Theatre: Acting Specialization (B.F.A.)

84 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

The B.F.A. Acting Specialization prepares students for entry into professional theatre as specialists in performance or for graduate study in the area. Actor training is process oriented with emphasis placed on developing a flexible vocal/physical/sensory instrument to be integrated with a specific system of text analysis for use in the creation of a role.

In addition to the regental and university general education requirements, the following courses are required:

Specialization Requirements (84 hours)

• THEA 119 - First Year Experience (or THEA 192 with the same title) (C)

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• THEA 131 - Introduction to Acting (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]

• Or

• THEA 231 - Acting I [SGR #4, HSDC] (majors)

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• THEA 141 - Technical Theatre I
• THEA 141L - Technical Theatre I Lab (2 concurrent sections required)
• THEA 181 - Fundamentals of Voice & Movement
• THEA 232 - Acting II
• THEA 239 - Auditioning
• THEA 240 - Stage Costuming (C)
• THEA 243 - Make-Up (C)
• THEA 250 - Play Analysis (C)
• THEA 283 - Voice Dynamics
• THEA 285 - Movement Dynamics I
• THEA 286 - Movement Dynamics II
• THEA 331 - Acting III
• THEA 332 - Acting IV
• THEA 351 - Directing (C)
• THEA 431 - Acting: Period Styles
• THEA 432 - Acting: Shakespeare
• THEA 440 - Business of the Performance Profession
• THEA 485 - Movement Specialties (Combat)
• THEA 494 - Internship (C) 1 credit required
• THEA 495 - Practicum (C) 4 credits required
• THEA 498 - Senior Project (C) 1 credit required

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• Select one course from the following (3 cr):

• THEA 441 - Scene Design (C)
• THEA 443 - Costume Design (C)
• THEA 445 - Lighting (C)

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• Select 3 courses from the following (9 cr):

• THEA 461 - Origins to Early Modern
• THEA 462 - Early Modern to Melodrama
• THEA 463 - Modern Drama & Theatre
• THEA 464 - Contemporary Drama & Theatre

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• Specialization Nondepartmental Requirements (4 hour):

• ENGL 210 - Introduction to Literature (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]

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• Select 1 course from the following:

• MUAP 100 - Applied Music-Voice (C)
• MUAP 101 - Applied Music-Voice (C)
• MUAP 200 - Applied Music-Voice (C)
• MUAP 201 - Applied Music-Voice (C)
• MUAP 300 - Applied Music-Voice (C)
• MUAP 301 - Applied Music-Voice (C)
• MUAP 400 - Applied Music-Voice (C)
• MUAP 401 - Applied Music-Voice (C)
• THEA 210 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 1
• THEA 211 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 2
• THEA 310 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 3
• THEA 311 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 4
• THEA 410 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 5
• THEA 411 - Musical Theatre Applied Voice 6

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• THEA Elective 7cr

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan. 

• Theatre, B.F.A.-Acting specialization 4-year plan guide

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization