Undergraduate Programs
Theater BA and BFA
The School of Theater offers Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (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 complete their Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in one of the following areas: Design and Technical Theater, Performance, Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12, or Theater Studies. Bachelor of Arts students must use some/all general electives to complete a minor, double major, double degree or intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language.
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 will 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
Theater majors must complete their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in one of the following areas: Design for Stage and Screen, Performance for Stage and Screen, or Musical Theater Performance.
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 are eligible to apply for this accelerated program once they have earned at least 60 undergraduate credits toward their Bachelor’s degree and may take up to 18 credits of graduate coursework after successfully completing 75 undergraduate credits. Students who have earned more than 100 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.
Graduate Certificate
Teaching Theatre PK-12 Graduate Certificate
The Teaching Theater PK–12 Graduate Certificate is a pre-service program that prepares students for Theatre Arts licensure by the Commonwealth of Virginia. In conjunction with the College of Education and Human Development, the Certificate curriculum consists of graduate-level Theater and Education courses, field experience observation and pre-service teaching internship.
School Faculty
Professors
Branner, Davis, Gero, Johnsen-Neshati, Kurtz (Emeritus), McDonald
Associate Professors
Alman, Dunayer
Assistant Professors
Gardiner, Janis, Moijgani, Sivigny, Walsh
Administrative Faculty (Instructional)
Horner, Lechter
Adjunct Faculty
Armstrong, Brassard, Cox, Dahm, El-Bayoumi, Gaines, Goldstein, Hobson, Kessinger, Lee, Lennon, Maaty, Ohanian, Pacheco, Robinson Jr., Schmidt, Sittig, Yamamoto
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Entrance to the program is by audition/interview or portfolio review. Information about the audition process, including dates, can be found on the School of Theater website. Admission to the university is determined by the Office of Admissions.
Program Audition, Portfolio Requirements
Students interview with a faculty panel in order to apply to become a Theater major. Additionally, actors audition for the program; designers and technicians undergo a portfolio review (B.A. candidates may opt to submit an essay); generalists, theater educators, and writers provide written statements as described on the School of Theater website. See additional details on the College of Visual & Performing Arts Admissions page.
We are looking for:
- An appropriate level of craft and artistry.
- Commitment to the work as demonstrated by preparation for the interview, audition, and/or portfolio review.
- A willingness to accept direction, criticism and mentoring.
- A willingness and ability to collaborate with students, faculty, and professionals.
Students must schedule their audition or interview through SlideRoom. Additional details can be found on the College of Visual & Performing Arts Admissions page. You will receive an email confirmation of your program audition or portfolio review date.
If you have any questions, please contact the School of Theater. An applicant may request a virtual appointment during business hours. In person Theater major program auditions, portfolio reviews, and interviews will take place within the School of Theater on the Fairfax 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, THR 482 Advanced Screenplay Workshop or THR 351 Dramatic Theory and Criticism.
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.
Theater Honors Program
See the Theater, BA or Theater, BFA for specific details.
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 2.0 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 Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
300 Level Courses
Required Prerequisite: THR 210C.
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 210C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: THR 210C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: THR 210C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: THR 210C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Arts Management, Art and Visual Technology, Dance, Film and Video Studies, Computer Game Design, Music, Theater Performance or Theatre.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: THR 210C.
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.
Required Prerequisites: (THR 210C and 310C).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (THR 150C or 150XS) and (THR 151C or 151XS) and (THR 201C or 201XS) and (THR 210C or 210XS) and (THR 350*C or 350*XS).
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
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 Prerequisites: ((THR 230C or 230XS) and (THR 240C or 240XS)).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: ((THR 230C or 230XS) and (THR 240C or 240XS)).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: ((THR 230C or 230XS) and (THR 240C or 240XS)).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
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 Prerequisites: (THR 333C, 333XS, 334C, 334XS, 335C, 337C, 335XS or 337XS).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: THR 329C.
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.
Required Prerequisites: (THR 210C or 230C).
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.
400 Level Courses
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: THR 305C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (THR 306C or 306XS).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: THR 310C or 310XS.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Theater Performance 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.
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.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: THR 310C or 310XS.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
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.
Required Prerequisites: THR 337C or 337XS.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: THR 329*C or 329*XS.
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior, Senior Plus or Senior.
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.
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 Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: THR 350*XS or 350*C.
* May be taken concurrently.
XS Requires minimum grade of XS.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior, Senior Plus or Senior.
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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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, Junior Plus, 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.