The theatre arts major prepares graduates to compete in the job market with a curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, team problem-solving, creative expression in various media, public speaking, and refined writing skills.
All required courses for the major guide students through a balanced program of hands-on and scholarly coursework with holistic exposure to theatre’s varied practice areas. The major is structured by course groups (see below).
Major Requirements Overview
To complete a major in theatre arts, students must fulfill the following requirements:
- All courses must be taken for letter grade and completed with a C grade or higher (exception: Theatre Production Credits as noted).
- Required Theatre Arts credits:
- 67 minimum major credits (course credits in theatre arts).
- 24 minimum upper-division credits earned at UO (300-level or above).
Required Core Courses (Group 1)
Of the ten required core courses, five are introductory, and five are advanced.
- 5 introductory core courses for 20 lower-division UO credits.
- TA 210. Introduction to Design. 4 credits.
- TA 211. Theatre Production I. 4 credits.
- TA 212. Theatre Production II. 4 credits.
- TA 250. Introduction to Acting. 4 credits.
- TA 271. Introduction to Theatre Arts. 4 credits.
- 5 advanced core courses for 20 upper-division UO credits.
- TA 367. History of Theatre I. 4 credits.
- TA 368. History of Theatre II. 4 credits.
- TA 369. History of Theatre III. 4 credits.
- TA 470. Majors Seminar. 4 credits.
- TA 490. Theatre Capstone: [Topic]. 4 credits.
Theatre Production Credits (Group 2)
Details for these course credits are outlined in the Undergraduate Student Handbook below (see: “Major Requirements – Theatre Production Credits FAQs” section). Majors complete:
- 3 Theatre Production Credits for 3 upper-division UO credits.
- UO credits are taken as P/NP (the only course credits for the major not taken for a letter grade).
Upper-Division Electives (Group 3-A and 3-B)
Majors choose six elective courses, and three must be completed from each group.
- 6 advanced courses in varied topics for 24 upper-division UO credits.
- 3 courses completed from each group:
- (Group 3-A) Upper-division courses in Acting, Directing*, Design, Technical Production, or Playwriting* that enhance practical skills.
- (Group 3-B) Upper-division courses in History, Literature, Criticism, or Dramaturgy* that deepen critical perspectives.
- *Please Note: After completing one TA 490 course for the required advanced core courses, additional TA 490 courses in other topics may fulfill upper-division elective requirements as indicated.
For full program details, use the Undergraduate Student Handbook (button below).
When you declare a theatre arts major, you will also be encouraged to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies and faculty mentors in the interest areas that you include in the online form.
Double Majoring in Theatre Arts
Many students double major in theatre arts and other areas of study. Common double majors pair theatre with business, cinema studies, English, linguistics, psychology, and philosophy. Most students complete both majors in four years with careful planning.
Students who want to double major in theatre and dance, journalism, or music may find schedules challenging due to performance and course commitments. These or other pairings may need diligent planning and additional terms beyond four years to complete both majors.
Theatre Arts Grading Standards
What follows is meant to help students understand departmental standards regarding the value of each letter grade. Faculty in the theatre arts department will have different procedures, scales, and references for how they grade, and different courses require different modes of evaluation, but the following reflects departmentally agreed meaning for each letter.
A = Complete success in idea, exploration, expression, extraordinary work reflective of genuine investment, discovery, and critical thinking—mastery.
B = Success in meeting most expectations of the assignment, good work reflective of sincere effort and basic comprehension—competence.
C = Some success in meeting minimum requirements only, poor organization, weak technical or group focus, half-rehearsed, lack of critical thinking—incoherence.
D = Significant lack of completion, ineptitude, disrespectful attitude towards others, failure to engage some minimum requirements, serious lapse of attention—indigence.
F = Major failure to meet deadlines and basic commitments, extraordinary lack of discipline or focus, clear evidence of plagiarism, cheating, bullying—negligence.
NOTE: In the Department of Theatre Arts, a grade of A+ is rare. 100% with perfect attendance or total points or straight As across a term do not guarantee an A+ – instead, this grade is entirely a matter of subjective instructor evaluation above and beyond the excellence described for an A grade.