2026-2027 Course Catalog
Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/faa/theatre-bfa/theatre-studies/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Theatre Studies Concentration
Theatre Studies Program
The theatre studies concentration focuses on the practical applications of theatre and explores theatrical productions as a collaborative art form that is grounded in practice, theory, criticism, history, research and writing. The theatre studies concentration is intended to lay the foundation for students planning to pursue professional careers in the areas of theatre for which advanced training or specialization at the graduate level is normally required. These areas include, but are not limited to: directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, arts management, social issues theatre and theatre history and criticism. Emphasis is given to a comprehensive study of theatre practices of the past, participation in theatre practices of the present and the discovery and development of theatre practices for the future.
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Theatre Studies Concentration
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours.\ Twelve hours of 300 and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | fulfilled by THEA 304 | | | | Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by THEA 122 & THEA 208 | | | | Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 | | Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-15 |
Core Requirements for all Theatre Majors
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | FAA 101 | Arts at Illinois | 1 | | THEA 100 | Practicum I | 2 | | THEA 200 | Practicum II | 2 | | THEA 121 | Theatre Foundations: Performance | 3 | | THEA 122 | Theatre Foundations: Theory and Practice | 3 | | THEA 123 | Theatre Foundations: Production | 3 | | THEA 208 | 21st Century Dramaturgy | 3 | | THEA 304 | Global Theatre Performance | 3 | | THEA 364 | Topics in Theatre History | 3 | | THEA 404 | Professional Career Development | 1 | | Total Hours | | 24 |
Theatre Studies Concentration
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | THEA 175 | Acting 2 | 3 | | THEA 211 | Introduction to Playwriting | 3 | | THEA 212 | Introduction to Directing | 3 | | THEA 220 | Survey of Theatrical Design | 3 | | THEA 391 | Individual Topics | 2 | | THEA 392 | Individual Topics | 2 | | THEA 400 | Practicum IV | 3 | | Choose 3 credit hours: | | 3 | | THEA 218 | Intro to Social Issues Theatre | | | THEA 270 | Acting 3 | | | Other 200-level Theatre course (THEA) | | | | Choose 6 credit hours: | | 6 | | THEA 410 | Dramaturgs Workshop | | | THEA 411 | Playwrights' Workshop | | | THEA 412 | Directors Workshop | | | Choose 12 credit hours: | | 12 | | Any 300 or 400 level Theatre courses (THEA) | | | | Supporting Professional Electives: theatre (THEA), dance (DANC) or music (MUS, MUSC) courses, or other courses as approved by Theatre advisor | | 9 | | Total Hours | | 49 |
General Non-Theatre Electives
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | General Non-Theatre Electives | | 9 |
Summary of Credits for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, concentration in Theatre Studies
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | General Education Requirements | | | | Core Requirements for All Theatre Majors | | 24 | | Theatre Studies Concentration Requirements | | 49 | | General Non-Theatre Electives | | 9 | | Free Electives as needed to total 128 hours | | | | Total Credits for BFA in Theatre, concentration in Theatre Studies | | 128 |
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Theatre Studies Concentration
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| THEA 100 | 1 |
| THEA 121 | 2 |
| Composition I or Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| FAA 101 | 1 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 14 | |
| Total Hours 14 |
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| THEA 100 | 1 |
| THEA 122 | 3 |
| Composition I or Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 17 | |
| Total Hours 17 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| THEA 200 | 1 |
| THEA 123 | 3 |
| THEA 175 | 3 |
| THEA 208 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| THEA 200 | 1 |
| THEA 218 or 270 (or other 200-level THEA course) | 3 |
| Supporting Professional Elective | 3 |
| General Non-Theatre Elective | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| THEA 211 | 3 |
| THEA 304 | 3 |
| 300 or 400 level Theatre course | 3 |
| Supporting Professional Elective | 3 |
| General Non-Theatre Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| 17 | |
| Total Hours 17 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| THEA 364 | 3 |
| Supporting Professional Elective | 3 |
| THEA 212 | 3 |
| THEA 400 | 1 |
| 300 or 400 level Theatre course | 3 |
| General Non-Theatre Elective | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| THEA 404 | 1 |
| 300 or 400 level Theatre course | 3 |
| THEA 400 | 1 |
| THEA 220 | 3 |
| THEA 391 | 2 |
| THEA 410, 411, or 412 | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| 300 or 400 level Theatre course | 3 |
| THEA 400 | 1 |
| THEA 410, 411, or 412 | 3 |
| THEA 392 | 2 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
Total Hours: 128
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Theatre Studies Concentration
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrates a mature, effective ability to analyze, interpret, write critically and creatively, and discuss thoughtfully in the field of theatre and performance.
- Demonstrates ability to actively engage in the collaborative process in preparation, construction, and performance of works for the stage. Demonstrates comprehension of theory and application of practices in areas of emphasis through production related activities.
- Demonstrates necessary skills and knowledge to acquire an entry-level position in the theatre showing the capacity to work and solve problems independently and with initiative (demonstrated through participation in a professional internship).
- Demonstrates practical application of learned methodologies including the ability to communicate ideas, concepts, and outcomes of creative research (demonstrated in public presentation of a senior thesis project).
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Theatre Studies Concentration
Theatre
Theatre Department website\ Theatre Department faculty\ 4-122 Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801\ (217) 333-2371\ theatre@illinois.edu
College of Fine & Applied Arts
Admissions
Overview of the College of Fine & Applied Arts Admissions & Requirements\ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions\ admissions@illinois.edu