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Undergraduate

Theatre Arts

The theatre arts program at Saint Martin's University is designed to incorporate the best of Saint Martin’s liberal arts tradition with hands-on, professional-quality theatrical experience. The program integrates theatrical training with the study of dramatic literature and theater history as a means of developing intellectual, physical and spiritual adventurousness, openness of mind and increased understanding of the range of human experience.

Why Saint Martin's University?

Saint Martin’s small size enables Theatre Arts faculty to involve students in hands-on experience with all aspects of theatre, including:

  • Acting
  • Playwriting
  • Directing
  • Stage management
  • Set design
  • Lighting Design
  • Costume Design
  • Props Design

Students wishing to specialize in a particular area receive intensive training with professional mentors.

Additional Benefits:

The opportunity to experience a hands-on approach to virtually all aspects of theatrical production enables students to truly understand the world of theatre and gain valuable skills they will able to re-purpose in other professional fields they may choose to pursue.

Research and internships

Students often intern with a number of the area’s professional companies, including Harlequin Productions, Theatre Artists Olympia and Taproot Theatre.

Career paths

Many of our graduates continue to do theatre, either professionally or as an avocation, but many find success in other fields besides the arts, including:

  • Education
  • Social Services
  • Law
  • Business

Though it is notoriously difficult to make a living in the performing arts, the skills you develop in our theatre program - communication, aesthetic judgment, emotional understanding, organization ability - will serve you well, whatever your chosen field.

For a complete list of professional applications, visit "What Can I Do With Major?". For additional information about how Saint Martin’s can help you find the career for you, visit our Center for Career and Calling.

Theatre Arts Requirements

CORE requirements (40-46 credit hours)

Visit the undergraduate academic catalog for a complete breakdown of CORE (general) requirements for bachelor's degrees.

Theatre arts courses (36 credit hours, at least 21 of which are upper-division)

  • THR 201: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design and Technology
  • THR 211: Acting I
  • THR 302: Play Writing
  • THR 305: Styles, Periods and Practices in Theatre
  • THR 311: Acting II
  • THR 450: Directing Practicum (must have three semester hours credit)
  • ENG 203: Introduction to Drama
  • ENG 341: Shakespeare

Plus 12 credit hours chosen from:

  • THR 205/350: Acting Practicum
  • THR 290/390: Internship
  • THR 320: Scene Design
  • THR 330: Costume Design
  • THR 340: Lighting Design
  • THR 260/360: Design/Tech Practicum

THR 250, 260, 290, 350, 360, 390 and 450 are offered on a variable-credit basis. The number of hours of credit, 1 to 4, earned will be based on the size and/or complexity of the role to be played or the production support tasks being undertaken. Proficiency in a foreign language is strongly recommended for those intending to apply for graduate studies leading to a master’s and/or doctoral degree. 

Additional requirements

All students majoring in theatre arts are expected to work on each production each semester.

  • THR 201: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design and Technology
  • THR 211: Acting I
  • THR 250/350: Acting Practicum (must have three semester hours credit)
  • THR 305: Styles, Periods and Practices in Theatre  -OR-  THR 311: Acting II
  • ENG 203: Introduction to Drama  -OR-  ENG 341: Shakespeare
  • THR 302: Play Writing  -OR-  THR 450: Directing Practicum

Plus three credit hours chosen from:

  • THR 290/390: Internship
  • THR 320: Scene Design
  • THR 330: Costume Design
  • THR 340: Lighting Design
  • THR 260/360: Design/Tech Practicum
     

Theatre Arts at a Glance

Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Program Type
Major
Minor
Campus
Main (Lacey)
Type of Instruction
In Person
School
College of Arts and Sciences
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College of Arts and Sciences

Spanning the arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, and characterized by an educational environment that is both rigorous and supportive, the College of Arts and Sciences offers 20 undergraduate major programs and 20 minor programs.