THEATRE DEGREE PROGRAMS

Major in Theatre - Acting and Directing | Major in Theatre - Theatre Design and Technology | Major in Musical Theatre, Theatre Emphasis | Major in Theatre - Secondary Teaching Certification | Theatre Minor

Chair: Penelope Hasekoester (936) 294-1330

Faculty: Gregg Buck, Kristina Hanssen, Maureen McIntyre, Thomas Prior

Website: www.shsu.edu/~drm_www/

Theatre reflects the human condition in the study of a wide range of behavior, relationships, periods of history, social configurations and aesthetic styles. Involvement in this collaborative art form finds students growing in theatre skills and techniques, better understanding themselves, solving problems, working within a group and meeting production deadlines.

A theatre major first studies each area of the theatre to gain substantial knowledge of acting, technical theatre, costuming, lighting and scenic design, stage makeup, history, criticism, and directing. From that background, a person can specialize in one of these areas with additional coursework in theatre, and in such fields as music, dance, art, radio and television, or teacher education. Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs are available in musical theatre, acting and directing, design and technical theatre, and secondary education.

Students have the opportunity to act in shows every semester. As they develop expertise in areas of their primary interests, advanced students are chosen to stage manage, to design lights, sets, costumes, sound, makeup, and to direct major productions. Productions are staged in either the large, 396-seat proscenium theatre or the 90-seat thrust theatre. The theatres themselves, as well as the scene and costume shops are equipped with excellent technical equipment. Guest
directors and professional workshops provide students additional contacts with other people in professional theatre. The proximity to Houston also allows students exposure to many venues of professional theatre, opera, dance, film and other forms of entertainment.

Academic Programs

• BFA in Theatre (areas of emphasis may be acting, directing, design, theatre technology, and secondary education
• BFA in Musical Theatre with an area of emphasis in theatre, dance or music

Highlights

The Theatre and Musical Theatre programs at Sam Houston State University:

• are active in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival(KCACTF).
• have been invited to participate at the Regional Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival six times in the last six years.
• were invited to perform The Laramie Project at the National KCACTF Festival in Washington, D.C. in 2003.
• have an apprenticeship program with the Theatre Under the Stars in Houston. Two musical theatre students are selected to participate each year. .
• have an internship program with STAGES Repertory Theatre in Houston.
• have private auditions on the Sam Houston State University campus for SHSU theatre and musical theatre students by the Broadway Theatre Project.
• have guest artists in the areas of acting, directing, playwriting, stage management, and design. These have included Michael York, Edward Albee, Dace Clemmons, Mark Ramont, Robert Marks, Kevin Cooney, Luc LaFortune, Rod Caspers, Andrew Campbell, James McLure, Penny Arcade, James Black, and Judy Dolan.

The program also holds memberships and participates in:

• Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA)
• United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT)
• Texas Nonprofit Theatres (TNT)
• Southwest Theatre Association (SWTA)
• Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the theatre program are well prepared for rewarding careers in professional or educational theatre or for graduate school.

Suggested Minors

There is no minor required for a BFA in Theatre.

Student Organizations

• Alpha Psi Omega - honorary drama fraternity
• United States Institute of Technology

Internships/Apprenticeships

The Sam Houston State University Department of Theatre and Dance has a professional apprenticeship program with Theatre Under The Stars, Houston. This apprenticeship allows Sam Houston State University students to work with the Humphrey’s School of Musical Theatre and to work with Theatre Under The Stars in a performance as well as an arts administration capacity. In addition a new internship has been developed with STAGES Repertory Theatre in Houston.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available through the theatre program for theatre and musical theatre majors. Performance, technical and design auditions are held each spring for freshman and transfer students entering in the fall. Continuing scholarships are available for application toward the end of each semester. Contact the Department or visit the website for further information.

Student assistantships are available for advanced theatre students who work in scenery, properties, costuming, lighting and management.