Theater Arts Major

Theater Arts Overview

Theater Arts Overview

At the core of the theater program is the strong belief that a liberal-arts education is inherently inseparable to the artist’s process. This relationship provides a cornerstone for the practice and study of theater, as theater by its very nature is a multi-disciplinary art form. The theater program is designed to attain a balance between a strong liberal-arts education and intensive study in the student’s chosen area of focus, and to meet the needs of the major who may eventually wish to pursue a professional career in theater, as well as the nonmajor, who may simply want to gain a greater understanding of the play or the performance process.

The program places a strong emphasis on performance and practice as a teaching tool for students at many different levels of work. Each semester, the program presents professionally directed productions of classic and contemporary theater as one of our Theatre Practicums. Theater productions are open to all Clark students, regardless of major/minor. Each practicum requires an audition to join the acting aspect or an application to join the tech/design aspect. There are also opportunities to act and direct in student club productions with Clark University Players Society and Clark Musical Theatre.

The theater-arts major is designed to offer an interdisciplinary framework that serves as foundation for the student to enter their primary area of expertise. Once the basic course requirements have been fulfilled, there is a great deal of flexibility in developing a program well suited to the individual needs and interests of the student. The faculty takes a proactive role in the design of this program, preparing the student to enter their chosen field or next level of study.

For more information, please visit the Theater Arts Department’s website.

Major Requirements

The major consists of 12 courses: three core courses, three iterations of a Theatre Practicum, two history courses, three specialty courses (focusing on the student’s area of expertise and interest), and the V&PA Capstone. The three core courses, three Theatre practicum completions, and 2 theatre history courses are required of all majors. Majors may specialize in acting and directing, technical theater and design, or playwriting, as well student-initiated areas of study and focus. Related Visual & Performing Arts courses are to be chosen in consultation with an adviser.

Capstone

Each Theatre Major must complete VAPA 290 - V&PA Capstone   . This course is a dept wide course for all seniors in V&PA to take in their final fall semester. It consists of group and solo projects that are devised and developed in consultation with the dept faculty and the student’s advisor. The solo project can take many forms depending on the student’s area of study.  For example, for students focusing on technical theatre, it may be a set or sound design of a mainstage production, and for playwrights, it may be the development of a full-length play. In the spring of their junior year, students should begin planning the details of the capstone course with their faculty advisor. 

Honors

Students with distinguished academic records who wish to take honors in theater arts should consult the program director early in their junior year to identify a project of interest and choose an honors adviser. The student is expected to use the honors program to develop an independent work, which displays their skills and capabilities in their chosen field. This can take the form of writing a play, performing a role, etc., with an emphasis on attaining a professional standard of work. The thesis must be performed and/or presented as a senior and will be reviewed by a faculty panel.

Theater Arts Faculty

Theater Arts Courses

Courses offered within the last 2 Academic Years