Bachelor of Theatre Arts at San Francisco State University

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts is designed to provide training for professional careers in theatre, dance, and many other performing arts. The combination of liberal arts and professional training also prepares students for graduate school, teacher certifications, interdisciplinary/avocational interests in theatre and dance, as well as professional pursuits in other milieus. Coursework is supported and enhanced by the hands-on nature of the department's performance and production program. Students execute nearly all of the work on our School-sponsored productions.

The Theatre Arts major consists of 27 units of core requirements and an additional 18 elective units. Students are highly encouraged to meet regularly with their major advisor to select elective coursework that is most relevant to their career goals and they make efficient progress through the coursework.

There is no audition or portfolio review requirement to declare a major in Theatre Arts.

1. Students will develop sufficient ability in their area of specialty to be involved in the creation and presentation of public performances in the theatre.
2. Students will develop competence at thinking conceptually and critically about text, performance, and production.
3. Students will demonstrate a foundational understanding of playwriting and production processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the way these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural forces.
4. Students will demonstrate basic competence in the theater techniques of movement skills, voice skills, scenery and properties, costuming and make–up, lighting and sound, play development, leadership and organization for production– including intermediate to advanced competence in one or more areas of specialization in creation, performance, scholarship or teaching.
5. Students will demonstrate foundational knowledge of the historical and cultural dimensions of theater, including the works of leading playwrights, actors, directors, and designers both past and present.
6. Students will demonstrate foundational knowledge of a wide selection of theatre repertory including principal era, genres and cultural sources.
7. Students will demonstrate the ability to develop and defend informed judgments about theatre.