ISU Theatre Academic Information

Page

Undergraduate Study

Three dancers on stage in Street SceneStudents interested in theatre as a major area of concentration declare a major in Performing Arts and select an emphasis in Theatrical Design or Acting/Directing. Students implement the theories and principles explored in the classroom by participating in production work. During the academic year, Iowa State University Theatre presents up to ten mainstage and second stage productions in Fisher Theater, and works in close collaboration with ISU Music and Dance.

The major in Performing Arts offers the undergraduate student a cross-disciplinary concentration in Music, Dance and Theatre. The core curriculum consists of 24 credit hours in the three areas. Students elect a 24 credit hour emphasis in either Dance, Theatrical Design or Acting/Directing. In addition to coursework, Performing Arts majors and minors participate in concert (Orchesis, Footfalls), workshop (Opera Studio, Minority Theatre Workshop) and production (Barchje, Stars Over Veishea, ISU Theatre/Music Theatre/Second Stage and Studio) experiences.

The Performing Arts curriculum produces graduates with a well-rounded liberal arts education and a concentration in the performing arts. Graduates from this program are well prepared for the work force, graduate schools or pre-professional intensive training programs.

The program follows all requirements for a baccalaureate degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. These include a minimum of 124.5 credits, hours of which 32 must be earned at ISU and at least 45 of which must be in courses numbered 300 or above. Students must earn the minimum credits listed in each of the four general education groups required by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in addition to the basic education requirements (English 104 and 105, Library 160 for 6.5 credit hours). Interdisciplinary courses may be used to satisfy requirements in any group for which they have been approved, but a student may not apply the same course to more than one group. If the student has had less than three years of a foreign language in high school, a one-year sequence is required at Iowa State University. A minimum of 36 credit hours in electives selected from classes across the University complete the baccalaureate degree.

Outcomes Assessment for Performing Arts

Four-Year Study Plans (Required Courses)
 

General Education Requirements

  1. Arts and Humanities (minimum 12 credits)
  2. Verbal communication (minimum 2 credits)
  3. Natural sciences and mathematical disciplines (minimum II credits including 3 in the mathematical disciplines and 8 in the natural sciences)
  4. Social sciences (minimum 9 credits)
     

Major and Courses

General Major Requirements

Music 102 Introduction to Music Listening – 3 credits
Music 105 Basic Musicianship – 3 credits
Dance 130 Ballet I – 1 credit
Dance 220 Modern Dance Composition – 2 credits
Dance 270 Dance Appreciation – 3 credits
Theatre 255 Introduction to Theatrical Production – 4 credits
Theatre 263 Script Analysis – 3 credits
Theatre 365 Theatrical Design I – 3 credits
Perf 105 Issues in the Performing Arts (six semesters) – R
Perf 310 Performing Arts Internship (two required for graduation) – R
Perf 401 Performing Arts Seminar – 2 credits
Total Credits – 24

Acting/Directing Emphasis

Music 290F Special Problems Applied Music – 1 credit
Theatre 151 The Actor’s Voice – 3 credits
Theatre 250 Theatre Practicum – 2 credits
Theatre 251 Acting I – 3 credits
Theatre 351 Acting II – 3 credits
Theatre 451 Acting III – 3 credits
Theatre 455 Directing I – 3 credits
Theatre 465 History of Theatre I – 3 credits
Theatre 466 History of Theatre II – 3 credits
Total Credits – 24

Theatrical Emphasis

Music 290F Special Problems Applied Music – 1 credit
Theatre 250 Theatre Practicum – 2 credits
Theatre 360 Stagecraft – 4 credits
Theatre 393 Theatrical Design II- 3 credits
Theatre 455 Directing I – 3 credits
Theatre 461 Advanced Design – 4 credits
Theatre 465 History of Theatre I – 3 credits
Theatre 466 History of Theatre II – 3 credits
Total credits – 23

Dance Emphasis

Art 101 Foundations of Art and Design – 3 credits
Music 133 Basic Voice Techniques – 1 credit
Dance 222 Modern Dance II – 1 credit
Dance 224 Concert and Theatre Dance – 2 credits
Dance 232 Ballet II – 1 credit
Dance 360 History and Philosophy of Dance – 3 credits
Dance 370 Advanced Studies in Dance – 2 credits
ExSc 355 Biomechanics – 4 credits
Select 2 credits from:
Dance 140 
Jazz I – 1 credit
Dance 150 Tap Dance I – 1 credit
Dance 160 Ballroom Dance I – 1 credit
Dance 170 Folk and Square Dance – 1 credit
Dance 211 Fundamentals of Folk, Square, and Social Dance – 1 credit
(Instead of Dance 160-170) 
Select 2 credits from:
Dance 233 
Modern Dance III – 1 credit
Dance 233 Ballet III – 1 credit
Dance 242 Jazz II – 1 credit
Dance 243 Jazz III – 1 credit
Dance 262 Ballroom Dance II – 1 credit
Select 3 credits from:
Dance 320 
Sound and Movement – 3 credits
Dance 384 Teaching Children’s Dance – 2 credits
Dance 385 Methods of Teaching Dance – 2 credits
Dance 386 Teaching Dance Technique and Composition – credits
Total Credits – 24

Minor in Performing Arts