Theatre, B.A.

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre is to produce committed Christian graduates who are prepared to express, represent, and dramatize insights and ethical messages in performances. They illustrate through acting, directing, design, and criticism insightful interpretations of dramatic literature in performance, both popular and religious. These graduates demonstrate proficiency in both theory and praxis of the theatre arts discipline.

Degree Program

Upon completion of the University baccalaureate and major requirements, the Biola Conservatory offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. Obtaining a degree with this major requires 44 to 54 credits, depending on the concentration chosen.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate accurate critical analysis through the presentation of oral and written critiques of texts and performances (ULO 1).
  2. Identify and describe where and how the theatrical arts compliment, mirror, and are informed by biblical values and content (ULO 1, ULO 2).
  3. Exhibit collaborative skills as members of a team in the creation of artistic endeavors (ULO 2).
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of theatre history and literature, applying connections between theatrical practices and social contexts (ULO 2).
  5. Integrate research and critical thinking skills towards excellence in preparation and presentation (ULO 3).
  6. Apply experiential training in the art and business of the theatre production process, in the classroom and on stage (ULO 3).
Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.
 

Writing Competency Requirement

Every Biola student must fulfill the Writing Competency Requirement (WCR). Students fulfill the WCR by passing ENGL 313 with a C+ or better. If they fail to meet this requirement, they must consult with their major advisor for an alternative WCR pathway. For more information, see the section titled "Writing Competency Requirement" under the Admission, Enrollment and Graduation Requirements section. 

Curriculum Requirements

Under this major, students may choose from the four concentrations detailed below.

Acting for Stage and Screen

Students may choose a concentration in Acting for Stage and Screen with the completion of 50 credits (maximum 21 lower-division credits and 29 upper-division credits).

Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses
THTR 160
Theatre Appreciation
COMM 200
The Rhetorical Act
ENGL 220
Literature and Film
PSYC 200
Introduction to Psychology
PHIL 216
Introduction to Philosophy and Aesthetics
Concentration Courses
CNMA 104History of Cinema3
THTR 110Theatre History I3
THTR 112Production Lab I1
THTR 162Voice and Speech for the Actor3
THTR 212Production Lab II1
THTR 241Intro to Technical Theatre4
THTR 264Beginning Acting3
THTR 312Production Lab III1
THTR 350Theatre History II3
THTR 353Textual Analysis3
THTR 360Screen Acting I3
THTR 362Movement for the Actor3
THTR 369Intermediate Acting3
THTR 412Production Lab IV1
THTR 460Screen Acting II3
THTR 463Advanced Acting Workshop3
Elective Courses: Select 9 credits from the following: (3 lower-division, 6 upper-division) 19
THTR 215
Makeup for Stage and Screen
THTR 216
Topics in Theatre
THTR 232
Costume Study and Construction
THTR 345
Lighting and Sound for Theatre
THTR 391
Stage Managing and Directing Theatre
THTR 405
Dramatic Theory and Criticism
THTR 410
Advanced Topics in Theatre
THTR 419
Dramatic Design
THTR 435
Playwriting for Performance
THTR 468
Drama for Christian Ministry
THTR 477
London Theatre Study Tour
COMM 470
Communication Seminar
Total Credits50

Musical Theatre

Students may choose a concentration in Musical Theatre with the completion of 54 credits. 

Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses
THTR 160
Theatre Appreciation
COMM 200
The Rhetorical Act
PSYC 200
Introduction to Psychology (Recommended)
PHIL 216
Introduction to Philosophy and Aesthetics (Recommended)
Concentration Courses
THTR 110Theatre History I3
THTR 112Production Lab I1
THTR 162Voice and Speech for the Actor3
THTR 212Production Lab II1
THTR 241Intro to Technical Theatre4
THTR 264Beginning Acting3
THTR 312Production Lab III1
THTR 320Dance for Musical Theatre3
THTR 350Theatre History II3
THTR 353Textual Analysis3
THTR 362Movement for the Actor3
THTR 369Intermediate Acting3
THTR 412Production Lab IV1
THTR 463Advanced Acting Workshop3
MUSC 002Chamber Music Ensemble1
MUSC 145Applied Music4
MUSC 153Sight-Singing and Dictation I2
MUSC 154Music Theory I2
MUSC 445Applied Music4
Elective Courses: Select 6 credits from the following: (3 lower-division, 3 upper-division) 16
THTR 215
Makeup for Stage and Screen
THTR 216
Topics in Theatre
THTR 232
Costume Study and Construction
THTR 345
Lighting and Sound for Theatre
THTR 391
Stage Managing and Directing Theatre
THTR 405
Dramatic Theory and Criticism
THTR 410
Advanced Topics in Theatre
THTR 419
Dramatic Design
THTR 435
Playwriting for Performance
THTR 468
Drama for Christian Ministry
THTR 477
London Theatre Study Tour
MUSC 390
Opera Theatre
COMM 470
Communication Seminar
Total Credits54

Production

Students may choose a concentration in Production with the completion of 44 credits. 

Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses
THTR 160
Theatre Appreciation
COMM 200
The Rhetorical Act
PSYC 200
Introduction to Psychology (Recommended)
PHIL 216
Introduction to Philosophy and Aesthetics (Recommended)
Concentration Courses
THTR 109Production Practicum1
THTR 110Theatre History I3
THTR 209Production Practicum II1
THTR 241Intro to Technical Theatre4
THTR 264Beginning Acting3
THTR 309Production Practicum III1
THTR 350Theatre History II3
THTR 353Textual Analysis3
THTR 369Intermediate Acting3
THTR 391Stage Managing and Directing Theatre3
THTR 405Dramatic Theory and Criticism3
THTR 409Production Practicum IV1
THTR 468Drama for Christian Ministry3
Elective Courses: Select 12 credits from the following (6 lower-division, 6 upper-division) 112
THTR 162
Voice and Speech for the Actor
THTR 215
Makeup for Stage and Screen
THTR 216
Topics in Theatre
THTR 232
Costume Study and Construction
THTR 345
Lighting and Sound for Theatre
THTR 362
Movement for the Actor
THTR 410
Advanced Topics in Theatre
THTR 419
Dramatic Design
THTR 435
Playwriting for Performance
THTR 463
Advanced Acting Workshop
THTR 477
London Theatre Study Tour
COMM 470
Communication Seminar
Total Credits44

Theatre Design and Technology

Students may choose a concentration in Production with the completion of 44 credits. 

Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses
THTR 160
Theatre Appreciation
COMM 200
The Rhetorical Act
PSYC 200
Introduction to Psychology (Recommended)
PHIL 216
Introduction to Philosophy and Aesthetics (Recommended)
Concentration Courses
THTR 109Production Practicum1
THTR 110Theatre History I3
THTR 209Production Practicum II1
THTR 215Makeup for Stage and Screen3
THTR 232Costume Study and Construction3
THTR 241Intro to Technical Theatre4
THTR 309Production Practicum III1
THTR 345Lighting and Sound for Theatre3
THTR 350Theatre History II3
THTR 353Textual Analysis3
THTR 391Stage Managing and Directing Theatre3
THTR 405Dramatic Theory and Criticism3
THTR 409Production Practicum IV1
THTR 419Dramatic Design3
Elective Courses: Select 9 credits from the following (3 lower-division, 6 upper-division) 19
THTR 216
Topics in Theatre
THTR 264
Beginning Acting
THTR 369
Intermediate Acting
THTR 410
Advanced Topics in Theatre
THTR 435
Playwriting for Performance
THTR 463
Advanced Acting Workshop
THTR 477
London Theatre Study Tour
COMM 470
Communication Seminar
Total Credits44

NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.

Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.

See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.

Theatre, B.A. Acting for Stage and Screen (COSS)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 103 or 1653
THTR 160 (required)3BBST 209 or 2103
ENGL 100 or 1123COMM 200 (required)3
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4
THTR 1623HIST 100 or 1013
GNST 1021KNES 1071
 17 17
Total Credits 34
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CNMA 1043BBST 209 or 2103
THTR 1103THTR 1121
THTR 2643THTR 3503
PHIL 216 (required)3THTR 3693
Science (see Core Curriculum)3PSYC 200 (required)3
MATH 1211MATH 1221
 KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1
 16 15
Total Credits 31
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 2513BBST 3543
BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3THTR 3121
THTR 2121THTR 3623
THTR 3603THTR 4603
THTR 4633ENGL 3133
HIST 200, 201, or POSC 2253MATH 1231
Writing Competency RequirementGraduation Petition due in Registrar's Office
 16 14
Total Credits 30
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 3653BBST 4653
THTR 2414BBST 306, 316, or 3263
THTR 3533Theatre Elective (upper-division)13
THTR 4121Theatre Elective (upper-division)13
Theatre Elective (lower-division)13 
ENGL 220 (required)3 
 17 12
Total Credits 29

Theatre, B.A. Musical Theatre (THMT)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 103 or 1653
THTR 160 (required)3BBST 209 or 2103
ENGL 100 or 1123COMM 200 (required)3
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4
THTR 1623HIST 100 or 1013
GNST 1021MUSC 1451
MUSC 1451 
 18 17
Total Credits 35
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 2513BBST 209 or 2103
THTR 1103THTR 1121
THTR 2643THTR 3503
PHIL 216 (required)3THTR 3693
Science (see Core Curriculum)3PSYC 200 (required)3
MATH 1211MATH 1221
MUSC 1451KNES 1071
 MUSC 1451
 MUSC 1542
 17 18
Total Credits 35
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3BBST 3543
HIST 200, 201, or POSC 2253ENGL 3133
THTR 4633MATH 1231
THTR Elective (lower-division)13THTR 3121
MUSC 4451THTR 3623
MUSC 0021MUSC 1532
Writing Competency RequirementMUSC 4451
 Graduation Petition due in Registrar's Office
 14 14
Total Credits 28
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 306, 316, or 3263BBST 4653
BBST 3653THTR 4121
Literature (see Core Curriculum)3THTR 3203
THTR 2414Theatre Elective (upper-division)13
THTR 3533KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1
MUSC 4451MUSC 4451
 17 12
Total Credits 29

Theatre, B.A. Production (THPD)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 103 or 1653
THTR 160 (required)3BBST 209 or 2103
ENGL 100 or 1123COMM 200 (required)3
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4
KNES 1071HIST 100 or 1013
GNST 1021 
 15 16
Total Credits 31
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 2513BBST 209 or 2103
THTR 1091Behavioral Science (see Core Curriculum)3
THTR 1103MATH 1221
THTR 2643THTR 2091
PHIL 216 (recommended Phil Core Curr)3THTR 3693
Science (see Core Curriculum)3Theatre Elective13
MATH 1211KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1
 17 15
Total Credits 32
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3BBST 3543
THTR 3091THTR 4091
THTR 4683Theatre Elective13
Theatre Elective (upper-division)13Theatre Elective (upper-division) 13
HIST 200, 201, or POSC 2253ENGL 3133
Writing Competency RequirementMATH 1231
 Graduation Petition due in Registrar's Office
 13 14
Total Credits 27
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 3653BBST 4653
THTR 2414BBST 306, 316, or 3263
THTR 3533THTR 3503
Literature (see Core Curriculum)3THTR 3913
General Elective2THTR 4053
 15 15
Total Credits 30

Theatre, B.A. Theatre Design and Technology (THDT)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 103 or 1653
THTR 160 (required)3BBST 209 or 2103
ENGL 100 or 1123COMM 200 (required)3
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4
KNES 1071HIST 100 or 1013
GNST 1021 
 15 16
Total Credits 31
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 306, 316, or 3263BBST 209 or 2103
BBST 2513THTR 2091
THTR 1091THTR 2153
THTR 2414PSYC 200 (required)3
PHIL 216 (Recommended)3MATH 1221
Science (see Core Curriculum)3KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1
MATH 1211General Elective2
 18 14
Total Credits 32
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3BBST 3543
HIST 200, 201, or POSC 2253ENGL 3133
THTR 2323MATH 1231
Theatre Elective13THTR 3091
Writing Competency RequirementTHTR 3453
 Theatre Elective (upper-division)13
 Graduation Petition due in Registrar's Office
 12 14
Total Credits 26
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Literature (see Core Curriculum)3BBST 3653
Theatre Elective (upper-division)13BBST 4653
THTR 1103THTR 3503
THTR 3533THTR 3913
THTR 4091THTR 4053
 THTR 4193
 13 18
Total Credits 31