Theatre

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 16.3 k / Semester(s) Deadline: Feb 15, 2025
StudyQA ranking:3722 Duration:48 months

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Description

Suffolk has trained hundreds of gifted storytellers—from successful actors to the producers, designers, directors, and technicians who work magic behind the curtain. Suffolk’s C. Walsh and Modern theatres are considered Theatre District landmarks, and student productions at these theaters attract citywide attention from the arts community and the media. Our current Distinguished Scholar in Residence is Robert Brustein, founding artistic director of the American Repertory Theatre.

About the Program

The theatre major at Suffolk is immersive. Unlike audition-only majors, our program lets you participate in student productions from day one. In fact, all students are required to perform twice and work twice behind the scenes before graduation. You’ll receive practical training at theatres nearby, including with our partners at the Boston Music Theatre and the National Theatre of Allston. You’ll also have the chance to work with professional groups at our renowned Modern Theatre, home to many popular Boston productions. Ultimately, in this hands-on program, you’ll absorb the canon of great theatrical works – and find your voice as an actor, writer, director, or designer.

You’ll receive either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in theatre, depending on your interests. Our areas of focus include:

  • Performance

  • Musical Theatre

  • Directing

  • Playwriting

  • Technical Theatre and Design

  • Stage Management

  • Arts Management

About Our Facilities

We’re home to three extraordinary performing spaces, which also function as your classrooms. In 2010, we reopened the Modern Theatre, originally built in 1914. This historically significant, 185-seat theatre stages well-publicized productions each year, attracting actors from around the world. At 399 seats, C. Walsh Theatre is our largest space; it’s managed by the Theatre Department and was renovated in 2007. The 50-seat Studio Theatre is our laboratory space, where you’ll take hands-on courses in playwriting, performance, tech, management, and more.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline February 15, 2015 Tuition fee
  • USD 16265 Semester (EEA)

Full-time: 12-17 credits per semester $16,265

Start date September 2015 Credits 126 credits

Students must complete a minimum of 126 credits for graduation.

Duration full-time 48 months Languages Take an IELTS test
  • English
Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time

Course Content

Students must complete a minimum of 126 credits for graduation.

Major Requirements: 12 courses, 48 credits, plus 4 Practicum Courses

Core Requirements

  • THETR-129 Acting

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    This introduction to acting prepares students for work in production and develops skills in all forms of communication. The first part of the course uses improvisational exercises based on the Stanislavski method to teach fundamental acting techniques. The second half of the course applies those techniques to scene work from major 20th century plays. This course is a core requirement for all Theatre Majors.

    Term:

    Offered Both Fall and Spring

  • THETR-187 Intro to Stage Management

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    This course will teach both the methods and principles behind stage management demonstrating how to support a production while facilitating the work of directors, designers, and actors. In addition to teaching the specific technical skills necessary to each part of the production process, this course will also address the more subtle intellectual and managerial skills that make stage management an art. Satisfies a core requirement for Theatre majors.

    Term:

    Offered Fall Term

  • THETR-191 The Freshman Experience

    Prerequisites:

    Theatre Majors and minors only.

    Credits:

    1.00

    Description:

    This course helps orient Theatre Department Freshmen to university life while presenting them with practical information about the department. Topics will include production practicum, student showcases, auditioning, advising, capstone projects, internships and study abroad opportunities. Theatre professors, staff, and visiting professionals come to classes to discuss their areas of expertise. Students are made aware of arts activities on campus and in the city of Boston for which weekly journals are required. A script and performance of at least one play in Boston will be studied.

  • THETR-291 Professional Development

    Prerequisites:

    Theatre majors or minors only.

    Credits:

    1.00

    Description:

    This course is designed to give you the tools to plan for and support your career path after graduation. Activities include audition/resume/ cover-letter workshops; interviewing techniques; dressing for success; networking; identifying your personal brand; professional internships; and deciding whether graduate school is right for you. Master classes with professional theatre artists and field trips to professional theatres will also be included.

  • THETR-488 Professional Internships

    Prerequisites:

    instructor's consent and internship availability required

    Credits:

    1.00- 4.00

    Description:

    This course provides students with the opportunity to receive credit for their work on an approved internship assignment in the professional performing and visual art world. At the successful completion of the internship, students will be required to submit a written analysis of their experience as well as a journal documenting the daily events of their project. Professional internships are difficult to secure. Interested students are advised to contact members of the Theatre Department faculty at least one semester in advance to facilitate this opportunity.

    Term:

    Offered Both Fall and Spring

Choose three of the following courses:

  • THETR-260 Broadway Musicals

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    This course is a survey of American musical theatre from its roots in the mid-19th century to the present. It provides the analytical tools and historical insight to more fully appreciate Broadway's greatest musicals and musical theatre artists. Students will explore the ways in which American forms of popular entertainment helped to shape Broadway musicals from their infancy through their adulthood. The course also explores the ways in which musicals provided opportunities for African-Americans, women, immigrants, and the GLBT community.

    Term:

    Offered Fall Term

    Type:

    Humanities & History,Cultural Diversity Opt A,Humanities Literature Requirement

  • THETR-265 Introduction to Theatre: Prehistory to Melodrama

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    This survey course provides students with an historical, philosophical, and aesthetic overview of theatre practices from the Golden Age of Greek drama to 19th-century melodrama and early experiments in realism. Through readings, lectures, and discussions, the class will explore the theatre's persistent capacity to mirror the societies that produce it. Satisfies a core requirement for Theatre majors and the Humanities requirement. Normally offered alternate years.

    Term:

    Occasional

    Type:

    Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement

  • THETR-266 Intro to Theatre: 20th Century

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    Picking up chronologically where THETR 225 leaves off, this survey course is designed to provide students with an understanding of modern Western theatre. Beginning with a melodrama, plays will include representative works of realism, naturalism, expressionism, epic theatre, theatre of cruelty, theatre of the absurd, and metatheatricality. Lectures and class discussions will explore how these concepts translate to acting and production techniques as well as what they imply as artistic responses to a modern and post-modern world. Satisfies a core requirement for Theatre Majors.

    Term:

    Offered Spring Term

    Type:

    Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement

  • THETR-267 Introduction to Theatre: Contemporary American

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    This course provides a formal introduction to the theories and practices strategically used by American theatre artists after the Second World War. Special emphasis is placed on theatre artists exploring issues of cultural identity including works by GLBT, African-American, Asian-American, and Latin American playwrights. These playwrights may include Tony Kushner, Paula Vogel, Suzan-Lori Parks, Adrienne Kennedy, August Wilson, David Henry Hwang, Philip Kan Gotanda, Eduardo Machado, and Melinda Lopez. The course will also provide an introduction to trends in post-modern theatre practices related to emerging work of the auteur director, solo performers, and interdisciplinary collectives. Satisfies a core requirement for Theatre majors. Normally offered alternate years.

    Term:

    Occasional

    Type:

    Humanities & History,Cultural Diversity Opt A,Humanities Literature Requirement

Choose one of the following courses:

  • THETR-151 Introduction to Design

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    This rigorous class will give students the fundamental concepts, vocabulary and skills used to design for the stage such as: color, line, composition, research and script analysis. The class has a written component and is intended to prepare students to design workshop productions in the Studio Theatre. Students will be expected to complete a minimum of ten hours of production work for Theatre Department productions.

    Term:

    Offered Spring Term

  • THETR-152 Introduction to Stagecraft

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    This rigorous survey class will give students the fundamental concepts, vocabulary, and skill to implement basic scenery, lighting, costuming, props and sound. The class is intended to prepare students as technical support for workshop productions in the Studio Theatre. There is a written component and students will be expected to complete a minimum of ten hours of technical work on Theatre Department productions.

    Term:

    Offered Fall Term

Choose one of the following courses:

  • THETR-351 Set Design

    Prerequisites:

    Take THETR-237 THETR-250 or THETR-251; or instructor's consent

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    This is a studio course exploring the process of interpreting dramatic scripts in visual, three-dimensional ways. Projects will include abstract visual responses, group installations, enacting texts, visual research and textual analyses as well as ground plans and models for sets. Students will need a variety of painting and drawing supplies and equipment. A willingness to think beyond the box set to discover vital ways to shape a production is essential.

    Term:

    Offered Spring Term

    Type:

    Humanities & History,Humanities Literature Requirement

  • THETR-359 Lighting Design

    Prerequisites:

    Take THETR-187 THETR-152 or THETR-151; or instructor's consent

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    Students will explore the basic process of lighting design for the theatre through hands-on, practical experience, conceptual work, and a study of the history of lighting design. The course will focus on common vocabularies, descriptions of imageries from text, physical forms of design expression and general approach. In addition, students will learn basic skills in electrics to support the design process. Sample assignments might include written critiques of local productions, design approach statements with lighting research, lighted one act plays in the Studio Theatre, and lighting set models. Normally offered alternate years.

    Term:

    Occasional

  • THETR-433 Advanced Singing for the Stage: Broadway Musicals Today

    Prerequisites:

    Instructor's consent required

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    Focusing on musicals written from the 1990-the present e.g. Next to Normal, The Last Five Years, and Spring Awakening, this advanced studio course provides students with an integrated approach to singing and stage performance. The fast-paced tempo of the class will encourage students to build on their previous training and experience and to become increasingly independent as they prepare for auditions and performance work beyond the university. Private vocal coaching and acting coaching will be scheduled outside of class. Students will be expected to prepare selected solos or duets and learn additional choreographed group numbers which will be presented at the end of the term for a public performance.

    Term:

    Occasional

  • THETR-461 Play Analysis

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    This seminar course examines Shakespeare's plays and their modern correlatives. (i.e. Hamlet and The Seagull, King Lear and Endgame) Students read the texts out loud in class examining the meaning, action, objective, and philosophical and historical contexts with the professor. The goal is to get closer to the original intentions of the author and determine not only the basic theme and character relationships, but the kind of mind that could create such a play. In analyzing a modern play students also examine the impact of Shakespeare's mind on future playwrights. There will be a midterm paper and a final exam.

    Term:

    Offered Fall Term

  • THETR-475 Directing II

    Prerequisites:

    THETR-375 or instructor's consent

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    Directing II focuses on the development of an individual directorial point of view and explores a variety of theoretical and applied approaches to cultivating interpretive skills. The course also examines how the director reconciles traditional theatrical conventions and techniques with the ability to create fresh, innovative and personal results. Students will stage weekly theatrical responses to class readings in addition to creating a fully-realized final directing project.

    Term:

    Offered Spring Term

  • THETR-477 Playwriting II

    Prerequisites:

    THETR-377 or instructor's consent

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    Playwriting II is a continuation, deepening and thickening of the principles learned in Playwriting I. A course designed for dedicated writers, students are expected to explore a wide variety of playwriting challenges, skills and techniques. Student works will be regularly shared and discussed in class. Students will also be assigned plays by recognized playwrights to discuss and analyze in class. Playwriting II students are encouraged to participate in PlayDay!", an annual reading of new student-written plays. Normally offered alternate years.

    Term:

    Occasional

Choose one of the following courses:

  • THETR-233 Introduction to Singing for the Stage: Classic Musical Comedies

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    Focusing on classic musical comedies from 1910-1950 e.g. Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate, and Guys and Dolls this skills-based studio course introduces students to an integrated approach to singing and stage performance. Students will learn the fundamentals of vocal technique which includes targeted vocal warm-ups and relaxation exercises in addition to the basics of breath support, placement, and phrasing. Students will also learn how to analyze musicals for their dramatic potential in order to make their performances more believable to an audience. Several classes will be devoted to audition preparation. Private vocal coaching and acting coaching will be scheduled outside of class. Students will work on assigned songs, duets, and choreographed group numbers which will be presented at the end of the term for an invited audience.

    Term:

    Occasional

  • THETR-322 Acting for the Camera

    Prerequisites:

    THETR-129 or instructor's consent

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    This course gives students an understanding of the acting challenges unique to film, television, and commercial acting and helps them develop an effective process for on-camera performance. The material in this class is drawn from various media as well as from students' own research and writing. Class exercises and presentations are video taped, viewed, and critiqued by the students and the instructor as students grow and learn. Students also become familiar with the language and demands of professional production as well as how the technical process affects their performance.

    Term:

    Offered Fall Term

  • THETR-323 Audition Training

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    Learning how to prepare for effective auditions is essential training for anyone who wishes to be cast in theatre productions. This studio course will provide practical guidelines and useful strategies to help students be at their best during the always competitive audition process. Over the course of the term students will not only prepare to participate confidently in professional and non-professional auditions, but learn to enjoy the journey as well.

    Term:

    Offered Fall Term

  • THETR-329 Acting II

    Prerequisites:

    THETR 229 or instructor's consent

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    A continuation of Acting I with special emphasis on verse and heightened language. Students will explore acting Shakespeare and other classical plays and will rehearse and perform short projects. Students will also learn to think, read and write about classical performance.

    Term:

    Offered Fall Term

  • THETR-333 Singing for the Stage: Rock, Pop, & Progressive

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    Focusing on classic rock, pop, and progressive musicals from the 1970s-1990s, e.g. A Chorus Line, Chicago, and Into the Woods this studio course provides students with an integrated approach to singing and stage performance. Students will learn the fundamentals of vocal technique which includes targeted vocal warm-ups and relaxation exercises in addition to the basics of breath support, placement, and phrasing. Students will learn how to analyze musicals for their dramatic potential in order to make their performances more believable to an audience. They will also be introduced to basic music theory and how to plunk out notes on a piano - skills that will make them more independent and confident performers. Several classes will be devoted to audition preparation. Private vocal coaching and acting coaching will be scheduled outside of class. Assigned solos and choreographed group numbers will be presented weekly in class and at the end of the term in a recital for an invited audience.

    Term:

    Occasional

  • THETR-334 Singing for the Stage: Musicals From the Golden Age

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    Focusing on classic musicals from 1950-1970 e.g., Pajama Game, Fiddler on the Roof, and Cabaret, this skills-based studio course exposes students to an integrated approach to singing and stage performance. Students will learn the fundamentals of vocal technique which includes targeted vocal warm-ups and relaxation exercises in addition to the basics of breath support, placement, and phrasing. Students will also learn how to analyze musicals for their dramatic potential in order to make their performances more believable to an audience. Several classes will be devoted to audition preparation. Private vocal coaching and acting coaching will be scheduled outside of class. All students will work on assigned songs and choreographed group numbers which will be presented at the end of the term for an invited audience.

    Term:

    Occasional

  • THETR-421 Combat, Clown and Characters

    Prerequisites:

    THETR-201 OR THETR-229 or instructor's consent

    Credits:

    4.00

    Description:

    Students compliment their practical theatre training with a wide range of physical and vocal skills. This three part class focuses on the art of creating a clown, the ability to safely build and execute a stage fight, and special work on creating a three dimensional character for the stage. Normally offered alternate years.

    Term:

    Occasional

Production Practicum Requirement

All Theatre majors are required to have two Theatre department performance and two Theatre department production experiences.

Note: All students must complete at least one practicum for credit to complete the ECR requirement. THETR-100 and THETR-102 are offered for no credit; THETR-200 and THETR-202 are offered for credit.

  • THETR-100 Theatre Practicum: Performance

    Prerequisites:

    This is a no credit course.

    Credits:

    0.00

    Description:

    A non-credit course to satisfy the Theatre practicum requirement for theatre majors and minors. Students should register for this course when participating in Theatre Department performance activities such as acting, directing, playwriting, dramaturgy, choreography, or stage management may. May be taken more than once.

    Term:

    Offered Both Fall and Spring

  • THETR-200 Theatre Practicum: Performance

    Prerequisites:

    Theatre majors or minors or instructor's consent

    Credits:

    1.00- 8.00

    Description:

    This course offers flexible credit for a wide range of production work in the Theatre Department determined by the challenge and time commitment of the assignment. Students should register for this course when participating in Theatre Department performance activities such as acting, directing, playwriting, dramaturgy, choreography, or stage management may. Written work includes a production log signed by the supervisor and a narrative journal. This course also satisfies the Theatre requirement for Theatre majors and minors. May be taken more than once. ECR

    Term:

    Offered Both Fall and Spring

    Type:

    Expanded Classroom Requirement

  • THETR-102 Theatre Practicum: Production

    Prerequisites:

    This is a no credit course.

    Credits:

    0.00

    Description:

    A non-credit course to satisfy the Theatre practicum requirement for theatre majors and minors. Students should register for this course when participating in Theatre Department production activities such as design or assistant design, load-in or run crews, board operators, carpenters, electricians, stitchers and painters. May be taken more than once.

    Term:

    Offered Both Fall and Spring

  • THETR-202 Theatre Practicum: Production

English Language Requirements

TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test : 77

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

Requirements

We do not use specific minimums for scores or grades in the decision process, but weigh all factors together to gain a whole view of you and your potential for success as a Suffolk University student:

  • Level and range of high school courses selected
  • Grades achieved (official high school transcript with senior year grades)
  • SAT or ACT scores (our code is 3771)
  • Recommendations (two required; one from a guidance counselor, one from a teacher)
  • The essay
  • Other required forms
  • Admission interview (optional)
  • Transfer students should view the transfer requirements page for more details.

In high school, you should have completed:

  • Four units of English
  • Three units of mathematics (algebra I and II and geometry)
  • Two units of science (at least one with a lab)
  • Two units of language
  • One unit of American history
  • Four units distributed among other college preparatory electives

We may also consider other factors in the review process, such as:

  • Class rank
  • Honors courses
  • AP courses

We are also very interested in personal qualities that will offer us further insights into you as an applicant, including:

  • Admission interview
  • Extracurricular involvement
  • Community service
  • Special interests

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

  • Academic Excellence Scholarship

    "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

  • Alumni Study Travel Fund

    Scholarships for students who are already attending the University of Reading.

  • Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

    The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than Suffolk University.

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