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Joan Herrington, Chair
Cheryl Bruey

The Department of Theatre offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. Students should refer to degree and General Education requirements within this catalog for specifics. The Department of Theatre concentrates on undergraduate programs that stress the interdependency of academic and production experiences, the importance of a broad theatre background, and the mastery of theatre fundamentals in preparation for the more advanced theatre training offered in graduate schools or professional theatre internship/apprentice programs.

Opportunities for participation in the production program begin with the freshman year. The department presents nine faculty-directed productions in the season, all in the Irving S. Gilmore Theatre Complex. Additional student-directed plays are presented in the Footlights I and II Series and in the directing classes. All regularly enrolled students in good academic standing (2.0 g.p.a. or above) are eligible to participate in these productions.

The Department of Theatre is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. The requirements for entrance and for graduation are in accordance with the published guidelines of NAST.

Admission as a Major

Admission to Western Michigan University is granted only by the Office of Admission and Orientation for undergraduate students. Application forms may be obtained by writing to the Office of Admissions and Orientation, 2240 Seibert Administration Building, or via the web at www.wmich.edu 

Enrollment in a Theatre or Music Theatre curricula is contingent upon admission to the University and approval of the Department of Theatre. Department approval is obtained through the theatre audition/interview process. The student may proceed by making application to the University, at which time notification will be sent about the audition/interview program in the Department, or a request may be made for an opportunity to audition prior to making application to the University by obtaining an Audition/Interview Application from the Department of Theatre via the web at www.wmich.edu/theatre The student is urged to commence application procedures early in the senior year of high school, or in the final year at a community college.

Approval to become a Theatre or Music Theatre major is based upon the student’s capabilities, as demonstrated by the audition or interview, upon academic abilities reflected in grade point average, various scholastic test scores as they are available, a resume, and upon letters of recommendation.

Further information regarding admission to a theatre or music theatre curricula may be obtained by writing to the Department of Theatre via the web at www.wmich.edu/theatre. The Department welcomes the opportunity to confer with prospective students, parents, and counselors regarding educational goals and plans.

Advising

The theatre academic advisor will assist any student enrolled in the University with course selections in theatre. Appointments are made by calling 387-3220. Theatre majors and minors must confer yearly with the theatre advisor who will help them plan their program. Music Theatre Performance Majors should meet with their advisor, Margaret Hamilton, School of Music, 387-4672. 

Transfer Credit

It is department policy to accept no more than 18 hours of transferred credit toward a major and 9 hours toward a minor.

Students transferring into the Performance Program will be assessed at the time of their audition and will be placed into the program at the level of study deemed appropriate by the Performance faculty.

Programs

The Department of Theatre offers two majors - Theatre and Music Theatre Performance - and one minor - Theatre.

Technology Requirement

Every undergraduate student with a major in Theatre must demonstrate proficiency in computer usage through one of the following options:

1. Satisfactory completion of THEA 1140 Digital Media in the Arts.
2. Waiver from the instructor of record based on demonstrable competence in all topics/modules of THEA 1140. Such competence must be demonstrated to the instructor of record in one of the following ways:
   1. The presentation of the syllabus for a course covering those topics taken previously by the student and evidence of successful completion of said course.
   2. Demonstration of proficiency in the course topics.

Baccalaureate Writing Requirement

Theatre students should take THEA 3700 Theatre History I to complete the Baccalaureate Writing Requirement. Students who have chosen the Music Theatre Performance BFA degree program will satisfy the Baccalaureate Writing Requirement by successfully completing THEA 3720 Music Theatre History Script Analysis II.

A student must complete all the General Education requirements as outlined in this catalog.

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