Bachelor of Arts Theatre & Dance with a Major in Performance (BA)
Jim Lyden, Chief Departmental Advisor for Design/Technology, Performance, Theatre, and PreK-12 Theatre Education
Requirements
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication: Grade of C or better required in both courses and in ENGL 110C before declaring major.
Oral Communication requirement is met in the major.
Language and Culture: Proficiency through 202 level; proficiency not met by completion of an associate degree.
Human Creativity: Design/technology majors, performance majors, theatre majors, and PreK-12 theatre education majors may not use THEA 241A; cinema production majors may not use COMM 270A/THEA 270A; dance and PreK-12 dance education majors may not use DANC 185A.
The Nature of Science: PreK-12 dance education majors must take BIOL 117N/BIOL 118N.
The Impact of Technology requirement is satisfied by TLED 430W for PreK-12 dance education and PreK-12 theatre education majors.
COMM 200S preferred for Human Behavior requirement.
Upper-Division General Education
-
Option A. Approved Minor, 12-24 hours; also second degree or second major
-
Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor, 12 hours specified by the department, 3 of which may be in the major area of study
-
Option C. An approved certification program such as teaching licensure
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Option D. Six hours of elective upper-level course work from outside the College of Arts and Letters or from the Social Science Component within the College of Arts and Letters that are not required by the major.
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include the following:
- Minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
- Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
- Completion of Senior Assessment.
Theatre and Dance Core
All students pursuing a BA degree in Theatre and Dance must complete the core requirements listed below.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THEA/DANC 152R | Acting One | 3 |
| THEA/DANC/COMM 271 | Introduction to Filmmaking | 3 |
| THEA/DANC 390 | Improvisation | 3 |
| THEA/DANC 373 | Production/Performance Lab | 1 |
| THEA/DANC 374 | Production/Performance Lab | 1 |
| THEA/DANC 473 | Production/Performance Lab | 1 |
| THEA/DANC 474 | Production/Performance Lab | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 13 | |
Performance Major
Chris Hanna, Program Director
Jim Lyden, Chief Departmental Advisor for Performance
Admission
The performance major is intended for students who wish to pursue performance as a career. Students will be admitted to the performance major through an audition and interview process administered by the faculty each spring. No student is guaranteed admittance or continuance in the performance major. Students may return to the theatre major at any time.
Continuance
Students must pass a proficiency audition administered by the faculty every spring. Students must abide by the theatre student handbook regulations for the performance major.
Requirements
Majors must have an overall grade point average of C or better in the major
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 38-44 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (minimum of 6 credit hours) | 6 | |
| Complete foreign language coursework through the 202 level | 0-6 | |
| Theatre and Dance Core | ||
| Complete theatre and dance core requirements | 13 | |
| Performance | ||
| THEA 225 | Introduction to Production Technology | 3 |
| THEA 230 | Drama for Production * | 3 |
| THEA 243H | Theatre Histories | 3 |
| THEA 252 | Acting Two | 3 |
| THEA 320 | Auditioning Technique | 3 |
| THEA 347 | Movement for the Actor | 3 |
| THEA 352 | Acting Three | 3 |
| THEA 360 | Voice for the Stage I | 3 |
| THEA 442 | Principles of Directing (Satisfies Senior Experience Requirement) | 3 |
| THEA 449W | Script and Performance Analysis | 3 |
| THEA/DANC Electives | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 96-108 | |
- *
Meets oral communication requirement.
As part of the Core Requirements, a minimum of 4 credits of practicum experience to include at least 2 credits of THEA/DANC Production/Performance Lab as production and 2 credits as performance required.
Students should consult with their advisors about approved courses that can fulfill the Identity and Inclusion requirement.
Elective Credit
Elective credit will be needed to meet the minimum requirement of 120 credit hours.
Additional Requirements and Information
Departmental Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance
ODU offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre and Dance with seven majors: Cinema Production, Dance, Dance Education, Design/Technology, Performance, Theatre, and Theatre Education. All students pursuing the BA in Theatre and Dance must fulfill the core requirements and the requirements of a particular major. Majors must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better in the major.
Students should consult with their advisors about approved courses that can fulfill the Identity and Inclusion requirement. ALL students majoring in programs in Cinema Production, Dance, and Theatre are required to complete a Senior Experience as part of their degree. Senior Experiences are designed as stepping stones for students to apply knowledge and skills accrued throughout their coursework toward preparing for future careers. Senior Experience course options will vary by major but include options for an internship, a study abroad/away experience, a service-learning course, a senior capstone, or more specialized experiences within students' chosen majors. Please see descriptions included under each major for more options. Students become eligible for Senior Experience options once they reach 90 credits or with permission of the Senior Experience Coordinator. Students will be directed by their advisor to opportunities that are suited for the area of study and as other opportunities become available. For more information please reach out to the Senior Experience Coordinator, Alison Lietzenmayer.
All students Majoring in Cinema Production, Dance and Theatre must complete a minimum of one three-credit Identity and Inclusion course as part of their curriculum studies to graduate with a degree from the department. This course can either fulfill an applied theories course within a student's area or count as an elective toward their 120-credits needed to earn their degree.
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Mathematical Skills | 3 | |
| Human Creativity (May not use THEA 241A) | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture I (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| THEA/DANC 152R | Acting One (Satisfies Oral Communication) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture II (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| THEA 225 | Introduction to Production Technology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research (Grade of C or better required) or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Language and Culture III | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| THEA 230 | Drama for Production | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
| Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| Language and Culture IV | 3 | |
| Human Behavior (COMM 200S preferred) | 3 | |
| THEA 252 | Acting Two | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| DANC/THEA 373 | Production/Performance Lab | 1 |
| DANC/COMM/THEA 271 | Introduction to Filmmaking | 3 |
| THEA 243H | Theatre Histories | 3 |
| THEA 320 | Auditioning Technique | 3 |
| THEA 347 | Movement for the Actor | 3 |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEA 352 | Acting Three | 3 |
| THEA 360 | Voice for the Stage I | 3 |
| DANC/THEA 374 | Production/Performance Lab | 1 |
| DANC/THEA 390 | Improvisation | 3 |
| DANC/THEA course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| THEA 449W | Script and Performance Analysis | 3 |
| DANC/THEA 473 | Production/Performance Lab | 1 |
| DANC/THEA course | 1 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| THEA 442 | Principles of Directing (Satisfies Senior Experience requirement) | 3 |
| DANC/THEA course* | 3 | |
| DANC/THEA 474 | Production/Performance Lab | 1 |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
All undergraduate degree-seeking students in the Department of Communication & Theatre Arts, regardless of major, must complete a minimum of one three credit Identity & Inclusion course as part of their curriculum studies. The Identity and Inclusion requirement may be met with COMM 315W, COMM 488, COMM 495, COMM 495, DANC 361 and DANC 362. Students should check with their advisor for additional course options to meet the Identity and Inclusion requirement.
BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study. The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree. Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study. Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.
BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student. The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree. The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major. Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).
Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog. For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.