THEATRE AND DANCE
College of Arts and Letters

BACHELOR OF ARTS
MINOR
SUBJECT MATTER PROGRAM
MASTER OF ARTS
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
FACULTY
CONTACT
COMPLETE COURSE LISTING - THEATRE
COMPLETE COURSE LISTING - DANCE
 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The California State University, Sacramento Department of Theatre and Dance provides a broad and deep foundation of the theory, history, literature and practice of theatre and dance to students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies or join the profession. We offer an imaginative and creative program that provides the student opportunities to grow and develop through studio and production work. Our goal is to challenge students to be independent thinkers and make collaborative artistic efforts that reflect a richly complex and diverse global perspective, complimented by national and international faculty and staff experience.

Theatre

Majors in the Theatre program receive in-depth training in acting, voice, movement, audition technique, design, history, literature, criticism and film studies.

Special Features

• An extension of our academic offerings  is our excellent program of performance opportunities. Each year we offer four to six major productions and a varied selection of minor productions including student-directed one-acts, master's thesis performances, recruitment shows, and productions in puppetry.  Students are also offered production assignments as stage managers, costumers, designer and stagecraft technicians, all of which enhance the range of theatrical knowledge and experience.
• Included are African American and Chicano/Latino Theatre productions that make this program unique in the State University System.
• In addition to the performance and technical components, Sacramento State’s Theatre Department provides organizations that encompass social, academic and professional opportunities, both on campus and in the community.
  

Dance

Majors in the Dance program receive in-depth training in dance technique, performance, production, choreography, theory, dance history and dance education.

Offering a comprehensive program of study, dance starts with the basic principles of dance technique and refines them through the choreographic and theoretic processes, culminating in the creation of full-scale concert productions. Students in the program are involved at every level of the creative process.

• Dance majors have the opportunity to perform as members of several dance organizations. Company members participate in all aspects of producing and presenting dance, from creating and performing the choreography to designing and implementing the production and promotional aspects of the concerts. Company programs are produced at the campus state-of-the-art dance performance studio.
• Dance majors are given the opportunity to work with professional dance companies on the campus. Each year, at least one regional professional company is in residence at the campus and the program invites nationally acclaimed guest artists to provide workshops for the majors.
  

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Units required for Major: 49
Minimum total units required for the BA: 120
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

A. Required Lower Division Courses (17 units)
(3)	THEA 2	History of the Theatre: Ancient to Renaissance
(3)	THEA 3	Theatre History After 1660
(3)	THEA 4	Script Analysis
(3)	THEA 11	Acting Study I (Theatre/Dance majors with THEA 9)
(3)	THEA 16	Technical Production I - Stagecraft
(2)	THEA 20	Technical Production II - Lighting
B. Required Upper Division Courses (20 units)
(3)	THEA 101	Acting Study II (THEA 11 or instructor permission) OR
	THEA 124	Advanced Design (THEA 16, THEA 20, and THEA 123, or instructor permission. Corequisite: THEA 135)
(3)	THEA 107	Directing (THEA 2, THEA 3, THEA 4, THEA 11, THEA 16, THEA 20, instructor permission)
(3)	THEA 120	Practicum in Technical Production (1 unit x 3)
(2)	THEA 121	Rehearsal and Performance (1 unit x 2)
(3)	THEA 123	Design for Theatre (THEA 16, THEA 20 or instructor permission)
(6) Select two of the following courses fulfilling the "Ethnic Theatre" requirement:
	THEA 144/WOMS 144	Women and Theatre: Staging Diversity
	THEA 170	African-American Theatre and Culture
	THEA 172	Chicano/Latino Theatre: Drama, Art and Life 1900 to 1975
	THEA 174	Multicultural Perspectives in American Theatre

C. Electives/Advising Sequences (12 units)

The Theatre major requires twelve additional upper division units selected from any combination of the following areas. Electives MUST be determined in consultation with a faculty advisor. Prerequisites and corequisites noted in the course catalog.

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE - DANCE

Units required for the Major: 52
Minimum total units required for BA: 120
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

A. Required Lower Division Courses (15 units)
(2)	DNCE 11	Intermediate Jazz (DNCE 1 or instructor permission)
(2)	DNCE 13	Intermediate Ballet (Instructor permission)
(3)	THEA 9	Appreciation of Acting
(3)	THEA 11	Acting Study I (Theatre/Dance majors with THEA 9)
(2) Select one of the following:
	DNCE 12	Intermediate Modern Dance (Instructor permisison) OR
	DNCE 14	Intermediate Tap (DNCE 4 or instructor permission)
(3) Select one of the following:
	DNCE 40	Dance Production OR
	THEA 16	Technical Production I - Stagecraft
B. Required Upper Division Courses (37 units)
(2)	DNCE 111	Advanced Jazz (Instructor permission)
(2)	DNCE 112	Advanced Modern Dance (Instructor permission)
(2)	DNCE 120	Principles of Choreography (DNCE majors only and instructor permission)
(2)	DNCE 121	Dance Improvisation (DNCE 120)
(2)	DNCE 122	Choreographic Form and Styles (DNCE 120, DNCE 121)
(3)	DNCE 130	Appreciation and History of Dance
(3)	DNCE 131	Dance Cultures of America
(3)	DNCE 132	African-Caribbean Dance
(1)	DNCE 142	Dance Performance Skills
(2)	DNCE 143	Performance Practicum (1 unit class, must be taken two times)
(3)	DNCE 150	Dance Theory (DNCE 122, DNCE 130, DNCE 131, instructor permission)
(3)	DNCE 151	Dance Criticism (DNCE 130 or DNCE 131)
(2)	DNCE 160	Creative Dance for Children
(3)	KINS 151C	Dance Kinesiology (BIO 22 or equivalent)
(1)	THEA 120	Practicum in Technical Production
(3) Select one of the following:
	THEA 114A	Voice and Movement I (THEA 11) OR
	THEA 118	Children's Theatre

REQUIREMENTS - MINOR - THEATRE

Units required for Minor: 18
The minor requires that all courses be taken in Theatre, 9 units of which must be upper division.
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

Specific course requirements are:

(3)	THEA 2	History of the Theatre: Ancient to Renaissance OR
	THEA 3	Theatre History After 1660
(3)	THEA 11	Acting Study I (Theatre/Dance majors with THEA 9) OR
	THEA 16	Technical Production I - Stagecraft AND
	THEA 120	Practicum in Technical Production
(7-9)	Upper division courses taken from section C, Elective/Advising above. (Advisor approval required.)

REQUIREMENTS - MINOR - MUSICAL THEATRE

Units required for Minor: 19
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

The minor specifically requires the following courses:

(3)	THEA 11	Acting Study I (Theatre/Dance majors with THEA 9) OR
	THEA 109	Musical Theatre (MUSC 25, THEA 9, or THEA 11, DNCE 1, DNCE 2, DNCE 3, DNCE 4, DNCE 5, DNCE 6 or instructor permission/audition)
(3)	THEA 111*	Audition Technique (THEA 101, THEA 114A, THEA 114B, and/or by instructor permissionr)
(1)	THEA 112*	Musical Theatre Workshop (THEA 109 or instructor permission and/or audition)
(1)	THEA 121**	Rehearsal and Performance
*	Must be taken concurrently.
**	Credit MUST be from participation in the "Outreach Show" AND
(2)	DNCE 1	Beginning Jazz
(2)	DNCE 3	Beginning Ballet
(2)	DNCE 4	Beginning Tap
(2)	DNCE 6	Popular Jazz Styles (DNCE 1 and/or instructor permission) OR
	DNCE 11	Intermediate Jazz (DNCE 1 or instructor permission)

REQUIREMENTS - MINOR - DANCE

Units required for Minor: 18
The minor requires that all courses be taken in Dance, 9 units of which must be upper division.
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

Specific course requirements are:

Technique (6 units)
Select one of the following:
(2)	DNCE 1	Beginning Jazz
(2)	DNCE 2	Beginning Modern Dance
(2)	DNCE 3	Beginning Ballet
(2)	DNCE 4	Beginning Tap
(2)	DNCE 6	Popular Jazz Styles (DNCE 1 and/or instructor permission)
Select two of the following:
(2)	DNCE 11	Intermediate Jazz (DNCE 1 or instructor permisison)
(2)	DNCE 12	Intermediate Modern Dance (Instructor permisison)
(2)	DNCE 13	Intermediate Ballet (Instructor permission)
(2)	DNCE 14	Intermediate Tap (DNCE 4 or instructor permission)
(2)	DNCE 111	Advanced Jazz (Instructor permission)
(2)	DNCE 112	Advanced Modern Dance (Instructor permission)
Choreography (2 units)
(2)	DNCE 120	Principles of Choreography (Dance majors only and instructor permission)
Production (2 units)
(3)	DNCE 40	Dance Production
History/Cultural Studies (3-6 units)
(3)	DNCE 130	Appreciation and History of Dance
(3)	DNCE 131	Dance Cultures of America
Electives (1-5 units)
Select from the following:
(2)	DNCE 5	Mexican Folklorico Dance
(2)	DNCE 121	Dance Improvisation (DNCE 120)
(2)	DNCE 122	Choreographic Forms and Styles (DNCE 120, DNCE 121)
(3)	DNCE 132	African-Caribbean Dance
(1)	DNCE 142	Dance Performance Skills
(1)	DNCE 143	Performance Practicum
(3)	DNCE 151	Dance Criticism (DNCE 130 or DNCE 131)
(2)	DNCE 160	Creative Dance for Children

REQUIREMENTS - SUBJECT MATTER PROGRAM -
ENGLISH / THEATRE (PRE-CREDENTIAL PREPARATION)

Students may also pursue a secondary teaching credential in English/Theatre. The requirements represent a 57-unit waiver program in the two departments. The courses outlined below must be completed with a "B" average:

A graduate program leading to the Master of Arts degree is available with a variety of courses offered to cover the particular needs of each graduate student in the field of theatre. Through close collaboration with an advisor, graduate students can focus their studies in dramatic literature, directing, playwriting, and multicultural theatre. Opportunities for graduate students to work on productions as scenic, costume, or lighting designers, stage managers, or assistant directors will be made available. Graduate students also have the opportunity to gain experience as teachers' aides in subjects of emphasis. Degree candidates may decide on a research thesis for the culmination of the Master of Arts degree or may choose a creative project in the areas of directing or playwriting as a culminating experience.

Admission as a classified graduate student in Theatre requires:

• an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a minimum 3.0 GPA;
• three letters of reference, to be sent to the Program Coordinator by the application deadline; and
• an example of written work which the applicant considers evidence of his/her best scholarship.

Persons interested in applying should first contact the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 206, (916) 278-6470 for information and application materials. Applications are accepted as long as room for new students exists, but students applying for fall are urged to complete their application by May 1 and for spring by November 1 in order to be included before registrations begins. All students must complete an online application for admission. International visa students must submit the appropriate international student application form which is available at the Office of Global Education, Lassen Hall 2304, (916) 278-6686.

In addition, the applicant must file with the Theatre and Dance Department Office a letter of intent to pursue the Master of Arts degree; the letter should include statements regarding career goals and motivation for pursuing a career in the performing arts. The applicant will also see that the department receives the three required letters of recommendation and the required example of the applicant's written work.

Approximately six weeks after receipt of all items listed above, a decision regarding admission will be mailed.

After admission, the student will complete the departmental diagnostic examination, which is an encompassing review of undergraduate experience in theatre. In consultation with the graduate committee, the student will formulate a program including any additional classes that have been indicated as necessary to complete a basic background knowledge of theatre.

Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the student has:

• removed any deficiencies in admission requirements or incomplete grades;
• completed all background courses as indicated by the graduate committee in the interview following completion of the diagnostic examination;
• completed at least 12 units of 200-level courses with a 3.0 grade point average, including THEA 200, which must be passed with a grade of "B" or better;
• passed the written and oral comprehensive examination;
• filed an approved thesis or project topic with the Department; and
• passed the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) or secured approval for a WPE waiver.

Written comprehensive exams will be given during the seventh and eighth weeks of each semester. Students must apply to the Graduate Coordinator prior to the beginning of the semester in which they intend to take the written examination.

Advancement to Candidacy forms are available in the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 206, (916) 278-6470. The student fills out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with the Theatre and Dance Graduate Coordinator. The completed form is then returned to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.

Units required for the MA: 30, including at least 18 units of 200-level courses
Minimum required GPA: 3.0

Note: A grade of "B" or better is required for THEA 200, THEA 201, THEA 204, and THEA 209; a "B" average (3.0) or better is required for the entire graduate program.

Upon completion of program contract and thesis (as determined by the thesis committee), a certification of completion of requirements for the Master of Arts degree will be issued. A copy of the master's thesis or project must be filed in the Theatre and Dance Department Office.

With advisor's consent, the student may include from 3-6 upper division units from any one of the following supporting fields: Art, English, Ethnic Studies, History, Humanities and Religious Studies, Music, Philosophy, and Psychology.

Actor · Choreographer · Dancer · Director · Scenographer · Lighting Designer · Scenic Designer · Costume Designer · Makeup Artist · Playwright · Puppeteer · Theatre Manager · Critic · Announcer/Narrator · Publicity Specialist · Sound/Light Technician · Recreation Specialist · Public Affairs Director · Scenic Artist · Propmaster · Teacher (all levels) · Film Art Director · Stage Manager

COMPLETE COURSE LISTING - THEATRE
COMPLETE COURSE LISTING - DANCE
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