Transfer Articulation: Theatre
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 an introduction to acting, technical theatre, costume, lights or 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 or teacher education. Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs are available in musical theatre, acting and directing, design and technical theatre, secondary education, and theatre studies.
Students have the opportunity to audition for roles in department productions every semester. As they develop expertise in areas of their primary interests, advanced students are chosen to design lights, sets, costumes, sound, makeup, stage manage and to direct major productions. Productions are staged in either the large, 396-seat proscenium theatre or the 90-seat thrust theatre. The theatre spaces, as well as the scene and costume shops, are equipped with state of the art equipment. Guest directors and professional workshops provide students additional contacts with other people in professional theatre. The proximity to Houston allows students exposure to professional theatre, opera, dance, film, and other forms of cultural entertainment.
Department Contact: Thomas Prior
Phone: (936) 294-1328
Location: UTC Room 111
All theatre majors are required to register for THEA 1115, THEA 1116, or THEA 1117 (crew classes) for 2-3 semesters. Musical theatre majors are required to register for 2 semester credit hours of production crew. These semester credit hours do not reduce the requirements for 3-hour courses necessary for the major.
It is suggested that a student wishing to transfer to the Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre consults the current University Catalog to determine which courses fulfill the requirements specific to that emphasis. For the BFA in Theatre, all of the areas of emphasis require THEA 1115, THEA 1116, THEA 1117; two of the introduction to technology courses: THEA 1330, THEA 1331 and THEA 1332; THEA 1364; and THEA 2367. THEA 1366 will fulfill the arts requirement in the University core. If the student is pursuing a degree in acting/directing, secondary education, or theatre studies, THEA 2330 and THEA 2368 are also required courses. Theatre Studies and Acting/Directing also require THEA 2360. Acting/Directing also requires THEA 2336 and THEA 2367. Design/Technology requires all three of the introduction to technology courses listed. All of the theatre emphasis areas have 6 hours of non-specified theatre electives which means 6 hours of 1000- or 2000-level courses can be counted towards the student's degree.
Courses Transfer Students Should Take:*
| SHSU Course Number | College/TCCN | SHSU Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| THEA 1115 | DRAM 1120 | Tech Build Crew | 1 |
| THEA 1116 | DRAM 1120 | Costume Crew | 1 |
| THEA 1117 | DRAM 1120 | Management Crew | 1 |
| THEA 1330 | DRAM 1330 | Intro to Scenic Technology | 3 |
| THEA 1331 | DRAM 2331 | Intro to Lighting Technology | 3 |
| THEA 1332 | DRAM 1342 | Intro to Costume Technology | 3 |
| THEA 1364 | DRAM 1351 | Beginning Acting | 3 |
| THEA 2330 | DRAM 1341 | Stage Make Up | 3 |
| THEA 2336 | DRAM 2336 | Voice I for the Actor | 3 |
| THEA 2360 | DRAM 2335 | Beginning Design | 3 |
| THEA 2367 | DRAM 2355 | Play Analysis | 3 |
| THEA 2368 | DRAM 1352 | Intermediate Acting | 3 |
| THEA 1366 | DRAM 1310 | Theatre Appreciation | 3 |
*Note: Other courses may transfer, depending upon the selected degree or program. Meet with your academic advisor to confirm whether coursework will transfer from another institution. For a complete listing of degree-specific requirements, please review the degree plan within the Undergraduate Catalog.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Musical Theatre With Dance Emphasis
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Musical Theatre With Theatre Emphasis
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Theatre—Acting and Directing Emphasis
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Theatre—Design and Technology Emphasis
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Theatre—Theatre Studies Emphasis
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Theatre with Teaching Certification
- Minor in Theatre
Field of Study
Sam Houston State University supports the State of Texas Fields of Study.
The Core Curriculum at Sam Houston State University (to be used by all incoming students as of fall 2014) contains 42 semester credit hours, encompassing nine component areas. Each component area has a minimum credit hour requirement and a selection of specific courses that may be used to satisfy the requirement. The Core Curriculum details Sam Houston State University courses and their Texas Common Course Number (TCCN) equivalents for college transfer students which comprise SHSU’s core curriculum.
Many SHSU disciplines including the sciences, business, and education require specific courses from the SHSU core as degree specific graduation requirements. To minimize cost and time to complete degree requirements always select SHSU/transfer core courses specified as degree requirements in your intended major. If you have not decided on a major, select core courses supporting your intended area of academic concentration.
Prior to enrolling in core classes, students are encouraged to review specific degree requirements for their major. Selection of major-specified core courses reduces the total number of hours required for graduation.
If you do not see a Texas Common Course Number (TCCN) mapping a specific core course to your transfer institution, please go to Transfer Course Equivalency Guide and select your institution from the drop-down menu. The result will list all currently mapped transfer courses from your institution to SHSU courses.
