Theatre Major: Design & Theatre Technology Option (B.A.)

The Theatre Major: Design and Theatre Technology Option at UNH is ideal for those interested in working behind the scenes, blending artistic and technical skills to create theatrical environments for storytelling. Students collaborate with award-winning faculty on personalized study plans, covering set, costume, lighting, puppetry, stage management and more. The program emphasizes collaborative creativity with extensive hands-on production opportunities in all areas of technical theatre. This option can also be paired with a Secondary Theatre Education focus for K-12 teaching.

Designed for students who are interested in the magic behind the scenes, this option in the Theatre degree program will prepare you to apply both artistic and technical elements with design principles to create the world for performing arts. You will work with faculty who are active artists in the profession to develop an individually tailored program of study based on your interests and skills, including set design, costume design, lighting design, puppetry design, scenic painting, stage management, technical direction and costume technology. The Design and Theatre Technology Option emphasizes the importance of collaborative creative processes and offers a wide range of hands-on production opportunities and career choices.

The UNH Department of Theatre and Dance offers various production genres every year, including musicals, plays and dance concerts. As a student in the Design and Theatre Technology program, you will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in all areas of technical theatre and take on design assignments for the departmental productions. You’ll also be able to pursue independent studies and be eligible to apply for R.E.A.C.H., which provides financial assistance to students who participate in internships with professional theatres or dance organizations.

Contact Szu-Feng Chen, Paul Creative Arts Center, (603) 862-4445.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

In the freshman and sophomore years, students should enroll for at least two major and two Discovery courses per semester.

The minimum grade requirement for major courses is C- per course. Any grade lower than C- will not count toward the major.

The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.

Under department policy, students who complete both COMM 401 American Sign Language I and COMM 502 American Sign Language II satisfy the bachelor of arts language proficiency requirement.

All majors must take courses in the following areas: performance, design/theatre technology and theory/history as well as fulfill between four and eight practicums and complete a capstone course.  Although timing will vary with each option, it is strongly suggested that all introductory courses be taken prior to the end of the student's sophomore year. Students must also complete a digital portfolio that demonstrates fulfillment of student learning outcomes related to their area of study.

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Theatre department majors may use one major-required course to satisfy one Discovery Program category requirement.

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The practicum ensures a breadth of experience in the major, including sets, costumes, lighting, props, box office, marketing, and performing.  Students must register for practicum every semester.  They are notified of their practicum assignment at the beginning of each semester.

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

On completion of the B.A. in Theatre, students will:

• Recognize and distinguish between various styles and forms of theatre or dance that have shaped the evolution of these disciplines.
• Effectively communicate artistic ideas and/or critical analysis of theatre or dance works through appropriate oral, written or practical means.
• Demonstrate knowledge and fundamental skill level of the basic areas of theatre or dance production in areas related to performance, design, technology or management.
• Create and demonstrate informed and personal artistic choices in coursework and productions (i.e., design, dance, directing, acting).

On completion of the option in Design and Theatre Technology, students will:

• Exhibit an understanding of the general principles and practices for the design/tech area.
• Apply knowledge of design/tech skills and technologies to the production of theatrical creations.
• Demonstrate skills in script analysis, research, and critical thinking for design development.
• Demonstrate development of a creative process as well as practical problem-solving skills for artistic work.
• Effectively use communication and collaboration skills in writing, speaking, and visual presentation.
• Utilize critical assessment skills to evaluate the work of other students and to show improvement on their own work as a result of the collective feedback process.
• Develop a resume, portfolio, and interview skills that reflect professional standards.