The BA degree stresses the breadth of a liberal arts education in the belief that such study, combined with serious practical training and experience, offers the best preparation for a life in theater and screen.

Students complete the theater core. To organize their advance work within the major, students elect a course of study from four concentrations:

  • Performance
  • Design and Technical Theater
  • Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12
  • Theater Studies

Admissions

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 Admissions Office. University-wide admissions policies can be found in the Undergraduate Admissions Policies section of this catalog.

Policies

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.

Banner Code: AR-BA-THR

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 120

Mason Core

Foundation Requirements
Oral Communication3
Information Technology3
Quantitative Reasoning3
ENGH 101Composition (Mason Core) 13
ENGH 302Advanced Composition (Mason Core) 13
Core Requirements
Literature3
Arts 23
Natural Science 37
Global History3
Global Understanding3
Social and Behavioral Sciences3
Total Credits37

Major

Theater Core Requirements

Note: THR majors may not double count THR courses within the major. All THR courses count either towards the degree core or the concentration, but not both.

THR 150Global Theater Histories I (Mason Core)3
THR 151Global Theater Histories II (Mason Core)3
THR 196Production Practicum1
THR 197Literary Management Practicum1
THR 198Construction or Admin Practicum1
THR 199Production Run Crew Practicum1
THR 201Stage Management3
THR 210Acting I (Mason Core)3
THR 230Fundamentals of Production (Mason Core)3
THR 300Voice and Speech3
THR 329Directing3
THR 350Script Analysis3
THR 411Great Film Directors (Mason Core)3
or THR 412 Great Film Performances (Mason Core)
Movement3
Select one course from the following: 3
Movement for Actors
Advanced Movement for Actors
Unarmed Stage Combat
Movement in Musical Theater
Synthesis3
Advanced Studies in Directing/Dramaturgy (Mason Core)
Text in Production (Mason Core)
Design/Tech in the Discipline3
Select one course from the following: 3
Introduction to Theatrical Design 2
Event Technical Production
Lighting Stagecraft
Sound Engineering
Scene Painting
Seminar in Technical Theater
Makeup Design
Writing in the Discipline3
Select one course from the following: 3
Dramatic Theory and Criticism
Playwriting I
Screenplay Workshop
Translation Adaptation for Stage Screen
Dramatic Literature3
Select one course from the following: 3
Dramatic Literature Seminar
Advanced Studies in Theater History
American Voices
World Stages (Mason Core) 1
Contemporary Women Playwrights
Total Credits46

Concentrations

Theater majors earning a BA in Theater must select one of the following concentrations: 

Concentrations

Concentration in Design and Technical Theater (DTT)

Provides a foundation of knowledge, technique, and experience in one or more areas of theater design and technology in preparation for advanced study and professional work in the field.

THR 339Principles of Design3
Select 15 credits from the following: 115
Production Practicum
Literary Management Practicum
Construction or Admin Practicum
Production Run Crew Practicum
Event Technical Production
Lighting Stagecraft
Sound Engineering
Scene Painting
Seminar in Technical Theater
Drafting and Modeling
History of Fashion and Dress
Scenic Design
Lighting Design
Costume Design
Sound Design
Makeup Design
Costume Technology
Professional Presentation
Advanced Sound Engineering
Musical Theater Ensemble 2
Advanced Lighting Design
Advanced Sound Design
Advanced Practicum 2
Collaborative Lab Experience 2
Total Credits18

Concentration in Performance (PFM)

Designed for the serious student of acting with professional aspirations. Solid grounding in the fundamentals of performance analysis and basic training of the actor's instrument are complemented by a rigorous, sequential instruction in the various facets of the actor's craft.

At its core, the Performance Concentration is a blend of Modern and Classical actor training using a Stanislavski-grounded approach balanced with techniques for understanding texts written two hundred years before "motivation" and "characterization" entered the critical vocabulary. Rounding out the curriculum is specialized study in vocal production and movement technique. Matriculation in this program expresses a profound commitment to a rigorous intellectual, physical and emotional investigation of the discipline of performance over a two-year period. Professional development is enhanced with ongoing student progress reviews, support and advising from Performance Concentration faculty.

THR 301Advanced Study in Voice3
THR 310Acting II3
Select 12 credits from the following: 112
Production Practicum
Literary Management Practicum
Construction or Admin Practicum
Production Run Crew Practicum
Advanced Movement for Actors
Unarmed Stage Combat
Movement in Musical Theater
Performance Studio
Acting Shakespeare
Advanced Studies in Directing
Characterization
Professional Presentation
Advanced Stage Combat
Acting for the Camera
Advanced Performance Studio
One-Person Show
Performance: Process and Portfolio
Audition Techniques: Stage and Camera
Musical Theater Workshop
Musical Theater Ensemble 2
Special Topics in Theater
Advanced Practicum 2
Collaborative Lab Experience 2
Total Credits18

Concentration in Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12 (THEA)

Designed for students interested in pursuing theater education.  Students pursuing a concentration in Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12 must:

  • Maintain an overall GPA of 2.80 in all coursework completed at Mason and in course work at all institutions of higher learning combined.
  • Earn no grade lower than a C in theater and professional education courses needed for graduation.

Upon completion of all required coursework students must complete 15 weeks of a full-time student teaching internship (THR 455 Theater Education Internship). Applications for placement, subject to approval of the unit, are submitted to the Field Placement Specialist in the College of Education and Human Development at the beginning of the previous semester. In addition, students must pass the VCLA before student teaching.

Required Core Courses
THR 448Foundations of Theater Education3
THR 449Elementary Theater Education3
THR 450Secondary Theater Education3
EDRD 300Literacy in Fine Arts, Health, and Physical Education3
EDUC 301Educating Diverse and Exceptional Learners3
EDUC 302Human Growth and Development3
Six credits of6
Theater Education Internship
Total Credits24

Concentration in Theater Studies (THST)

Designed for the Theater generalist or the writer specializing in playwriting, screenwriting, production dramaturgy, season planning, theater criticism, and translation/adaptation for the stage. The Concentration in Theater Studies requires each student to work with a faculty advisor to craft an individualized course of study that challenges their development conceptually and creatively for a total of 18 credits of upper-division (300-400 level) THR courses. Concentration coursework may also include THR 196, THR 197, THR 198, and THR 199.

General Electives

BA students must use some/all general electives to complete a13-19
Minor
Double Major 1
Double Degree 1
Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language
Remaining electives 2

Bachelors of Arts in Theatre Sample Plan of Study 

The sample plan below is a recommended sequencing of courses based on pre-requisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
THR 1503THR 1513
THR 201 or 2103THR 201 or 2103
THR 2303THR Concentration Course 3
Mason Core (typically ENGH 101)3Mason Core (typically COMM 100 or 101)3
Mason Core (typically Quantitative Reasoning)3Mason Core (typically Literature)3
 15 15
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
THR 3503THR 3293
Movement or Design/Tech in the Discipline 3THR Concentration Course3
THR 300 or THR Concentration course 3Movement or Design/Tech in the Discipline 3
Foreign Language or Minor 3Foreign Language or Minor 3
Mason Core (typically Arts - outside the major)3Mason Core (typically HIST 100 or 125)3
Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each)1Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each)1
 16 16
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Dramatic Literature or Writing in the Discipline 3Dramatic Literature or Writing in the Discipline 3
THR 300 or THR Concentration Course3Film Study or THR Concentration Course 3
Mason Core (typically Lab science)4THR Concentration Course 3
Foreign language or Minor 3Foreign Language or Minor 3
Mason Core (typically Information Technology)3Mason Core (typically Global Understanding)3
 Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each)1
 16 16
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Synthesis or THR Concentration Course 3Synthesis or THR Concentration Course 3
Film Study or THR Concentration Course 3Mason Core (typically ENGH 302)3
Mason Core (typically Non-lab Science)3General Elective or Credit towards Minor3
Mason Core (typically Social & Behavioral Sciences)3General Elective or Credit towards Minor3
Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each)1General Elective or Credit towards Minor1
 13 13
Total Credits 120

Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://advising.gmu.edu/current-student/majors-at-mason/.

 Concentration in Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
THR 1503THR 1513
THR 201 or 2103THR 201 or 2103
THR 2303Mason Core (typically COMM 100 or 101)3
Mason Core (typically ENGH 101)3Mason Core (typically Arts - outside the major)3
Mason Core (typically Quantitative Reasoning)3Mason Core (typically Literature)3
 15 15
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Movement or Design/Tech in the Discipline3EDRD 3003
THR 3003Movement or Design/Tech in the Discipline3
THR 3503THR 3293
Foreign Language or Minor3Foreign Language or Minor3
Mason Core (typically HIST 100 or 125)3Mason Core (typically Information Technology)3
 15 15
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Dramatic Literature or Writing in the Discipline3Film Study or Synthesis3
EDUC 3013Dramatic Literature or Writing in the Discipline3
Foreign Language or Minor3THR 4483
Mason Core (typically Lab Science)4Foreign Language or Minor3
THR 1981Mason Core (typically Non-Lab Science)3
 14 15
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Film Study or Synthesis3THR 4503
THR 4493THR 422 or 4923
EDUC 3023Mason Core (typically ENGH 302)3
Mason Core (typically Global Understanding)3Elective (or credits toward Minor)1-3
Mason Core (typically Social & Behavioral Sciences)3THR 455 (Note: All coursework must be completed before registering for THR 455, which is typically taken in the ninth semester)6-12
 15 16-24
Total Credits 120-128

Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://advising.gmu.edu/current-student/majors-at-mason/.

Honors in the Major

Highly-qualified students who have completed 75 credits may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors in the major. Students apply for Honors in Theater by submitting to the Director (by November 15 or April 15) a two-page written statement outlining their reasons for pursuing advanced coursework and specific professional goals, along with the names of two Mason theater faculty members who have agreed to serve as references.

Students satisfy the honors course sequence by taking three honors-specific courses from their chosen concentration. They must also maintain an overall GPA of 3.50 and a GPA of 3.75 within the major.

Theater, BA/Arts Management, Accelerated MA

Overview

Academically strong undergraduates in Theater may apply to the accelerated Master’s Degree in Arts Management.  If accepted, students will be able to earn a Theater, BA and an Arts Management, MA after satisfactory completion of 150 credits. 

For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.  

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Graduate Admission Policies section of this catalog. 

Students are eligible to apply for this accelerated program once they have earned at least 60 undergraduate credits. After successfully completing 75 undergraduate credits, students must use at least 3 and no more than 12 credits of advanced standing courses (see below) to both complete the bachelor’s degree and begin the masters. An additional six credits may be held in reserve for the master’s degree, but cannot be used to complete the bachelors.

Important information on how to apply for this accelerated master's program can be found in the University’s Accelerated Master’s Application Guide. 

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

Undergraduate students admitted to the accelerated master’s program pathway will be fully admitted into the MA program if they meet the following requirements, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form

  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.00 
  • Completion of specific undergraduate coursework 
  • Successfully meet Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and complete the application for graduation 
  • Minimum grade of B in each advanced standing course
  • Submission of BAM Transition Form to Office of the University Registrar at the beginning of student’s final undergraduate semester  

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students in the Accelerated Pathway must choose from the following courses which can be taken as  Advanced Standing or Reserve Graduate credit.  A minimum grade of B is required.

Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits with a minimum grade of B in each)
AMGT 602Seminar in Arts Management3
AMGT 601Fund Raising/Development I3
AMGT 604Public Relations and Marketing Strategies for the Arts I3
AMGT 605Finance and Budgeting for Arts I3
Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
AMGT 603The Arts in Society 13
AMGT 606Governance and Financial Management 23
1

Prerequisite: AMGT 602 Seminar in Arts Management

2

Prerequisite: AMGT 605 Finance and Budgeting for Arts I

For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see  AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.