Programs of Study
Theater
The Honors Tutorial Program in Theater provides a solid liberal arts education combined with a strong professionally oriented training in theater. The program is based on the philosophy that theater artists and scholars should have a broad humanistic knowledge of the world around them. The art of theater is richer when it is infused with politics, history, literature, philosophy, anthropology, psychology and the other arts. Graduates of the theater program who continue in theater are able to create vibrant performances that speak to the world around them and to the human spirit. Graduates who pursue other careers have gained a rigorous education in the humanities that has helped them learn to think critically, to write well, to articulate their ideas, and to create expressively.
The School of Theater is one of the best and most highly regarded theater schools in the country. The faculty is made up of esteemed theater professionals who not only nurture and encourage your development as an artist, but also, facilitate and target your professional placement through internships and high-level networking. Graduates include Tony-award winning performers—Chuck Cooper; rising movie stars—Piper Perabo (HTC); and major Hollywood scene designers—David Sackeroff. As a student in the School of Theater , you will become part of a community of artists, building links and liaisons in the field through your contact with faculty, guest artists, teachers, and your fellow classmates. Faculty will mentor and work with you individually, tailoring your talent and needs to quality benchmarks that will ensure your competitive entry into the profession.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Students take one tutorial each quarter with a professor who is a specialist in the field. Tutorials can cover theater history and dramatic literature, acting, directing, playwriting, design and technical theater. Students also learn research techniques that are specific to the artist and the scholar. In addition, tutorials can focus on actual performance work, such as the creative project in the junior year and the thesis in the senior year. In addition, students take conventional courses with other theater students.
The theater program is built around a set of recommended tutorials and courses, but each student devises his or her individual course of study in consultation with the Director of Studies. The student is expected to learn the foundational information in all areas of theater, to be involved in production and performance, and to specialize in one area. The student may earn either the BA or BFA in theater, with an emphasis in performance (acting), playwriting, directing, or production design and technology.
The course of study culminates in a series of experiences that synthesize and focus the student’s education. These include an optional internship and/or study abroad, a comprehensive examination, a creative project and a thesis (performance or scholarly). Students are also expected to gain external recognition for their work, such as in a performance, exhibition, publication or conference.
Students in the Honors Tutorial Program in Theater are leaders, and commonly direct, design, stage manage, write or take leading roles in plays. We expect the highest from honors theater students, and they achieve it.
Tutorials: The student and tutor meet weekly in individual sessions to discuss reading assignments, writing or project work. Each week the student completes an assignment, which may include reading, writing a paper, or working on a project or exercise. This work is discussed and evaluated during the tutorial session. The students may meet individually or in small groups for the tutorial. The student, in consultation with the tutor, may sit in on courses in the given subject matter either before or along with tutorial on that topic.
Thesis: HTC students are required to complete a thesis, which may involve research and/or creative work. The director of studies for the tutorial program assigns tutors in accord with the interests of the individual student. The tutor, in consultation with the student, develops an individual plan of instruction. For BFA students, the thesis involves participation in a performance, with a written report, evaluation and documentation. For a BA student, the thesis is a scholarly research paper.
Collateral Study: The student's program allows ample time for electives. Approximately half of the student's work is in theater, so the student may devote the rest of his or her time to other areas. Many students gain minors in other fields, such as English, history, political science, mathematics and business. BA students are expected to take approximately 95 credits outside of theater. BFA students are expected to take approximately 65 credits outside of theater. The student must satisfy the Ohio University freshman and junior English composition requirement.
Combined BA-MA Program: Students may elect to enroll in a combined program with the graduate Theater History and Criticism Program. It is possible to complete both programs in four to five years.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES
The first two years are intended to provide a foundation in theater studies. The last two years offer an intensifying focus on the student's area of study.
The following serve as guidelines, not requirements, for all HTC students in Theater. These guidelines serve as the normative pattern, but are adapted for an individual student.
First Year
Fall Quarter: Theories of theater; Winter Quarter: Greek Tragedy (Classics department); Spring Quarter: Nineteenth-century theater and drama. Practicum: Technical theater
At the end of the freshman year, the student applies for entry into one of the following areas of emphasis: Theater (BA), Playwriting (BFA), Performance (Acting) BFA, Performance Management (BFA), Production Design and Technology (BFA)
Second Year
Fall Quarter: Elective; Winter Quarter: Research methods and tools (in the student's area of interest); Spring Tutorial: Twentieth-century theater and drama. Practicum: Technical theater or performances
During the second year students must accumulate 16 credits of area specialization courses selected from conventional BFA courses.
Third Year
Fall Quarter: Study Abroad, Internship, or Elective; Winter Quarter: Creative Project; Spring Quarter: Comprehensive Exam. Practicum in area of focus.
During the third year students must accumulate 20 credits of area specialization courses selected from conventional BFA courses. By the end of the third year, students are required to pass a comprehensive examination in theater history and drama as well as to designate a creative project as representative of their progress. This project should point the way toward the thesis.
Fourth Year
Fall Quarter: Thesis Research; Winter Quarter: Thesis performance; Spring Quarter: Written thesis. During the fourth year students must accumulate 20 credits of area specialization courses selected from conventional BFA courses. Practicum: Thesis
BA Students take a reduced selection from the above courses, and are strongly encouraged to gain proficiency in a foreign language. Each student is also expected to take the conventional BFA or BA Theater Core, either in class or in equivalent tutorial. Participation in production work (practicum) is required two out of three quarters each year. During the third and fourth years, this should take the form of special projects developed by the student in consultation with faculty.
EVALUATION
The Director of Studies consults with tutors about progress, strengths and weaknesses, so that subsequent tutorials can address problems and build on strengths. Grades are based on performance in the tutorial, examinations, papers, and production work (if applicable). The tutor determines specific evaluation criteria and assignments, and the student receives a letter grade consistent with the university grading system. Tutors complete quarterly course evaluations and descriptions of students' work, which are kept on file in the College office. These evaluations give the student an opportunity to understand his or her progress in detail. Every Honors Tutorial student has a progress review each spring quarter. This includes consideration of the student's enthusiasm and motivation and whether the tutorial approach is best for that student. If it is felt that the student would do better in a more traditional program, or another major, the student will be so advised and assisted in transferring to another college or major.
ADMISSION/ELIGIBILITY
Students should have a potential for self-motivated undergraduate study and be active participants in the educational process while learning in a non-lecture format. Admission to the Honors Tutorial program requires a personal interview with an audition or portfolio (if applicable), at least a 1300 combined SAT or at least a 30 ACT composite score, and a rank in the upper 10% of the high school class.
Admission to the Performance Program is based on audition and interview with the head of the undergraduate performance program, in consultation with the Director of Studies. Transfer students should have a minimum 3.4 G.P.A. and have earned no more than 48 quarter hours.
The review process is individualized to allow for students who do not perform well on standardized tests but demonstrate exceptional aptitude in other ways.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information contact:Dr. William Condee
Director of Studies
Theater Tutorial Program
School of Theater
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701-2979
(740) 593-1315
Additional information can be found online at http://www.ohiou.edu/theater/index.html.