• Major
• Minor

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The USI Theatre Program presents students with exciting experiences that carry the work of the classroom forward into the practical realm of the University’s fully-produced season of plays, a season that ranges from such classic playwrights as Sophocles and Shakespeare to contemporary plays and musicals. There is, also, an extended connection between the academic program and the University’s professional summer theatre program, and students often receive their first professional experience through the summer programs. With dedicated mentoring and placement guidance from the faculty, many students begin to work in other professional summer theatres around the country during their study, so there are always opportunities to pursue, both in and out of the classroom.

As Baccalaureate candidates, students prepare for a full range of possibilities following their college experience; while a strong professional focus is maintained throughout the program, the Theatre major has far-ranging applications, greatly increasing students’ sense of personal discipline, their critical thinking, and their communication skills. Graduates of the program are generally well-prepared for graduate study, specialized internships in the field, as well as for the professional world. Many will seek a career in teaching, combining their study with a Secondary Education field, such as English.

The Theatre Program at USI believes strongly that Theatre students, regardless of their area of focus, must have an appreciation for the theatre as a whole. It, therefore, requires a balance between performance and technical subject areas. All students are required to take some history or survey classes, as well. Still, the program provides a great deal of flexibility, enabling performance students to choose Acting, Directing, and Playwriting electives, while technology and design students may develop equally in the areas of Lighting, Scenery and Costume. Special Topics classes are periodically offered to address alternative interests and the needs of the students, as well.

In addition to the departmental degree requirements, a minimum of 50 hours in the University Core Curriculum must be met.

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Theatre Arts Major

43 Total Hours

Required courses ~ 28 Hours

• THTR 102 (3) Intro to Theatrical Production
• THTR 120 (1) Theatre Laboratory (2 semesters)
• THTR 251 (3) Acting I
• THTR 253 (3) Voice and Diction
• THTR 320 (1) Theatre Laboratory (2 semesters)

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• THTR 224 (3) Production Technology /OR/
  THTR 234 (3) Costume Technology /OR/
  THTR 243 (3) Lighting Technology

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• THTR 327 (3) Scene Design /OR/
  THTR 337 (3) Costume Design /OR/
  THTR 347 (3) Lighting Design /OR/
  THTR 487 (3) Introduction to Stage Directing

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• THTR 371 (3) History of Theatre I  /OR/
  THTR 473 (3) Western Drama I 

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• THTR 372 (3) History of Theatre II
  THTR 474 (3) Western Drama II

Elective courses ~ 15 Hours

(Note: Any of the courses above not selected as a required class can be selected as an elective)

THTR 150 (3) Practicum in Dance
THTR 234 (3) Costume Technology
THTR 235 (3) Stage Make-up
THTR 236 (3) Costume Crafts: Jewelry, Millinery, Fabric Modification
THTR 252 (3) Acting II
THTR 253 (3) Voice and Diction
THTR 351 (3) Acting III
THTR 352 (3) Acting IV
THTR 353 (3) Musical Theatre I
THTR 354 (3) Musical Theatre II
THTR 361 (3) Playwriting
THTR 381 (3) Stage Management
THTR 400 (1-3) Independent Study in Theatre Arts (6 hours max)
THTR 427 (3) Advanced Scene Design
THTR 498 (3) Internship in Theatre Arts
THTR 499 (3) Special Topics in Theatre Arts (without limit with topic change)
Any of the courses listed in areas with several selections that are not selected, may be taken as electives.

Students receive a well-rounded education in all areas of theatrical production with classes that develop expertise in acting, directing, design, stagecraft, play analysis, and theatre history. Theatre majors are required to participate in University productions. Productions take place at the USI Theatre, a 150-seat proscenium stage facility located off campus, and The Mallette Studio Theatre, a 125-seat experimental black-box theatre, located on the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center.

The program also offers opportunities in acting or production in either of its professional summer theatres. The New Harmony Theatre is a union-affiliated resident company which presents a summer season in historic New Harmony, Indiana. 

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Theatre Arts Minor

18 semester hours

The theatre minor is offered in order to enable students with a decided passion for a particular area of the theatre study, but who wish to pursue other interests, as well, to realize a shorter, more specialized program of study.

Required courses ~ 6 Hours

THTR 101 (3) Introduction to Theatre
THTR 120 (1) Theatre Laboratory (2 Semesters)
THTR 320 (1) Theatre Laboratory (2 Semesters)

Elective courses ~ 12 hours
6 hours must be at the 300-400 level
Students must observe all prerequisites

THTR 102 (3) Intro to Theatrical Productions
THTR 150 (3) Practicum in Dance
THTR 224 (3) Production Technology
THTR 234 (3) Costume Technology
THTR 235 (3) Make-up
THTR 236 (3) Costume Crafts
THTR 243 (3) Lighting Technology
THTR 252 (3) Acting II
THTR 253 (3) Voice and Diction
THTR 327 (3) Scene Design
THTR 337 (3) Costume Design
THTR 347 (3) Lighting Design
THTR 351 (3) Acting III
THTR 352 (3) Acting IV
THTR 353 (3) Musical Theatre I
THTR 354 (3) Musical Theatre II
THTR 361 (3) Playwriting
THTR 371 (3) History of Theatre I
THTR 372 (3) History of Theatre II
THTR 400 (1-3) Ind. Studies in Theatre (6 hours max)
THTR 427 (3) Advanced Scene Design
THTR 473 (3) History of Western Drama I
THTR 474 (3) History of Western Drama II
THTR 487 (3) Intro to Stage Direction
THTR 498 (3) Internship-Theatre Arts
THTR 499 Special Topics in Theatre (without limit with topic change)