General Program Requirements:

Number of credits required beyond the Baccalaureate: 60

Required Courses:

* Consult with the program director to ensure selection of an appropriate film course.

** Consult with the program director to ensure selection of appropriate electives.

Practical Application (in addition to coursework):

First Year/Fall Term: Practical focus is on the short scene (5-10 minutes). Three scenes are presented to the department with a focus primarily on contemporary realism.

First Year/Spring Term: Continued practical focus is on directing scenes from acknowledged 20th-century classics.

Second Year/Fall Term: Practical focus is on Shakespeare, culminating in the presentation of a Shakespeare scene project.

Second Year/Spring Term: Practical focus is on scene work from a variety of non-realistic genres and styles, including the study of comedy.

Second Year: Potential opportunity exists to direct a minimally supported full-length production during one of the terms.

Third Year/Fall Term: Practical focus is on new work, including self-created ensemble-based work.

Third Year/Spring Term: Practical focus is on the serial television project as well as musical theater.

One fully supported thesis project is produced in the main season during the third year. This is accompanied by a detailed, comprehensive written thesis, which includes an account of the research and script analysis that preceded the rehearsal process, a director’s rehearsal log, and the student's evaluation of the production. The student meets with appropriate faculty after the production has closed for discussion and evaluation of both the process and the production. Faculty members look systematically at all aspects of the theater production and evaluate the student in terms of what was attempted and what was achieved. Theatrical concept, unity of design and stylistic approach, the visual and aural components of storytelling, and ensemble work of the actors are evaluated from the point of view of directing, acting and design.