Bachelor of Puppetry at West Virginia University

Common Body of Knowledge and Skills for B.F.A. Theatre students

Students must acquire:

Technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major area of production (for example, acting, design/technology, playwriting, musical theatre) and those skills must be progressively developed to the highest level appropriate to the particular area of concentration.

1. An overview understanding of the major aspects, techniques, and directions in the area of concentration.

2. Fundamental, comprehensive understanding of the various elements and basic interrelated processes of creation, interpretation, performance, and production.

3. Fundamental, conceptual understanding of the expressive possibilities of theatre.

4. Knowledge and skills sufficient to work in both collaborative and individual roles in matters of theatre interpretation.

5. Growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence, and knowledge of repertory through regular performance and production experiences. Students must have such experiences throughout the degree program.

6. Repertory. Students must acquire:

   1. Familiarity with theatre literature of various historical periods, cultural sources, and modes of presentation.

   2. Experience with specific repertories and comparative standards of production quality through performance, academic study, and attendance at productions.

7. Theoretical and Historical Studies

   1. Students must acquire:

      1. The ability to analyze plays perceptively and to evaluate them critically.

      2. An understanding of the common elements and vocabulary of theatre and of the interaction of these elements, and be able to employ this knowledge in analysis, including analyses of their productions.

      3. The ability to place works of theatre in historical and stylistic contexts and have some understanding of the cultural milieu in which they were created.

      4. The ability to develop and defend informed judgments about theatre.

   2. Technology. Students must acquire a working knowledge of technologies and equipment applicable to their area(s) of specialization.

8. Synthesis. While synthesis is a lifetime process, by the end of undergraduate studies students should be able to work independently on a variety of professional problems by combining, as appropriate to the issue, their capabilities in performance, repertory, theory, history, and technology, as well as other fields they have studied.

Upon completion of any B.F.A. professional undergraduate degree program:

1. Students must demonstrate achievement of professional, entry-level competence in the area of specialization including significant technical mastery, the capability to produce work and solve professional problems independently, and a coherent set of artistic/intellectual goals that are evident in their work.

2. Students must demonstrate their competence by developing a body of work for evaluation in the major area of study. A senior project or presentation in the major area is required in many concentrations, and strongly recommended for all others.

3. Students must have the ability to communicate ideas, concepts, and requirements to theatre professionals and laypersons related to the practice of the major field. Such communication may involve oral, written, visual, and musical media.