Admissions
Entrance to the program is by audition/interview or portfolio review. Information about the audition process, including dates on the School of Theater website. Admission to the university is determined by the Admissions Office.
Policies
For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 120
Mason Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Requirements | ||
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Information Technology | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| ENGH 101 | Composition (Mason Core) 1 | 3 |
| ENGH 302 | Advanced Composition (Mason Core) 1 | 3 |
| Core Requirements | ||
| Literature | 3 | |
| Arts 2 | 3 | |
| Natural Science 3 | 7 | |
| Global History | 3 | |
| Global Understanding | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
- 1
Nonnative speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGH 100 Composition for Multilingual Writers (Mason Core) for ENGH 101 Composition (Mason Core). Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGH 100 Composition for Multilingual Writers (Mason Core) or ENGH 101 Composition (Mason Core), as well as in ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core), to fulfill degree requirements.
- 2
Outside the major. Students earning a concentration in Musical Theater Performance must take DANC 125 Modern/Contemporary Dance I (Mason Core), DANC 131 Beginning Jazz Technique (Mason Core), DANC 145 Ballet I (Mason Core), DANC 161 Beginning Tap Dance (Mason Core), DANC 225 Modern/Contemporary Dance II (Mason Core), DANC 231 Intermediate Jazz Technique (Mason Core), DANC 245 Ballet II (Mason Core), or DANC 331 Advanced Jazz Dance (Mason Core).
- 3
Including one laboratory science
Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Theater Core Requirements | ||
| Note: All 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 150 | Global Theater Histories I (Mason Core) | 3 |
| THR 151 | Global Theater Histories II (Mason Core) | 3 |
| THR 196 | Production Practicum | 1 |
| THR 197 | Literary Management Practicum | 1 |
| THR 198 | Construction or Admin Practicum | 1 |
| THR 199 | Production Run Crew Practicum | 1 |
| THR 201 | Stage Management | 3 |
| THR 210 | Acting I (Mason Core) | 3 |
| THR 230 | Fundamentals of Production (Mason Core) | 3 |
| THR 300 | Voice and Speech | 3 |
| THR 329 | Directing | 3 |
| THR 350 | Script Analysis | 3 |
| THR 411 | Great Film Directors (Mason Core) | 3 |
| or THR 412 | Great Film Performances (Mason Core) | |
| Movement | 3 | |
| Select one course from the following: 3 | ||
| Movement for Actors | ||
| Advanced Movement for Actors | ||
| Unarmed Stage Combat | ||
| Movement in Musical Theater | ||
| Synthesis | 3 | |
| Select one course from the following: | ||
| Advanced Studies in Directing/Dramaturgy (Mason Core) | ||
| Text in Production (Mason Core) | ||
| Design/Tech in the Discipline | 3 | |
| 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 Discipline | 3 | |
| Select one course from the following: 3 | ||
| Dramatic Theory and Criticism | ||
| Playwriting I | ||
| Screenplay Workshop | ||
| Translation Adaptation for Stage Screen | ||
| Dramatic Literature | ||
| Select one course from the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Dramatic Literature Seminar | ||
| Advanced Studies in Theater History | ||
| American Voices | ||
| World Stages (Mason Core) 1 | ||
| Contemporary Women Playwrights | ||
| Total Credits | 46 | |
- 1
May fulfill Mason Core global understanding or the upper-level dramatic literature requirement but not both.
- 2
Design & Tech concentration students must complete THR 240 for the Design/Tech in the Discipline requirement.
- 3
or with permission of Director
Concentrations
Theater majors earning a BFA in Theater must select one of the following concentrations:
Concentrations
- Design for Stage and Screen Concentration (DSS)
- Musical Theater Performance Concentration (MTPF)
- Performance for Stage and Screen Concentration (PSS)
Design for Stage and Screen Concentration (DSS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THR 339 | Principles of Design | 3 |
| THR 492 | Advanced Practicum 2 | 3 |
| Select 24 credits from the following: 1 | 24 | |
| 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 | ||
| Technical Direction | ||
| Sound Design | ||
| Advanced Studies in Directing | ||
| Makeup Design | ||
| Costume Technology | ||
| Professional Presentation | ||
| Advanced Sound Engineering | ||
| Musical Theater Ensemble 2 | ||
| Advanced Lighting Design | ||
| Advanced Sound Design | ||
| Special Topics in Theater | ||
| Seminar on the Profession | ||
| Advanced Practicum 2 | ||
| Collaborative Lab Experience 2 | ||
| Field Experience | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
or with permission of Director
- 2
Registration by audition/interview only. Students completing THR 428, THR 492, or THR 493 for the first time must register for 3 credits. Students repeating the course may elect to register for 1-3 credits.
Musical Theater Performance Concentration (MTPF)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | ||
| MUSI 108 | Practical Musicianship 1 | 3 |
| or MUSI 115 | Introduction to Music Theory | |
| MUSI 113 | Aural Skills I 1 | 1 |
| MUSI 171 | Keyboard Skills I 1 | 1 |
| MUSI 223 | Applied Music in Voice | 8 |
| or MUSI 243 | Applied Music in Voice | |
| THR 306 | Movement in Musical Theater | 3 |
| THR 310 | Acting II | 3 |
| THR 320 | Performance Studio | 3 |
| THR 406 | Advanced Movement in Musical Theater | 3 |
| or DANC 331 | Advanced Jazz Dance (Mason Core) | |
| THR 427 | Musical Theater Workshop | 3 |
| Advanced Performance | 3 | |
| Select one course from: 3 | ||
| Characterization | ||
| Acting for the Camera | ||
| Advanced Performance Studio | ||
| Ensemble | 3 | |
| Select one course from: 3 | ||
| Musical Theater Ensemble 2 | ||
| Collaborative Lab Experience 2 | ||
| Field Experience | ||
| Senior Capstone Project | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Select one course from: 3 | ||
| Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core) | ||
| Dance in Popular Culture (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern/Contemporary Dance I (Mason Core) | ||
| Beginning Jazz Technique (Mason Core) | ||
| Ballet I (Mason Core) | ||
| Modern/Contemporary Dance II (Mason Core) | ||
| Intermediate Jazz Technique (Mason Core) | ||
| Ballet II (Mason Core) | ||
| Advanced Jazz Dance (Mason Core) (200 level pre-requisite must be met) | ||
| Popular Music in America (Mason Core) | ||
| Jazz and Blues in America (Mason Core) | ||
| Music in Motion Pictures (Mason Core) | ||
| Advanced Movement for Actors | ||
| Unarmed Stage Combat | ||
| Characterization | ||
| Advanced Stage Combat | ||
| Advanced Movement in Musical Theater | ||
| Advanced Performance Studio | ||
| One-Person Show | ||
| Performance: Process and Portfolio | ||
| Total Credits | 37 | |
- 1
The School of Music offers placement tests in Theory, Sight Singing, Ear Training and Keyboard Skills for students with an exceptional level of competency or prior academic experience in these areas. Placement tests are optional. However, students must pass the specific placement tests in order to receive “credit-by-examination” to be applied for credit to the concentration. These exams are only available the semester you begin coursework at Mason and cannot be scheduled for a later time. Opportunities to take the placement exams and additional exam details are posted on the School of Music website: music.gmu.edu
- 2
Registration by audition/interview only. Students completing THR 428 and THR 493 for the first time must register for 3 credits. Students repeating the course may elect to register for 1-3 credits.
- 3
or with permission of Director
Performance for Stage and Screen Concentration (PSS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THR 301 | Advanced Study in Voice | 3 |
| THR 310 | Acting II | 3 |
| THR 365 | Characterization | 3 |
| or THR 421 | One-Person Show | |
| THR 410 | Acting for the Camera | 3 |
| Select 18 credits from the following: 1 | 18 | |
| 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 | ||
| Makeup Design | ||
| Professional Presentation | ||
| Advanced Stage Combat | ||
| Advanced Performance Studio | ||
| Performance: Process and Portfolio | ||
| Audition Techniques: Stage and Camera | ||
| Musical Theater Workshop | ||
| Musical Theater Ensemble 2 | ||
| Special Topics in Theater | ||
| Seminar on the Profession | ||
| Advanced Practicum 2 | ||
| Collaborative Lab Experience 2 | ||
| Field Experience | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
or with permission of Director
- 2
Registration by audition/interview only. Students completing THR 428, THR 492, or THR 493 for the first time must register for 3 credits. Students repeating the course may elect to register for 1-3 credits.
General Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| After fulfilling degree requirements, BFA students may use remaining general electives credits inside or outside of the department. All students are required to take a minimum of 45 credits of upper-division courses (300-400 level). | 0-7 | |
| Total Credits | 0-7 | |
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater 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 Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| THR 150 | 3 | THR 151 | 3 |
| THR 201 or 210 | 3 | THR Concentration Course | 3 |
| THR 230 | 3 | Mason Core (typically COMM 100 or 101) | 3 |
| Mason Core (typically ENGH 101) | 3 | Mason Core (typically Literature) | 3 |
| Mason Core (typically Quantitative Reasoning) | 3 | Mason Core (typically Arts outside the major) | 3 |
| Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each) | 1 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| THR 201 or 210 | 3 | THR 329 | 3 |
| THR 350 | 3 | Movement or Design/Tech in the Discipline | 3 |
| Movement or Design/Tech in the Discipline | 3 | THR Concentration Course | 3 |
| THR 300 or THR Concentration Course | 3 | Mason Core (typically HIST 100 or 125) | 3 |
| Mason Core (typically Information Technology) or THR Concentration Course | 3 | Mason Core (typically Information Technology) or THR Concentration Course | 3 |
| Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each) | 1 | Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each) | 1 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| Dramatic Literature or Writing in the Discipline | 3 | Dramatic Literature or Writing in the Discipline | 3 |
| Mason Core (typically Lab Science) | 4 | Film Study or THR Concentration Course | 3 |
| THR 300 or THR Concentration Course | 3 | THR Concentration Course | 3 |
| THR Concentration Course | 3 | Mason Core (typically ENGH 302) | 3 |
| Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each) | 1 | Mason Core (typically Social & Behavioral Sciences) | 3 |
| Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each) | 1 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| Synthesis or THR Concentration Course | 3 | Synthesis or THR Concentration Course | 3 |
| Film Study or THR Concentration Course | 3 | THR Concentration Course | 3 |
| THR Concentration Course | 3 | THR Concentration Course | 3 |
| Mason Core (typically Non-Lab Science) | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| Mason Core (typically Global Understanding) | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 1 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 124 | |||
Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://advising.gmu.edu/current-student/majors-at-mason/.
Concentration in Musical Theater Performance
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| THR 150 | 3 | THR 151 | 3 |
| THR 210 | 3 | THR 230 | 3 |
| Mason Core (typically ENGH 101) | 3 | THR 310 | 3 |
| Mason Core (typically Quantitative Reasoning) | 3 | Mason Core (typically COMM 100 or 101) | 3 |
| DANC Course (Chosen from Mason Core Arts list) | 3 | Mason Core (typically Literature) | 3 |
| MUSI 223 | 1 | MUSI 223 | 1 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| Mason Core (typically Information Technology) | 3 | Mason Core (typically Social & Behavioral Sciences) | 3 |
| Mason Core (typically HIST 100 or 125) | 3 | Mason Core (Typically Global Understanding) | 3 |
| Movement (THR 303, 304, or 305) or THR 300 | 3 | THR 350 | 3 |
| THR 427 | 3 | THR 306 or 201 | 3 |
| MUSI 115 or 108 | 3 | MUSI 171 | 1 |
| MUSI 223 | 1 | MUSI 223 | 1 |
| Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each) | 1 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| Mason Core (typically Lab Science) | 4 | Mason Core (typically Non-Lab Science) | 3 |
| THR 329 | 3 | THR 306 or 201 | 3 |
| Movement (THR 303, 304, or 305) or THR 300 | 3 | THR 411 or 412 | 3 |
| THR 320 | 3 | Dramatic Literature or Concentration Elective | 3 |
| MUSI 113 | 1 | MUSI 223 | 1 |
| MUSI 223 | 1 | Writing in the Discipline or Design/Tech in the Discipline | 3 |
| Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each) | 1 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits |
| Mason Core (typically ENGH 302) | 3 | Synthesis (THR 440 or 496) | 3 |
| Dramatic Literature or Concentration Elective | 3 | Writing in the Discipline or Design/Tech in the Discipline | 3 |
| Writing in the Discipline or Design/Tech in the Discipline | 3 | THR 428, 493, 494, or 495 | 3 |
| THR 411 or 412 (or Concentration Movement Elective) | 3 | THR 406 or DANC 331 | 3 |
| MUSI 223 | 1 | MUSI 223 | 1 |
| Practicum (THR 196, 197, 198 and 199 - must complete one of each) | 1 | ||
| 14 | 13 | ||
| Total Credits 122 | |||
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.