Fax: (716) 878-4409
https://theater.buffalostate.edu/
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. be involved in the creation and presentation of public performances in the theater
2. develop visual and aural perceptions related to theater performances, as well as a structured approach (through linguistics) to the use of language in playwriting and the resultant script
3. understand basic production processes such as acting; directing; stage, costume, lighting and sound design; and basic technical operations related to productions
4. become familiar with the historical and cultural dimensions of theater, including the works of leading playwrights, actors, directors, and designers both past and present
5. understand and evaluate contemporary thinking about theater and related arts
6. make informed assessments of quality in works of theater
7. become familiar with and develop competence in a number of theater techniques
Program Requirements
General Education 23 Requirements
33 credit hours 33
Theater Major Requirements (42 credit hours)
Required Courses (26 credit hours)
THA 200 VOICE AND MOVEMENT I 3
THA 218 SCRIPT ANALYSIS I: PLAY READING 3
THA 226 ACTING I 3
THA 230 PRACTICUM I: INTRODUCTION TO THEATER TECHNOLOGY 1
THA 231 THEATER PRACTICUM II 1
THA 234 INTRODUCTION TO THEATER DESIGN 3
THA 316 SCRIPT ANALYSIS II 3
THA 318 THEATER HISTORY: BAROQUE TO MODERN 3
THA 330 THEATER PRACTICUM III 1
THA 331 THEATER PRACTICUM IV 1
THA 350 DIRECTING I 3
THA 416 SEMINAR IN THEATER ARTS 1
Electives by Advisement (10 - 16 credit hours)
THA 106 INTRODUCTION TO THEATER ARTS
THA 189 TOPICS COURSE (1-3)
THA 216 THEATER FUNDAMENTALS
THA 227 ACTING II: SCENE STUDY
THA 232 STAGE MANAGEMENT
THA 235 COSTUME CONSTRUCTION I
THA 245 STAGE COMBAT I
THA 300 VOICE AND MOVEMENT II
THA 317 THEATRE HISTORY: ANCIENT TO BAROQUE
THA 327 ACTING III: STYLES
THA 332 PERIOD STYLES AND CULTURE
THA 333 SCENE PAINTING
THA 335 COSTUME DESIGN FOR THEATER
THA 336 LIGHTING TECHNIQUES
THA 337 SET DESIGN I
THA 340 PLAYWRITING
THA 345 STAGE COMBAT II
THA 348 VOICE ACTING FOR ANIMATION AND VIDEO GAMES
THA 359 MUSICAL THEATER I
THA 370 STAGE MAKEUP
THA 389 TOPIC COURSE
THA 400 VOICE AND MOVEMENT III
THA 421 DRAMA FROM THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE
THA 426 ACTING IV: ON CAMERA
THA 470 ENSEMBLE THEATER (1-3)
THA 488 INTERNSHIP (1-12)
THA 495 SPECIAL PROJECT (1-3)
THA 497 WORKSHOP
THA 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY (3-12)
Interdisciplinary Electives (0-6 credit hours). May be satisfied if student completes 16 credit hours of General Electives in Theater Major 16
DAN 310 DANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATER
DAN 350 TAP DANCE TECHNIQUE I (1)
DAN 450 TAP DANCE TECHNIQUE II (1)
ENG 315 SHAKESPEARE I
All College Electives
45 credit hours 45
Total Credit Hours 120