Theater Arts B.A.

• Information and Policies
• Requirements and Planners

Information and Policies

Academic Advising for the Program Expand and Collapse

General information about theater arts and dance degrees is available on the Theater Arts Department website. Students are also strongly encouraged to consult early with the Theater Arts Department advisor to create an academic plan for the major or a minor far in advance of declaration, as early as the summer before beginning at the university. Please use Slug Success to make an appointment. You may also contact the department advisor by emailing [e-mail] or calling [phone]. 

Transfer students—please also see the How to Declare a Major and the Transfer Information and Policy sections below.

Program Learning Outcomes Expand and Collapse

Our program stresses dance, design, and drama as essential disciplines in the successful practice of theater arts in the contemporary world.

Graduates from the Theater Arts B.A. program should demonstrate the following:

1. Foundations of Performance. Students should be able to identify and apply basic theatrical techniques in dance, design, and drama.
2. Theatrical histories and theories. Students should be able to recognize and analyze performance works within the general culture and historical period that produced them.
3. Performance experience. Students should be able to translate theater arts concepts into performance, participating in any theatrical endeavor with the rigor, discipline, and imagination necessary to make a meaningful contribution.
4. Research proficiency. Students should be able to formulate personal research questions that expand their knowledge of theater arts, conducting independent research into the history and theory of at least one area of interest.
5. Creative practice. Students should be able to use theatrical practices and performance experiences to conceive, design, realize, and reflect on new performance projects.
6. Appreciation of diversity. Students should be able to recognize and appreciate a wide variety of approaches, cultures, and styles in both past and contemporary performance practice.
7. Communication and critical thinking. Students should be able to use critical vocabularies to communicate clearly about theater arts in written and oral forms.
8. Collaborative skills. Students should be able to work confidently and effectively in groups on a common project.

Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process Expand and Collapse

Major Qualification Expand and Collapse

Transfer students—please see the How to Declare a Major and the Transfer Information and Policy sections below. 

To declare the major no later than the major declaration deadline in their sixth term, as required by the university, students who start UC Santa Cruz as frosh must meet and make an academic plan with the Theater Arts Department academic advisor (make an advising appointment through Slug Success) and successfully completed three lower-division courses:

One course from:

THEA 61A	Ancient and Medieval Drama	5
THEA 61B	Drama from the Renaissance to the Modern Age	5
THEA 61C	The Birth of the Modern: Drama and Performance After the Renaissance	5

Plus two courses chosen from:

THEA 10	Introduction to Theater Design and Technology	5
THEA 30	Introduction to Dance Theory and Technique	5
Either this course
THEA 20	Introductory Studies in Acting	5
or this course
THEA 21	Acting Studio I: Psychological Realism	5

Either THEA 20 or THEA 21 may be used as one of the three courses taken for declaration eligibility (not both). THEA 20 is a non-audition course designed for students with little or no experience in acting. THEA 21 is appropriate for students with some acting experience and is admission-by-audition (audition requirements are listed when classes are published in the Schedule of Classes). Please speak with the department advisor for more information.

Students who start UC Santa Cruz as frosh are encouraged to complete the three qualification courses as early in their studies as possible so that they may declare the major no later than their sixth quarter, as required by the university.

Appeal Process Expand and Collapse

Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the department chair within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student and college of the decision. Students should submit their appeal via email to [e-mail].

How to Declare a Major Expand and Collapse

To declare the theater arts major, minor or dance minor all students meet with the academic advisor to begin the declaration process by making an appointment (via Slug Success). 

Students are also required to meet with a faculty advisor (assigned by the academic advisor) as part of the declaration process.

If non-course requirements remain incomplete by the campus deadline (in their sixth quarter for students admitted as frosh, and in their second quarter for transfer students), the student must be allowed to declare the major by the declaration deadline in their next academic term (excluding summer) without appeal.

Transfer students are encouraged to declare the major as soon as possible and may declare as soon as their first quarter on campus after meeting with the Theater Arts Department academic advisor (make an advising appointment through Slug Success). Transfer students may declare the theater arts major even if they have not completed any theater arts courses and must declare a major by the end of their second quarter, as required by the university. Transfer students should also read the notes in the Transfer Information and Policy section.

Transfer Information and Policy Expand and Collapse

Transfer Admission Screening Policy Expand and Collapse

Students planning to pursue the theater arts major are not required to audition, submit a portfolio, or complete specific major preparation courses for consideration of admission to UC Santa Cruz.

While not required for admission, transfer students are recommended to complete general education requirements before coming to UC Santa Cruz. Students may also complete courses that are articulated to UC Santa Cruz lower-division theater arts courses before coming to UC Santa Cruz. Please consult with the department advisor for more information.

Getting Started at UC Santa Cruz as a Transfer Student Expand and Collapse

Transfer students are strongly advised to consult with the Theater Arts Department academic advisor prior to enrolling in classes their first quarter (make an advising appointment through Slug Success, or email [e-mail] before you have access to that system). 

Transfer students may petition to have equivalent lower-division courses taken at other schools count toward lower-division major or minor requirements and should always consult with the Theater Arts Department academic advisor as early as possible regarding this option.

As stated in the How to Declare a Major section, transfer students may declare the major at any time after coming to UC Santa Cruz and are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, even if they have not completed any theater arts courses. Transfer students entering as juniors must declare a major by the deadline in their second quarter, as required by the university.

Letter Grade Policy Expand and Collapse

This program does not have a letter grade policy outside the university's Pass/No Pass limit and minimum grade requirement (more information is available on the Pass/No Pass website). 

Study Abroad Expand and Collapse

There are many opportunities for students to study abroad, potentially fulfilling major or minor requirements. Credits earned through study abroad programs or off-campus programs are considered on a case-by-case basis by the department faculty. Please consult with the department academic advisor about this process.

It is important to learn about requirements and deadlines as early as possible from the Study Abroad/Global Learning office and then to carefully plan with department and college advisors. Some required courses at UC Santa Cruz are only offered in certain quarters, for example, and therefore careful planning is essential. 

Please read more about study abroad opportunities on the Global Engagement website.

Requirements and Planners

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Course Requirements Expand and Collapse

The theater arts major requires seven lower-division courses, six credits of course THEA 50, and eight upper-division courses (inclusive of a senior seminar course, THEA 185). Majors may organize their studies around an area of interest in accordance with the requirements outlined below.

Credits earned via a study abroad program, such as the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP), or other off-campus programs are considered on a case-by-case basis by the department chair. Students should consult with their department and college advisors before planning studies outside of UC Santa Cruz. Please read more about study abroad opportunities on the Global Learning website.

Lower-Division Courses Expand and Collapse

One of the following courses:

THEA 20	Introductory Studies in Acting	5
THEA 21	Acting Studio I: Psychological Realism	5

Plus all of the following courses:

THEA 10	Introduction to Theater Design and Technology	5
THEA 30	Introduction to Dance Theory and Technique	5
THEA 61A	Ancient and Medieval Drama	5
THEA 61B	Drama from the Renaissance to the Modern Age	5
THEA 61C	The Birth of the Modern: Drama and Performance After the Renaissance	5

Plus the following course (three times):

THEA 50

Fundamentals of Theater Production

2

NOTE: this 2-credit course must be taken three times for a total of six credits. Students are highly encouraged to complete all six required credits of THEA 50 before their last two quarters, and to contact the department advisor early to learn about the unique enrollment process for the class.

Plus one course

One lower-division 5-credit elective course.

Upper-Division Courses Expand and Collapse

Eight upper-division courses must be taken as part of the major, as specified here:

The following course:

THEA 160

Dramatic Theories

5

Plus two studio courses chosen from:

THEA 103 /ART 143T	Design Concept Development	5
THEA 106 /ART 146T	Digital Illustration	5
THEA 114	Sound Design and Engineering for the Theater	5
THEA 115A	Design Studio: Scenic Design	5
THEA 115B	Design Studio: Scenic Design B	5
THEA 117 /ART 147T	Design Studio: Costume	5
THEA 117A	Advanced Costume Construction	5
THEA 118	Design Studio: Scene Painting	5
THEA 119	Design Studio: Lighting Studio B	5
THEA 120	Voice and Movement for Performers	5
THEA 121	Acting Studio II: Shakespeare	5
THEA 123	Acting and Shakespeare	5
THEA 124	Movement for Performers	5
THEA 126	Acting Studio III	5
THEA 126M	The Meisner Technique: A Practical Exploration	5
THEA 131A	Dance Studio II: Asian or Asian Diasporic Practice	5
THEA 131C	Dance Studio II: Advanced Contemporary Forms and Practices	5
THEA 135	Choreography I	5
THEA 136	Choreography II	5
THEA 141	Play Direction Studio I	5
THEA 142	Play Direction Studio II	5
THEA 152	Advanced Stagecraft	5
THEA 155	Shakespeare to Go	5
THEA 157	Playwriting	5
THEA 159	Advanced Playwriting	5

Optional: If a theater arts major takes more than the one required faculty-directed production course (listed in the separate section below), the second may be used toward one of the two upper-division studio course requirements.

Plus two history/theory/critical studies courses, chosen from:

THEA 100A	Asian Theater/Dance and Global Impacts	5
THEA 100B	Black Theater USA	5
THEA 100C	Courts, Courtesans, Shamans, and Clowns: Asian Drama	5
THEA 100W	Black/African Diasporic World Theater	5
THEA 104	Multimedia Authoring	5
THEA 108	Theater and Interaction Design	5
THEA 113	The History of Design for Theater	5
THEA 116A	History of Clothing and Costume	5
THEA 122	Indian Performance: Rama, Siva, Krishna	5
THEA 161C	Theater and Drama of the Renaissance	5
THEA 161D	Asian Theater: An Anthropological Approach	5
THEA 161H	Shakespeare In Asia	5
THEA 161M	Sexuality, Gender, Drama, and Performance	5
THEA 161P /LALS 161P	Theater in the Chicano Power Movement	5
THEA 161Q	Queer Theatricks: Representations and Sensibilities	5
THEA 161R	Theater of American Cultures	5
THEA 161S	American Drama: Politics and Theater	5
THEA 161T	Women in Theater	5
THEA 161U	Performance of Story in Theater and Film	5
THEA 161Y /COWL 161Y	Modern Ancient Drama	5
THEA 163A	Shakespeare	5
THEA 163E	Chekhov and His Impact	5
THEA 163G	Special Studies in Playwrights: Artaud	5
THEA 163H	Henrik Ibsen and His Impact: Ghosts of the Future	5
THEA 163K	Special Studies in Playwrights: Euripides	5
THEA 164	Issues in Dance History and Theory	5
THEA 165	Dance Modernism	5
THEA 166	Ballet: A History	5
THEA 167	Africanist Aesthetics: Live Dialogues in the Americas and Africa	5

Plus one upper-division elective:

This may be any course listed in the upper-division studio section or the history/theory/critical studies sections above that is not being used to fulfill another requirement.

Plus one faculty-directed theater arts production course:

THEA 137	Studies in Performance (Dance)	5
THEA 137A	Studies in Performance (Dance): Asian	5
THEA 151	Studies in Performance (Drama)	5
THEA 151A	Studies in Performance: African American Theater Arts Troupe	5
THEA 151I	Studies in Performance: Indonesian Dance and Drama	5
THEA 155	Shakespeare to Go	5

Plus this comprehensive requirement course:

THEA 185

Senior Seminar

5

The following courses DO NOT satisfy theater arts major requirements:

THEA 55A	Workshop in Performance: Barnstorm	5
THEA 55B	Workshop in Performance: Barnstorm Lab	2
THEA 139	Random: With a Purpose	5
THEA 158	Chautauqua Workshop	5
THEA 190	Group Projects	5
THEA 198	Independent Field Study	5
THEA 199	Tutorial	5

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement Expand and Collapse

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC Requirement in Theater Arts B.A. is met by completion of the required courses:

THEA 160	Dramatic Theories	5
THEA 185	Senior Seminar	5

Comprehensive Requirement Expand and Collapse

THEA 185

Senior Seminar

5

Planners Expand and Collapse

Below are planners for frosh and junior transfer students.

Please note that LD = lower division (courses numbered 1–99), and UD = upper division (courses numbered 100–199).

Current course offerings can be found on the department website.

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Four-Year Frosh Planner

	Fall	Winter	Spring
Year 1 (Frosh)	THEA 20 or THEA 21	THEA 61B (offered winter qtr only)	THEA 61C  (offered spring qtr only)
			THEA 10
Year 2 (Soph)	THEA 61A (offered fall qtr only)	THEA LD Elective	THEA UD Studio
	THEA 30	[Faculty-Directed Production – see info. below]
	THEA 50 (2-credit)	THEA 50 (2-credit)	THEA 50 (2-credit)
Year 3 (Jr)	THEA UD Studio	THEA UD History/Theory/Crit Studies	THEA 160 (offered spring qtr only; this is the prerequisite for THEA 185)
	THEA UD History/Theory/Crit Studies	THEA UD Elective
Year 4 (Sr)	THEA 185 (offered fall qtr only; prerequisite is THEA 160)

The specific courses shown in this four-year planner satisfy the IM, PR-C, and TA general education (GE) requirements. Other courses taken to fulfill major requirements may fulfill additional GE requirements. Students must satisfy all GE requirements. Students should consult their college advising office with any questions about GEs.

Faculty-Directed Production: Participation in one Faculty-Directed Production is a requirement for the theater arts major [separate from THEA 50 production courses]. Enrollment is by audition or interview; therefore, it is important that students begin trying to fulfill the requirement as early as possible as it cannot be predicted when they will be cast or chosen to participate. Contact the department advisor for information: [e-mail]. Details can also be found in the Theater Arts Undergraduate Handbook.

Two-Year Transfer Planner

	Fall	Winter	Spring
Year 1 (Jr)	THEA 61A (offered fall qtr only)	THEA 61B (offered winter qtr only)	THEA 61C  (offered spring qtr only)
	THEA 20 or THEA 21	THEA 30	THEA 160 (offered spring qtr only; this is the prerequisite for THEA 185)
	THEA 10	[Faculty-Directed Production—see info. below]	THEA LD elective
		THEA 50 (2-credit)	THEA 50 (2-credit)
Year 2 (Sr)	THEA 185 (offered fall qtr only; prerequisite is THEA 160)	THEA UD History/Theory/Crit Studies	THEA UD History/Theory/Crit Studies
	THEA UD studio	THEA UD studio	THEA UD elective
	THEA 50 (2-credit)

In addition to the specific courses shown in this transfer planner, students must complete (or must have completed at another institution) courses satisfying all general education (GE) requirements. Students should consult their college advising office with any questions about GEs.

Faculty-Directed Production: Participation in one 5-credit Faculty-Directed Production class is a requirement for the theater arts major (separate from THEA 50 production classes). Enrollment is by audition or interview; therefore, it is important that students begin trying to fulfill the requirement as early as possible as it cannot be predicted when they will be cast or chosen to participate. Contact the department advisor for information: [e-mail]. Details can also be found in the Theater Arts Undergraduate Handbook.