Theatre Arts
Students receive individualized, focused training from professional faculty to prepare for lifelong careers in diverse areas of the entertainment industry.
Theatre Arts Program Overview
Do you want to build your skills as a theatre artist? Do you want to turn your passion into a profession?
Study in the concentration that’s right for you. Our program is designed to give you the skills you need to build a career in the theatre arts. Explore the concentrations below.
Acting: The acting concentration is built to prepare students for work both onstage and on camera. Students receive rigorous acting training with industry-veteran faculty and guest artists and then test their skills in our robust production season.
Educational Theatre: The educational theatre concentration includes academics, studio training, performance opportunities, and internship placement in regional public schools. Students study acting, technical theatre, stage movement, directing, playwriting for youth, and voice and articulation while developing the teaching skills necessary to train the next generation of theatre artists.
Entertainment Design and Production: When studying entertainment design and production, students work in fully equipped shops and studios. Focus areas include scenic design, scenic painting, properties, scenic construction, costume design, costume construction, and lighting design and electrics. Students engage in professional-quality production work supporting mainstage and studio productions in the state-of-the-art McGinnis Theatre and the flexible Burnette Studio Theatre.
Musical Theatre: The musical theatre concentration prepares students for careers on the musical stage. Students build professional-level skills in acting, voice and dance, and they put those skills to practice in a wide variety of musical, nonmusical and dance productions.
Stage Management: Stage management trains students to play a leadership role in the coordination of the performance and production elements of theatre and dance events. The concentration accommodates majors who also wish to pursue a secondary interest in acting, design and production, or dance.
Theatre for Young Audiences: In this concentration, students gain comprehensive academic and studio training in the development and production of theatre for young audiences. Students work with ECU Storybook Theatre to stage productions that perform both on the ECU campus and at touring venues.
ECU Advantage
ECU has a history of training students who work at the highest levels in the entertainment industry. Sandra Bullock, the Oscar and Golden Globe Award-winning actor, studied at ECU. Before Howell Binkley won Tony and Olivier Awards for lighting Broadway shows including Hamilton and Jersey Boys, he was refining his skills in ECU’s McGinnis Theatre. Kevin Williamson (Dawson’s Creek and Scream) started his career at ECU. Our Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in theatre arts allows you to study in a program that produces national- and international-level talent.
What You Will Study
Program Coordinators by Concentrations:
- Acting Concentration: Bryan Conger (208 Messick Building; 252-737-5027; congerb17@ecu.edu)
- Educational Theatre Concentration: Lisanne Shaffer-Dickerson (101 Messick Building; 328-1196; shafferl22@ecu.edu)
- Entertainment Design and Production Concentration: Delta Childers-Smith (Costume Shop; 252-328-4071; smithdelt15@ecu.edu)
- Musical Theatre Concentration: Jessica Doyke-Mekkes (214 Messick Building; 252-737-2441; doylemekkes17@ecu.edu)
- Stage Management Concentration: Courtney Rasor (109 Messick Building; 252-328-2905)
- Theatre for Young Audiences Concentration: Lisanne Shaffer-Dickerson (101 Messick Building; 328-1196; shafferl22@ecu.edu)
Admission to the acting, educational theatre, musical theatre, and theatre for young audiences concentrations are by adjudication. Please refer to the School of Theatre and Dance website for details.
Theatre arts majors must attain a minimum grade of C- in all required theatre courses. All theatre (THEA) courses are restricted to declared theatre arts majors. Enrollment by other majors requires permission of instructor.
The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:
Core Requirements:
1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.
(For information about courses that carry general education credit see General Education Program.)
a. Acting concentration:
- THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
- THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
- THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
b. Educational theatre concentration:
- PSYC 2777 - Ethnocultural Psychology OR
- SOCI 1010 - Race, Gender, Class
- THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
- THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
- THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
c. Entertainment design and production concentration:
- THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
- THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
- THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
d. Musical theatre concentration:
- THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
- THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
- THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
e. Stage management concentration:
- THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
- THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
- THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
f. Theatre for young audiences concentration:
- THEA 1010 - Introduction to Acting I
- THEA 2001 - Theatre Technology
- THEA 2002 - Theatre Design
2. Core - 8 s.h.
- THEA 2011 - Theatre Technology Lab
- THEA 2012 - Theatre Design Lab
- THEA 2035 - Theatre History-Literature I
- THEA 2075 - Script Analysis
3. Concentrations - 64-72 s.h.
(Choose one.)
a. Acting concentration - 68 s.h.
Admission to the acting concentration is by adjudication; refer to the School of Theatre and Dance website for details.
Theatre theory and practice (50 s.h.)
- THEA 1020 - Introduction to Acting II
- THEA 2006 - The Art of Make-up
- THEA 2010 - Acting Studio I
- THEA 2015 - Introduction to Voice and Speech
- THEA 2017 - Movement for Actors
- THEA 2018 - Stage Combat: Unarmed
- THEA 2020 - Acting Studio II
- THEA 3010 - Acting Studio III
- THEA 3018 - Movement for Actors II: Physical Characterization
- THEA 3020 - Acting Studio IV
- THEA 3025 - Voice and Speech for the Actor
- THEA 3035 - Theatre History-Literature II OR
- THEA 3055 - Global History of Music in Theatre
- THEA 4010 - Period and Style Acting
- THEA 4025 - Television and Film Practicum for the Actor I
- THEA 4031 - Dialects for the Actor
- THEA 4040 - Directing I
- THEA 4070 - Professional Preparation and Audition Technique for Actors
Theatre and dance electives (12 s.h.)
Choose 12 s.h. of THEA or DNCE courses.
Production practicum (6 s. h.)
The following course must be taken twice:
- THEA 3000 - Theatre Performance
b. Educational theatre concentration - 72 s.h.
Admission to the educational theatre concentration is by adjudication; refer to the School of Theatre and Dance website for details.
Theatre theory and practice (39 s.h.)
- THEA 1020 - Introduction to Acting II
- THEA 2010 - Acting Studio I OR
- THEA 3050 - Advanced Acting I
- THEA 2015 - Introduction to Voice and Speech
- THEA 2020 - Acting Studio II OR
- THEA 3060 - Advanced Acting II
- THEA 2030 - Drama in Education
- THEA 3030 - Theatre for Young Audiences
- THEA 3035 - Theatre History-Literature II OR
- THEA 3055 - Global History of Music in Theatre
- THEA 3041 - Curriculum Planning for Theatre Arts
- THEA 3300 - Playwriting and Dramatic Literature for Young Audiences
- THEA 3604 - Theatre for Social Change
- THEA 4040 - Directing I
- THEA 4064 - Stage Management Lab
- THEA 4065 - Stage Management I
- THEA 4066 - Theatre Management
Professional courses (27 s. h.)
- EDTC 4001 - Technology in Education
- EDUC 3200 - Foundations of American Education
- EDUC 4400 - Foundations of School Learning, Motivation, and Assessment OR
- PSYC 4305 - Educational Psychology
- READ 3990 - Teaching Reading in the Content Areas in the Secondary School
- SPED 4010 - Effective Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms
- THEA 2123 - Early Experiences for the Prospective Teacher
- THEA 4323 - The Teaching of Theatre Arts in Grades K-12
- THEA 4324 - Internship in Theatre Education
- THEA 4325 - Internship Seminar: Issues in Theatre Education
Dance or movement (3 s. h.)
Choose 3 s. h. from the following:
- DNCE 1001 - Fundamentals of Ballet
- DNCE 1014 - Tap I
- DNCE 1114 - Beginning Ballet I
- DNCE 1116 - Beginning Jazz I
- DNCE 1124 - Beginning Ballet II
- DNCE 1126 - Beginning Jazz II
- DNCE 2024 - Tap II
- THEA 2017 - Movement for Actors
Production practicum (3 s. h.)
- THEA 3000 - Theatre Performance
c. Entertainment design and production concentration - 64 s.h.
Annual portfolio review is required to maintain enrollment in the theatre design and production concentration.
Theatre theory and practice (45 s.h.)
- THEA 2003 - Scene Painting
- THEA 2006 - The Art of Make-up
- THEA 2009 - Decor and Ornament for the Stage
- THEA 2099 - Career Preparation
- THEA 3002 - Advanced Theatrical Drafting
- THEA 3003 - Stage Lighting I
- THEA 3004 - Scenery Design I
- THEA 3005 - Scenery Design II
- THEA 3006 - Sound Design for the Stage
- THEA 3007 - Costume Design I
- THEA 3008 - Costume Design II
- THEA 3011 - Creative Collaboration
- THEA 3035 - Theatre History-Literature II
- THEA 4003 - Stage Lighting II
- THEA 4064 - Stage Management Lab
- THEA 4065 - Stage Management I
- THEA 4099 - Design and Production Portfolio
Theatre and dance electives (3 s.h.)
Choose 3 s.h. of THEA and DNCE courses.
Production practicum (16 s.h.)
- Take each of the following courses twice:
- THEA 1111 - Apprentice Level Production
- THEA 2222 - Intern Level Production
- THEA 3333 - Journeyman Level Production
- Take the following course once:
- THEA 4444 - Master Level Production
d. Musical theatre concentration - 66 s.h.
Admission to the musical theatre concentration is by adjudication; refer to the School of Theatre and Dance website for details.
Dance (17 s.h.)
Students must complete a minimum of two courses in tap, two courses in ballet, and three courses in jazz.
Theatre theory and practice (43 s.h.)
- THEA 1020 - Introduction to Acting II
- THEA 1027 - Musical Theatre Fundamentals I
- THEA 1037 - Musical Theatre Fundamentals II
- THEA 1061 - Musical Theatre Private Voice (Repeat for a total of 4 s.h.)
- THEA 1108 - Introduction to Musical Theatre Voice I
- THEA 1118 - Introduction to Musical Theatre Voice II
- THEA 2006 - The Art of Make-up
- THEA 2010 - Acting Studio I OR
- THEA 3050 - Advanced Acting I
- THEA 2015 - Introduction to Voice and Speech
- THEA 2020 - Acting Studio II OR
- THEA 3060 - Advanced Acting II
- THEA 3025 - Voice and Speech for the Actor
- THEA 3055 - Global History of Music in Theatre
- THEA 3090 - Musical Theatre Performance Techniques I
- THEA 3095 - Musical Theatre Performance Techniques II
- THEA 4031 - Dialects for the Actor
- THEA 4090 - Musical Theatre Performance Technique III
- THEA 4095 - Musical Theatre Performance Technique IV
Production practicum (6 s. h.)
Take the following course twice:
e. Stage management concentration - 69 s.h.
Annual portfolio review is required to maintain enrollment in the stage management concentration.
Dance (2 s.h.)
Choose 2 s.h. of ballet, tap, jazz, or contemporary techniques.
Theatre theory and practice (48 s.h.)
- THEA 2004 - Introduction to Theatrical Properties
- THEA 2006 - The Art of Make-up
- THEA 2099 - Career Preparation
- THEA 2235 - Global Theatre
- THEA 3001 - Stage Management Seminar Repeat for 3 s.h.
- THEA 3003 - Stage Lighting I
- THEA 3004 - Scenery Design I
- THEA 3006 - Sound Design for the Stage
- THEA 3007 - Costume Design I
- THEA 3011 - Creative Collaboration
- THEA 3035 - Theatre History-Literature II
- THEA 4040 - Directing I
- THEA 4064 - Stage Management Lab
- THEA 4065 - Stage Management I
- THEA 4066 - Theatre Management
- THEA 4099 - Design and Production Portfolio
- THEA 4165 - Stage Management II
- THEA 4265 - Stage Management III
Theatre dance electives (6 s.h.)
Choose 6 s.h. of THEA or DNCE courses.
Production practicum (13 s.h.)
- Take the following courses twice:
- THEA 1111 - Apprentice Level Production
- THEA 2222 - Intern Level Production
- Take the following courses once:
- THEA 3333 - Journeyman Level Production
- THEA 4444 - Master Level Production
f. Theatre for young audiences concentration - 65 s.h.
Admission to the theatre for young audiences concentration is by adjudication; refer to the School of Theatre and Dance website for details.
Theatre theory and practice (56 s.h.)
- THEA 1020 - Introduction to Acting II
- THEA 2006 - The Art of Make-up
- THEA 2010 - Acting Studio I OR
- THEA 3050 - Advanced Acting I
- THEA 2015 - Introduction to Voice and Speech
- THEA 2020 - Acting Studio II OR
- THEA 3060 - Advanced Acting II
- THEA 2030 - Drama in Education
- THEA 3030 - Theatre for Young Audiences
- THEA 3035 - Theatre History-Literature II OR
- THEA 3055 - Global History of Music in Theatre
- THEA 3042 - Teaching Artistry
- THEA 3300 - Playwriting and Dramatic Literature for Young Audiences
- THEA 3604 - Theatre for Social Change
- THEA 4040 - Directing I
- THEA 4064 - Stage Management Lab
- THEA 4065 - Stage Management I
- THEA 4066 - Theatre Management
- THEA 4140 - Internship in Production and Performance in Theatre for Youth I
- Choose 12 s.h. from the following:
- THEA 2003 - Scene Painting
- THEA 2004 - Introduction to Theatrical Properties
- THEA 2018 - Stage Combat: Unarmed
- THEA 2235 - Global Theatre
- THEA 3003 - Stage Lighting I
- THEA 3004 - Scenery Design I
- THEA 3005 - Scenery Design II
- THEA 3007 - Costume Design I
- THEA 3010 - Acting Studio III
- THEA 3018 - Movement for Actors II: Physical Characterization
- THEA 3019 - Stage Combat: Rapier and Dagger
- THEA 3020 - Acting Studio IV
- THEA 3603 - Selected Topics in Theatre
- THEA 3618 - Theatre Study Abroad
- THEA 4018 - Stage Combat: Broadsword and Quarterstaff
- THEA 4041 - Directing II
Dance or movement (6 s.h.)
Choose 6 s.h. from the following:
- DNCE 1001 - Fundamentals of Ballet
- DNCE 1014 - Tap I
- DNCE 1114 - Beginning Ballet I
- DNCE 1116 - Beginning Jazz I
- DNCE 1124 - Beginning Ballet II
- DNCE 1126 - Beginning Jazz II
- DNCE 2024 - Tap II
- THEA 2017 - Movement for Actors
Production practicum (3 s. h.)
- THEA 3000 - Theatre Performance
4. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
Licensure/Certification Requirements in North Carolina
The curriculum for all ECU Certificates, Degrees, and Minors have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Other states have their own requirements, and you'll want to make sure your program meets criteria in your home state (or state where you intend to work) before you apply.
For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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