UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2008-09 Peck School of the Arts Theatre

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• Theatre
• Courses: Theatre BA
• Courses: Theatre PTTP
  

Theatre

The various undergraduate theatre curricula lead to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre or the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre. The following courses of study are available.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre is a 130-credit program with intensive specialization in the areas of acting, stage management, costume production, and technical production. Each BFA track accepts a limited number of students each year, who then focus on one area of specialization. Admission is highly selective and competitive. Students enrolled in the Bacheler of Fine Arts curriculum will gain practical experience through participation in workshops, classroom projects, performance activity in the department, and related activity developed in conjunction with other disciplines in the Peck School of the Arts.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre is a 120-credit program which develops in students a knowledge of theatre as a cultural, educational, and humanitarian art form. Students are offered three tracks of study:

Theatre Studies Track. This broadly-based track provides students a foundation of experience and understanding for continued study, further specialization in the performing arts, or entrance into more specialized graduate study.

K-12 Certification in Theatre Track. This track prepares future theatre teachers in grades K-5 and 6-12. After the culmination of fieldwork and practice teaching, students will be recommended for certification by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Theatre in Society Track. Theatre has traditionally been a cultural barometer and reflector of society's concerns and celebrations. This track prepares students to lead cultural, business, legal, educational, service, and community groups in their celebratory and problem-solving endeavors. All three tracks immerse students in the creative, collaborative process inherent in theatrical study and exploration. Fieldwork is required in two tracks: K-12 Certification and Theatre in Society. Students are encouraged to broaden their undergraduate experience by choosing additional courses in the Peck School of the Arts or in other schools throughout the university.

Students also may earn a theatre minor, or a theatre minor with teacher certification.

Admission Requirements. To be admitted in good standing, applicants must meet general University requirements.

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (BFA) IN THEATRE

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre is a 130-credit program with intensive specialization in the areas of Acting, Stage Managment, Costume Production and Technical Production. Each BFA track accepts a limited number of students each year, who then focus in one area of specialization. Admission is highly selective and competitive. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts curriculum will gain practical experience through participation in workshops, classroom projects, performance activity in the department, and related activity developed in conjunction with other disciplines in the Peck School of the Arts.

In the sophomore and junior years, students follow an integrated curriculum, in which all subjects are directly related and in which no course is optional. The senior year offers flexibility to participate in advanced studio work, internships and independent projects.

Acting students will acquire technical proficiency in voice, speech, movement, and theatre styles. The curriculum emphasizes public performance in a wide variety of theatrical styles and genres, with continual studio work on the development of skill leading to artistry.

Costume Production students will acquire proficiency in costume construction, patternmaking, draping, painting and dyeing, tailoring, millinery, and management.

Stage Management students will acquire proficiency in rehearsal and performance techniques, communication skills, technical theatre skills, and the ability to manage a variety of projects with confidence.

Technical Production students will acquire proficiency in drafting, properties production, audio production, stage carpentry, rigging, lighting production, and management.

Appeals process. Any theatre student who is dropped from the program (due to failing review or to grades that do not meet the theatre program requirements) has the right to an appeal. The appeals committee will consist of three full-time tenure track or tenured Theatre faculty, a faculty member of the student's own choosing, and the Chair. In addition, a Peck School of the Arts Student Services advisor will be present as a nonvoting member.

Laptop Requirement. Theatre students in Stage Management and Technical Production areas will be required to have a laptop computer for the integrated curriculum semesters following admittance into the BFA program. Please see Theatre Program Manager for more information.

Degree Requirement. The minimum degree requirement for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre is 130 credits, at least 12 of which will be interdisciplinary from other areas in the arts.

Application Process. Application to the BFA Theatre Program occurs after a student has successfully completed the following course work with a GPA of 3.0 in the major:

Costume production and technical production students are required to complete Theatre 213 (Play Analysis) prior to admittance to the BFA track.

BFA program applicants also must submit the following:

1. A separate application form.

2. A statement of purpose.

3. A current resume (and 8"x10" black & white photo for acting candidates, or portfolio of work for stage management, costume production, and technical production candidates).

4. An in-person interview (and audition for actors).

5. Copies of high school and (for transfer students) college transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for this purpose).

6. Two letters of recommendation.

The Theatre Department will accept students who do not have a theatre background but have a desire and talent to learn.

Prospective students may request application materials or inquire about application deadlines by phone at 414-229-4947, via e-mail at theatreinfo@uwm.edu, or by visiting our website at www.arts.uwm.edu/theatre.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Acting: 61 cr.

Stage Management: 61 cr.

Technical Production: 61 cr.

Costume Production: 61 cr.

BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA) IN THEATRE

Degree Requirements. The minimum degree requirement for the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre is 120 credits, at least 12 of which will be interdisciplinary from other areas in the arts. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts curriculum will gain practical experience through participation in workshops and classroom performance projects developed in conjunction with the course work in the major, and also will be encouraged to engage in off-campus theatrical activities in the greater Milwaukee area. Students accepting an assignment in a departmental workshop or performance workshop will be required to enroll for a minimum of 1 credit in an appropriate practicum or 600-level course.

MAJOR

The minimum degree requirement is 120 credits, at least 12 of which will be interdisciplinary from other areas in the arts. A total of 36 theatre credits are required in the major. Students in all three tracks must complete a theatre core curriculum, as well as additional required theatre courses. Students in all tracks of the Theatre BA program must complete the university core curriculum, the theatre core and additional required theatre curriculum which is individual to each track. Math and English proficiency requirements must be completed prior to enrolling in upper level theatre courses.

The UWM Peck School of the Arts University core curriculum totals 45 credits. The curriculum varies for different tracks in the Theatre BA program.

UNIVERSITY CORE CURRICULUM: THEATRE STUDIES AND THEATRE IN SOCIETY TRACKS, 45 cr.

UNIVERSITY CORE CURRICULUM: K-12 CERTIFICATION IN THEATRE TRACK, 45 cr.

REQUIRED THEATRE CORE: ALL TRACKS, 24 cr.

Additional theatre courses are required in each BA track.

Careers. A variety of careers are available to students who follow the Theatre Studies track, including: advanced study/training/scholarship; actor in professional or community theatre; director or member of production staff (full-time, internship level, apprenticeship level); theatre arts management for a producing organization; social historian.

* These School of Education courses count in the University Core Curriculum.

Careers. Students who wish to teach theatre have a variety of career options. They can teach in public or private elementary or secondary schools; be a public or private home school tutor in a theatre program; be a recreational director for a regional or city fine arts center program, Boys and Girls Club programs, or religious, private, and service institutions; be a program or recreational director for a summer camp; or pursue advanced study and scholarship.

ADMISSION TO TEACHER CERTIFICATION IN THEATRE

Admission Requirements (Sophomore to Junior Year). All students admitted to UWM after July 1987 or students who will graduate from UWM after August 30, 1990 must take the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) required by the Department of Public Instruction of the State of Wisconsin. Students must pass the PPST before applying to the certification program in theatre.

Students entering UWM after July 1, 1988 must have at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average (theatre and general university) to apply for admission to the certification program in theatre. UWM theatre students must have a 2.75 cumulative grade point average (theatre and general university) to be certified and apply for a teaching license after graduation.

Students must have successfully completed communication competency and English/math proficiency and have at least 58 credits (completed or in progress) before applying to the theatre certification program.

Criminal background checks will be required prior to student teaching. Students also must meet the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Act 31 requirement. This can be met by taking the ACT 31 Workshop, History 263, Ethnic Studies 203, or Anthropology 213.

After meeting the above requirements, students submit an official application form to The Peck School of the Arts Student Services Office. Application deadlines are October 15 and March 15. The student then schedules an interview with the Theatre Education faculty. The interview will include:

Students who are not accepted into the certification program at the time of their interview may reapply in the following semester.

Human Relations Requirement. The Human Relations Requirement provides prospective teachers with awareness and understanding of intercultural relations within the educational setting. The requirement is met with course work and classroom experience.

Effective July 1, 1992 and pursuant to ACT 31, a license to teach may not be granted unless the applicant has received instruction in the study of minority group relations, including instruction in the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of American Indian tribes and bands located in this state. Currently, this requirement is met through satisfactory completion of Ethnic 203, or Hist 263, or Anthro 213, or seminar attendance.

Questions regarding this requirement should be directed to the student's academic advisor.

Following admission to the Theatre Education Program (see admission requirements), and successful completion of the specified Theatre Education course of studies, a student seeking recommendation for teacher certification must successfully fulfill the following requirements:

1. Fulfill all degree requirements.

2. Fulfill the Field Experience Requirement.

3. Compile at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA.

4. Pass the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST).

5. Pass the Praxis II Theatre Content Exam.

6. Successfully complete student teaching.

7. Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for a career in the field of theatre education through the use of a teaching portfolio (see explanation below).

Teaching Portfolio

The Theatre Education Area and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction require that students compile a teaching portfolio that demonstrates teaching proficiency in their area of expertise. Students are responsible for developing a professional portfolio that is developmental in nature and is evaluated at the beginning, middle, and end of their program. The portfolio will be compiled as a part of their major theatre education methods and field experience requirements. Evidence of teaching proficiency must include:

1. Record of PPST passing scores.

2. Transcript demonstrating 2.75 GPA.

3. Copy of current resume.

4. Lesson plans written and taught in early field experiences and student teaching.

5. Examples of student work in video and/or photo formats.

6. Statement of teaching and learning philosophy.

7. Written evaluations from cooperating teachers, university supervising teachers, and methods class instructors.

8. Self-evaluations and/or teaching journal based upon early field experience teaching and student teaching experiences.

9. Computer mediated and/or generated projects.

Careers. Career options for students in the Theatre in Society Track include activity director for cultural groups; social director for a retirement home; social historian for a civic group; activity facilitator for a social club; arts consultant to schools; activity director for correctional institution; consultant to businesses, government agencies, legal organizations, unions, activist groups, or universities on conflict management, human resources, training and diversity, group communication, leadership, advocacy, public speaking, and problem solving; and advanced study and scholarship.

MINOR

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Theatre has been designed to allow students maximum flexibility in shaping their course of study to prepare them for a variety of careers. Students may wish to consider adding a minor in a related field such as the General Business Minor offered by the School of Business Administration or the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management certificate program. To earn a theatre minor while pursuing another degree at UWM, students must complete the following theatre courses.

Minor in Theatre with Teaching Certification

The Department of Theatre offers a teaching minor leading to certification in Theatre. This program is open only to students pursuing, and accepted into, a teaching major in an appropriately related field (e.g. English). Admission requirements for a minor are the same as those of a major (see K-12 Certification in Theatre admission requirements).

Students accepted into the program will be expected to take and pass the Praxis II Theatre Test prior to, and as prerequisite for, their student teaching (Theatre 485 & Theatre 486).

Courses

Web Home Pages:
[ Peck School of the Arts ]

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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Undergraduate Catalog 2008-09:
Theatre
[ Peck School of the Arts ]
[ Schools and Colleges ]
[ Contents | How to Use This Book | Calendar | Index ]
[ Admission | Registration | Financial Information | Academic Information ]
[ Administration | About UWM | Academic Opportunities | Campus Resources ]

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