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The Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Michigan-Flint is committed to liberalizing the perspectives of the general college student it encounters through the teaching of its courses in General Education and the BA in Theatre, and to the responsible and professional preparation of its students in its BFA in Performance and B.S. in Design and Technology.  Furthermore, we commit ourselves to the responsibility of enriching the lives of persons in our community by producing challenging, thought-provoking and entertaining experiences that reflect community diversity and explore critical values, concerns and issues.

Our productions feature all-student casts and crews, and provide opportunities for advanced students to practice skills in stage direction and realized design.  Our program is small enough to provide regular and consistent faculty/student interaction and multiple opportunities on and off stage for all of our students.

Graduates regularly find work in the profession and allied fields.  The skills acquired in our programs - initiative, creative problem-solving, presentation, teamwork and project management, to name a few - are highly transferable to multiple career paths.  Department of Labor statistics project that, while overall employment will grow by 17.7% by 2014, jobs in the arts, entertainment and recreation fields will grow by 25% or 460,000 new jobs.
 

Programs in Theatre and Dance
University of Michigan-Flint

Several degree programs are offered:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a variety of emphases
  • Bachelor of Science in Design and Technology
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance
  • Teachers Certificate Program in Speech
  • Honors Program in Theatre Bachelor of Arts.

Minors in Theatre, Dance, Music Theatre and a Teacher's Certificate Minor in Speech are also available.  Students seeking a theatre major must have a C or above in all theatre courses.

General Program in Theatre (Bachelor of Arts)
Foreign Language is a General Education Requirement
Requirements.  Completion of the graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, including two area options and the general education requirements in English composition, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts.  A total of 40 credits distributed as described in one of the following five options.  BA students in Option 1 must be available (cast or crew) to work on one  mainstage show each semester.

Option 1. General Program in Theatre
A.   Theatre History & Literature. THE 150, 300, 301; one from: THE/ART 241, THE/AFA 242, THE/ENG 302/388, THE/WGS 350 (12 credits).
B.   Performance. THE 221, 230, 339 (8 credits).
C.   Design. THE/ART 271;one from 370, 380 or 385, (6 credits).
D.   Technology. Two from THE 214, 215, 216; one from 314, 315 (7 credits).*   
E.    Directing. THE 320 (3 credits).
F.    THE 425, Senior Seminar (1 credit).
G.   Theatre Practica. THE 121, 122, 123 (4 credits in 3 areas).
H.   At least 33 credits in courses numbered 300 or above.
I.     Participation in at least one major production each semester.
* 214, 215, 216 will be 3 credits, 314, 315 will be 1 credit.
Option 1:  40 credits

Cut:  Options on Literature/History and Design and Technology

Option 2.  General Program in Theatre: Performance Emphasis
A.   Theatre History & Literature. THE 150, 300, 301 (9 credits).
B.   Performance
1.   Three from THE 221, 230, 339 (8 credits).
2.   Two from THE 345, 352 or 334 (6 credits).
3.   Two from THE 331, 338, THE/DAN 333 (5 credits)
C.   Design. THE/ART 271 (3 credits).
D.   Technology. Two from THE 214 and 314, 215 and 315, 216 (4 credits).*   
E.    Directing. THE 320 (3 credits).
F.    THE 425, Senior Seminar (1 credit).
G.   Theatre Practica. THE 121, 122 (1 credit).
H.   At least 33 credits in courses numbered 300 or above.
I.     Participation in at least one major production each semester.
* 214, 215, 216 will be 3 credits, 314, 315 will be 1 credit.
Option 2:  40 Credits

Option 3. General Program in Theatre. Dance Concentration
A.    Theatre History & Literature. THE 150, 300 or 301; DAN 100 and 300 (12 credits).
B.    Performance. DAN 116, 117, 118, 120, 121, 130, 131, 132, 140, 141 (7 credits); DAN 200 or 300-level DAN courses (4 credits).  THE 221, 230 (5 credits); (16 credits)
C.    Design. THE/ART 271 (3 credits).
D.    Technology. One from: THE 214, 215, 216 (3 credits).
E.     Directing/Choreography. One from: THE 320, DAN/ART 350, 351 (3 credits).
F.     THE 425, Senior Seminar (1 credit).
G.    Theatre Practica. THE 120, 121, 122, 123 (2 credits in 2 areas).
H.    At least 33 credits in courses numbered 300 or above.
I.      Participation in at least one major production a year.  
Option 3:  40 Credits

Honors Program in Theatre (Bachelor of Arts)
Requirements.
A. Completion of all the graduation requirements for the General Program in Theatre.
B.  THE 391, for 1 credit, to be taken in the first semester of the junior year in conjunction with one of the following courses: THE 300, 301, 302, 303, 405.
C.  One upper-level course from: THE 300, 301, 302, 303, 405.
D. THE 393, Honors Independent Study, in the second semester of the junior year.
E.  THE 495 and 496, Honors Thesis I and II (4 credits each).
F.  Completion of all requirements for the University Honors Scholar Program.

Prospective Honors Program students are urged to acquaint themselves as early as possible with the requirements above, as well as the particular procedures for acceptance into the Theatre Department's Honors Program.  See the Departmental Honors Advisor or the Honors Program Director for this information.

Program In Theatre Design And Technology (Bachelor of Science)
The BS in design in technology prepares students who are serious, dedicated and gifted for post-gradate opportunities in theatre design and technology.  The program is designed to offer courses and laboratory experiences for students who wish to excel in this area.  The purpose for this concentration is to enable those students who wish to pursue further study or a career in the field. 

Requirements:  Completion of 120 credit hours and graduation requirements for a Bachelor’s degree including UMFlint General Education requirements. 
At least 60 credits in theatre distributed as follows (new courses underlined):

A.  Design and Technology (36 credits). THE/ART 271; 4 credits from THE 214, 215 or 216; 2 credits from THE 314, 315; 15 credits from THE/ART 241, 251, 380, THE 370, THE/ART/COM 252, THE/WGS 275 or THE 385; 15 credits from THE 323 (Scene painting), THE 343 Theatre CAD, THE 327 (Patterning and Draping), THE 324 (Textiles and Costuming), THE 404, 408, 413, 414, 417 or 419. 

  1. Theatre Practica (3 credits in 2 areas): THE 121, 122.
  2. Performance (5 credits):  THE 221 and 230.
  3. Theatre History and Literature (9 credits):  THE 150, 300, 301
  4. Directing (3 credits).  THE 320: Intro to Directing
  5. Senior Seminar (1 credit): THE 425
  6. Theatre Elective (3 credits)
  7. At least 33 credits in courses numbered 300 or above
  8. Participation in all major productions during the year
  9. General Education (50 hours)
  10. Electives (10 credits)

B.S. Credit Hours:   60  (120 total hours to graduate)

Coures for the program of study:
(Note:  new courses are underlined and where we have added wording to existing course titles, we have underlined that addition)

  1. Design & Technology (36 credits)
    1. THE/ART 271:   Intro to Design (3 credits)
    2. Technology (6 credits from this list, 2 courses from 214, 215, 216 and 2 courses from 314, 315):
      1. THE 214: Stage Costuming (2 credits)
      2. THE 314: Stage Costuming lab (1 credit)
      3. THE 215: Stagecraft (2 credits)
      4. THE 315: Stagecraft Lab (1 credit)
      5. THE 216: Stage Lighting and Audio (2 credits. In previous catalog and dropped. We wish to bring it back for this program.)
    1. Foundation Courses  (15 Credits):
      1. THE/ART 241:  Modernism (3 credits)
      2. THE/ART 251: Makeup (2 credits)
      3. THE 370: Costume Design  (3 credits, prerequisite: university level drawing class)
      4. THE/ART/COM 252: Intro to Graphic Design (3 credits)
      5. THE/WGS 275:  Clothing in Western Culture (3 credits)
      6. THE/ART 380: Scene Design or 385: Lighting Design (3 credits, prerequisite: university level drawing class).
    2. Advanced Design and Technology (12 credits).
      1. THE  323:  Scene Painting (3 credits)  Scene Painting. The techniques of scene painting including color theory, heightened perspective, stenciling, dimensioning, landscape and architectural styles. Applied work on realized sets. (prerequisite: university level drawing class). 
      2. THE_343: Theatre CAD (3 credits)  Development of working knowledge of computers as a tool for theatrical design.  Computer techniques and how they are used for stage design and graphic presentation. Designs may cover various stage design styles. Emphasis on competence in using the CAD program for creating stage designs.
      3. THE_327:  Patterning and Draping (3 credits)  Students will learn patterning/draping for costume construction.  The course will focus on patterns for various historical styles.  Applied work on realized costumes.
      4. THE_324: Textiles and Costuming (3 credits)  Students will learn various qualities of different textiles and how to print, dye and distress textiles.  The focus will be on how fabrics are used in fashion and costume construction. 
      5. THE 404:  Seminar in Scene Design and Technology (1-3 credits)
      6. THE 408: Seminar in Lighting Design and Production (1-3 credits)
      7. THE 413: Special Projects in Scene Design and Technology (1-3 credits)
      8. THE 414: Special Projects in Costume Design and Technology (1-3 credits)
      9. THE 417: Special Projects in Lighting Design and Production (1 – 3 credits)
      10. THE 419: Seminar in Costume Design and Technology (1-3 credits)
  1. Theatre Practica (3 credits in 2 areas) THE 121, 122
  2. Performance (5 credits):
    1. THE 221: Voice and Movement
    2. THE 230:  Intro Acting
  3. Theatre History & Literature (9 credits): 
    1. THE 150: Drama as Performance
    2. THE 300: History I
    3. THE 301: History II
  4. Directing (3 credits).  THE 320: Intro to Directing
  5. Senior Seminar (1 credit)
  6. Theatre Elective (3 credits)
  7. At least 33 credits in courses numbered 300 or above
  8. Participation in all major productions during the year
  9. General Education (50 hours including Foreign Language 112 or two university level semesters of ASL)
  10. Electives (10 hours)

Program in Performance (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
The BFA in performance prepares students who are serious, dedicated and gifted for a career in the performing arts.  The program is designed to foster the skills and knowledge commensurate with the demands of a life in the theatre.  The purpose of the concentration is to develop individual performers equipped to enter the professional arena and to prepare students for further study on the graduate or conservatory level.  Admission to the BFA program is by audition after students have completed between 30 and 60 credit hours.

Requirements.  Completion of 126 credit hours and the graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, including two area options and the general education requirements in English composition, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts.  At least 70 credits in theatre distributed as follows:
A. Acting Sequence (18 credits).  THE 230, 339 (elected three times), 345, 352.  THE 230 and 339 must be taken in sequence during the freshman and sophomore years.  The balance of the acting class sequence may be taken in any order.
B.  Voice and Movement Sequence (12 credits).  THE 221, 331, 333, plus six credits in dance technique or ensemble selected in consultation with Dance advisor.
C.  Theatre History (9 credits).  THE 150, 300, 301.
D. Design/Technical (14 credits).  THE/ART 251 (3 credits in the future), 271 and eight additional credits from THE 214 and 314, 215 and 315, 216, 370, 380 or 385 (not 271, 280, 285) or Special Projects in Design and Technical.
E.  Directing (3 credits).  THE 320.
F.  Theatre Practica (7 credits).  Four areas on mainstage productions: THE 120, 121, 122, 123.
G. Electives.  Twelve additional credits in music, theatre or dance theory or performance chosen in consultation with the BFA advisor. (12 credits).
H. Senior Seminar (1 credit).  THE 425.

BFA Credit Hours:   76  (including G above)

In addition, the BFA candidate must audition for and be available to be cast in all  mainstage productions mounted each year by the Theatre and Dance Department.  Each BFA candidate is reviewed by the Theatre faculty in audition/interviews at the end of each semester.  The BFA candidate is also responsible for completing a reading list (available from the Theatre faculty) by the last semester of the senior year.
  
Teacher's Certificate Program in Speech (Bachelor of Arts)
Faculty Advisors:  See Carolyn Gillespie in Theatre.
Foreign Language is a General Education Requirement 
Requirements.  Forty credits, distributed as follows:
A. Core courses (26 credits).  COM 200, 281, 332; COM/THE 204, 210; THE 221, 321; THE/ART 271; THE/EDU 368.
B.  Ethics and law (3 credits).  COM 301 or 331.
C.  Diversity (3 credits).  COM 381 or COM/LIN 284 or THE/WGS 350.
D. Performance (6 credits). Two from: COM/THE 213, 304; THE 150, 225, 339.
E.  Practicum (2 credits).  Two from: THE 110, 111, 112, 113.
F.  Additional courses in Theatre and/or Communication recommended.

Prospective candidates should also study the sections entitled "General Requirements for Teacher Certification" and "Secondary Education Teacher's Certificate Programs," printed in the Department of Education section of this Catalog.

Minor in Theatre
Requirements.  Twenty-one credits distributed as follows:
A. One from: THE 214, 215, 216 (3 credits).
B.  THE 150, 221, 225, 271, 321 (14 credits).
C.  One from: THE 120, 121, 122, 123 (1 credit).
D. Three additional credits from the BA curriculum.

Minor in Music Theatre
See Music.

Minor in Dance and Movement                                                                                           

The minor in Dance and Movement provides concentrated study in essential courses in dance technique, history, composition, kinesiology, and performance supplemented by elective options in stage lighting and voice and movement.  The minor is geared to attract students who wish to balance their studies with well-rounded formal training in dance and movement.

1.      Required Technique (12 credits)
DAN 120/121 Ballet I & II (2 cr.)
DAN 130/131:  Jazz I & II (2 cr.)
DAN 116/117:  Modern I & II (2 cr.)
DAN 200:  Ensemble (only 2 cr. count toward minor)
THE 221:  Voice and Movement (2 cr.)
THE/DAN 224:  Alexander Technique (2 cr.)
2.   Electives for the Minor (11 cr. from the following)
(THE majors who minor in DAN must take the DAN courses)
DAN 101:  Topics (3 credits)
DAN 201:  Conditioning (2 cr.)
DAN 140/141:  Tap (2 cr.)
DAN 204:  World Dance (3 cr.)
DAN 225:  Dance Repertory (1 cr., maximum 3 cr. count toward minor.)
DAN 300:  History (3 cr.)
DAN 340: Improvisation (3 cr.)
DAN 341:  Musical Theatre Dance and Choreography (2 cr.)
THE/DAN 333:  Movement (2 cr.)
DAN 351:  Choreography I:  Composition (3 cr.)
THE 230:  Acting I (3 cr.)
THE 240:  Music and the Theatre (3 cr.)
THE 334:  Music and Theatre Workshop (3 cr.)

Teacher's Certificate Minor in Speech
Requirements.  Twenty-six credits distributed as follows.
A.      Core courses (15 credits).  COM 200, 332; COM/THE 204, 210, 320.
B.      Performance (6 credits).  Two from:  COM/THE 213; THE 150, 225, 230.
C.      Theatre technology (2 credits).  THE 214 or 215.
D.      Teaching Methods (3 credits).  THE/COM/EDU 368.


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