Undergraduate Programs
Theater BA and BFA
The School of Theater offers BA and BFA degrees and prepares students for graduate study or entry into the profession through rigorous, concentrated, and individualized training; however, students are encouraged to maintain wide-ranging interests within the school and throughout the university’s extensive offerings. Theater majors organize their advanced work within the major to include classes in areas of emphasis including performance, design and technical theater, and other theater studies.
Theater BA Concentrations
Theater majors must choose to complete their Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in one of the following areas: Design and Technical Theater, Performance (Acting and Directing), Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12, or Theater Studies. Students must earn a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA to complete a BA with a concentration.
Certification for Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12
The Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12 concentration is approved by the Virginia State Department of Education and administered through the College of Education and Human Development, which is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Upon degree conferral and completion of all requirements, students may be eligible to apply for Virginia State Licensure. Minimum scores on the Praxis Core and VCLA tests must be achieved before state licensure is granted.
Students must be formally accepted into the Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12 concentration.
Theater BFA Concentrations
In addition to the Mason Core requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, students in the Theater BFA must complete a minimum of 76 credits in the major: 46 credits of required core courses and 30 credits in a concentration. Concentrations are: Design for Stage and Screen, Musical Theater Performance, and Performance for Stage and Screen (Acting and Directing). All students pursuing a BFA in Theater must earn a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA for graduation.
Graduate Programs
Accelerated Master’s Program
The School of Theater offers a Theater, BA/Arts Management, Accelerated MA option which allows undergraduate students to take graduate classes that can be used towards a designated Master’s degree. Undergraduates who wish to pursue the accelerated Master’s route should talk to their academic advisor first to see if they qualify. Students must be within 75-90 credits of their Bachelor’s program to be eligible to apply; those who have earned more than 90 credits will not be considered. Students must be approved by their academic advisor and formally apply and be accepted to the Master’s program through an Accelerated Master’s application. For more information about admissions requirements and the application process, students should visit the college website.
Visual and Performing Arts, MFA
The School of Theater offers one concentration under the Master of Fine Arts, Visual and Performing Arts degree: Theater. Applicants to the program must designate which concentration they intend to apply for on the application. Each concentration has its own unique set of admissions requirements and program requirements.
School Faculty
Professors
Davis, McDonald
Associate Professors
Elston (Director), Gero, Johnsen-Neshati
Assistant Professor
Janis, Moijgani, Sivigny
Administrative Faculty (Instructional)
Lechter, Murray
Adjunct Faculty
Alman, Cadby, Dunayer, Gaines, Gardner, Hart, Kessinger, Lee, Lennon, Male, Messegee, Nanni-Messegee, Ohanian, Robinson Jr., Van Slyke, Walsh, Yamamoto
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Admission to George Mason University requires application through Mason’s Admissions Office. Entrance into all Theater programs is by interview and audition or portfolio review. Information about the audition, portfolio review and interview process, including dates, can be found at the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Please note that these are two separate processes.
Interviews will be conducted by appointment and candidates must prepare an appropriate resume.
Contact the School of Theater to schedule your interview. Students who audition or present a portfolio at theater conferences (i.e. Virginia Theatre Association, Southeastern Theater Conference, etc.) before or after applying to Mason are required to attend a separate interview on campus.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated writing-intensive in their major at the 300 level or above. Students seeking a BA or BFA in theater fulfill this requirement by successfully completing THR 350 Script Analysis or THR 482 Advanced Screenplay Workshop.
Production Requirements
Participation in Theater at Mason productions is expected of all declared majors. Students must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA to participate in Theater at Mason productions.
Students must also earn four (4) practicum credits, one (1) credit for satisfactory completion (a minimum of 30 hours) of each of four (4) performance and production assignments in the major, including faculty or guest-directed Mason Players Mainstage, and student-directed Studio productions.
All freshmen, first year transfer, and new Theater majors must register for THR 198 Theatrical Construction Practicum and THR 199 Production Run Crew Practicum during their first academic year.
Assignments for THR 196 Performance or Design Practicum and THR 197 Stage or Literary Practicum will include a presentation of portfolio documents demonstrating a practical analysis of the role, design, or support position to subject area mentors.
- THR 196 Performance or Design Practicum assignments include actor, designer, assistant designer, stage manager, and assistant stage manager.
- THR 197 Stage or Literary Practicum assignments include director, assistant director, dramaturg, master electrician, technical director, playwright, house management, and publicity.
- THR 198 Theatrical Construction Practicum assignments include scenery construction and painting, costume construction, electrician, and props.
- THR 199 Production Run Crew Practicum assignments include stage crew, light board operator, sound board operator, wardrobe, and fly crew.
Unless registered for a Theater course approved as directly connected to production (i.e. THR 196 Performance or Design Practicum, THR 197 Stage or Literary Practicum, THR 198 Theatrical Construction Practicum, THR 199 Production Run Crew Practicum, THR 492 Studio Project or THR 495 Senior Capstone Project) all students (including non-Theater majors) electing to participate in a Theater at Mason production must register for THR 200 Play Production Practicum concurrent with participation.
Theater Honors Program
See the Theater, BA or Theater, BFA for specific details.
Policies
BA/BFA Policies
Students seeking to earn a BA or BFA as a second bachelor’s degree, either concurrently or sequentially, must complete all theater degree requirements. Students must earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in their major. A student must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to complete a BA with a concentration or a BFA.
Theater (THR)
100 Level Courses
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
200 Level Courses
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
300 Level Courses
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Arts Management, Art and Visual Technology, Dance, Film and Video Studies, Computer Game Design, Music or Theatre.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
400 Level Courses
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: THR 310C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Theatre.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: THR 320C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: (THR 310C).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Theatre.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Students with a class of Freshman or Sophomore may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Theatre.
Enrollment limited to students in a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
500 Level Courses
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Special scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Theatre.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
600 Level Courses
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Special scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Special scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
700 Level Courses
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Special scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Special scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Special scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.