School of Arts & Humanities · Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s in Theatre
Act, design, direct, and build the show.
Theatre takes many talents. MVU’s theatre major trains you in acting, stagecraft, design, directing, playwriting, and theatre management, and ends with a portfolio and senior showcase.
120
credit hours to graduate
48
credit hours in the major
On campus
in Marshall, Missouri
4 years
at a full-time pace
Why theatre at MVU
Every side of the stage
Build skills on stage and behind the scenes through classes and practicum work.
Perform
Take Acting I and II, improvisation, and voice, with options for advanced acting and musical theatre.
Design and build
Learn stagecraft, theatre design, stage makeup, and costume construction.
Lead and create
Direct, write plays, manage productions, and finish with a senior showcase.
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Perform on stage.
- Design sets, costumes, lights, or makeup.
- Direct, write, or manage productions.
- Build creative and collaborative skills for any career.
What will I learn to do?
Skills you’ll practice and grow
- Describe the history of theatre and its major playwrights and theorists.
- Analyze scripts and performances.
- Communicate and collaborate in a production.
- Apply performance techniques.
- Work with the elements of literature, performance, and design.
How the degree works
How your 120 credit hours add up
Here’s how the degree is built. Your advisor helps you choose courses each term.
01
General education core
At least 42 credit hours across writing, speaking, math, science, social science, and the humanities.
02
Theatre courses
42 credit hours of acting, stagecraft, design, directing, playwriting, management, theatre history, practicum, portfolio, and showcase.
03
Theatre electives
6 credit hours from acting, technical, design, children’s theatre, musical theatre, dance, or an internship.
04
Electives or a minor
Use the rest of your 120 hours for electives, a minor, or even a second major.
Explore the curriculum
What you’ll study
Here are the courses in the major. Your advisor helps you plan the order.
Required courses (42 credit hours)
- COMM 104 The Speaking Voice
- THEA 115 Acting I
- THEA 125 Stagecraft
- THEA 211 Script Analysis
- THEA 212 Theatre Design
- THEA 215 Acting II
- THEA 225 Stage Make-up
- THEA 240 Improvisation Techniques (1 credit)
- THEA 245 Theatre Practicum (1 credit)
- THEA 270 Playwriting
- THEA 300 Directing I
- THEA 320 Stage and Theatre Management
- THEA 350 History of Theatre I
- THEA 352 History of Theatre II
- THEA 445 Theatre Practicum (1 credit)
- THEA 490 Theatre Portfolio (1 credit)
- THEA 491 Senior Showcase (1 credit)
Electives (6 credit hours)
- Choose from Costume Construction, Acting III, acting, technical, or design workshops, Children’s Theatre Workshop, Survey of American Musical Theatre, more improvisation or practicum, independent study, an internship, or dance (Jazz I, Tap I, Ballet I, Dance Improvisation)
General education core (at least 42 credit hours)
- Social and behavioral science (9 hours) from at least two subjects, including one constitution course: HIST 104, HIST 105, or POLS 100
- Written communication (6 hours): ENGL 130 Rhetoric and Composition, plus ENGL 160 or HONR 190
- Oral communication (3 hours), such as COMM 100 Public Speaking & Introduction to Communication
- Natural science: 7 hours from at least two subjects, including a lab (BS); 3 hours (BA and BFA)
- Mathematics (3 hours)
- Humanities and fine arts: 9 hours (BS) or 12 hours (BA and BFA) from at least three subjects, covering the arts and creativity, ethics, and culture and society
- Additional general education from any area, to reach at least 42 hours
- Plus one Writing Intensive (WI) course and one Service Learning (SL) course, which can overlap with other requirements
Graduation requirements
- Complete at least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Earn a major GPA of 2.0 or higher, with no grade below C and no pass/fail grades in the major.
- Complete at least 36 credit hours of upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
- Complete your last 30 credit hours, and at least 12 hours of your major, at MVU.
- Complete the major assessment requirement.
- Apply for graduation and pay the $100 graduation fee.
Getting started
Three steps to begin
Applying to MVU is free, and most students finish the application in a few minutes.
02
Send your transcripts
Send your high school transcript, plus official transcripts from any college or dual credit courses. Transferring? See the transfer steps.
03
Plan how you’ll pay
Explore scholarships, grants, and loans on Tuition & Financial Aid, or request information for current tuition.
Can I teach theatre?
If you want to teach speech and theatre in middle or high school, see Speech/Theatre Education 9–12.
Can I add a minor or a second major?
Yes. A minor is optional and appears on your transcript; it must be in a different subject than your major. You can also double major by completing all the requirements for both majors. You’ll receive one diploma.
What do I need to graduate?
- At least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- A C or higher in every major course.
- At least 36 upper-division credit hours.
- Your last 30 credit hours at MVU.
- An application for graduation and the $100 graduation fee.
Talk with the Dean
Have questions about courses, productions, or how to plan your degree? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
Bachelor’s in Theatre