Requirements

Theatre

Major Requirements

Download the Theatre major self-audit form

Students intending to major in Theatre should consult with the Department Chair in their sophomore year or earlier to plan a program: this consultation is required for Barnard students and strongly recommended for Columbia students. Twelve courses and one senior thesis (in Performance or in Research) are required as follows:

DRAMATIC LITERATURE AND THEATRE HISTORY

Three courses in world theatre and performance histories: THTR V 3150 and 3151, and one of the following: THTR V 3000 OR 3155 OR 3156
 
One course in drama, theatre, and performance theories: THTR V 3165 OR THTR V 3166 OR ENTA W 3702
 
One course in Shakespeare
 
Two courses in dramatic literature, taken in the Theatre Department or in another department with advisor's approval. One course must be a seminar.
 

THEATRE PRACTICE

One course in theatre design: THTR V 3133, 3134, 3135, 3136, 3510, 4001; 3203 may be counted if not counted toward Directing.
 
One course in acting: THTR V 2007, 3004, 3005
 
One course in directing: THTR V 3200, 3201; 3203 may be counted if not counted toward Design.
 
Concentration: all majors must take an additional 2 courses in the field of the senior thesis: acting, directing, design, dramaturgy, playwriting, or research. See below.
 

SENIOR THESIS

THTR V 3997 Senior Thesis: Performance (acting, design, directing, dramaturgy, or playwriting)
 
Prior to completing the Senior Thesis: Performance, majors must take an additional two courses in the field of the thesis (acting, design, directing, playwriting). For theses in Dramaturgy, students take two courses in drama, theatre, or performance research; these courses may be drawn from courses in dramatic literature, theatre studies, and global performance traditions offered in the Theatre department, or from dramatic literature courses offered in other departments with adviser's approval. Dramaturgy concentrators may substitute one course in playwriting for one of these two courses. Students taking a Solo Performance thesis are required to have taken the Solo Performance course prior to the thesis semester (spring), among the three required courses in acting. 
 
THTR V 3998 Senior Thesis: Research 
 
Prior to completing the Senior Thesis: Research, majors must take an additional two courses in drama, theatre, or performance research; these courses may be drawn from courses in dramatic literature, theatre studies, and global performance traditions offered in the Theatre department, or from dramatic literature courses offered in other departments with adviser's approval. These courses should be discussed with the student's major advisor, as well as with the sponsor of the thesis.

PRODUCTION CREW

Theatre majors planning on completing a Senior Thesis in Performance (acting, design, directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, solo performance) are required to complete a run crew assignment and a crew head assignment prior to their final semester; to be in the strongest position for the thesis, ideally these assignments are completed during the junior year.  Please see the section on Production Crewfor more information.

STUDIO COURSES

Please note that for Barnard students there is a limit on studio courses. Theatre majors may take 24 studio points in Theatre and an additional six in another discipline for a total of 30 studio points. Theatre Department studio courses are THTR V 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2120, 3004, 3005, 3006, 3122-29, 3172-79.

GRADUATE COURSES

Only under special circumstances, and with the permission of the instructor, can undergraduates take graduate classes.