About the major
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Theatre is a professional degree designed for students pursuing careers as actors, directors, or theatre technicians/designers. The program follows an experiential curriculum that fosters discipline and artistic agency through broad-based foundational training. Courses emphasize critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and risk-taking, helping students build the refined skills necessary for success in all areas of the entertainment industry.
Students may choose from three concentrations: Acting, Design Tech, and Musical Theatre. Admission to the Acting and Musical Theatre programs is by audition/interview only. The co-curricular theatre season features four mainstage productions that prioritize students’ professional growth by simulating real-world experiences. All B.F.A. Theatre students are required to audition and participate. Additional performance opportunities include semi-annual cabarets, the Festival of New Work, and An Evening of 10-Minute Plays.
All B.F.A. Theatre students also complete a senior capstone project, working individually and in small groups with faculty to refine their showcase material and engage in deeper artistic discussion.
Contact information
To learn more about our degree programs, audition information, scholarships, professional development and careers, performances, faculty, and students, visit University Theatre or contact us at 330.941.3810.
To schedule a personalized campus visit, contact the Cliffe College of Creative Arts Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at 330.941.2346 or sawaltman@ysu.edu. We would love to learn about your interests, talk with you about our programs, and become an important part of your future.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| or YSU 1500S | Youngstown State University Success Seminar | |
| or HONR 1500 | Intro to Honors | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Any Gen Ed Math (Recommended MATH 2623) | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities (2 courses) One course included in Major | 3 | |
THTR 1560 *Included in major | ||
Any Arts & Humanities Elective | ||
| Natural Sciences (2 courses, 1 with lab) | 7 | |
| Social Science (2 courses) | 6 | |
Social Science Elective | ||
| General Education Electives (9 s.h.) | 9 | |
Any Gen Ed Course (3 s.h.) | ||
Any Gen Ed Course (3 s.h.) | ||
Any Gen Ed Course (3 s.h.) | ||
| Theatre Core Requirements | ||
| THTR 1559 | Production Design for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| THTR 1560 | Introduction to Theatre *Art and Humanities Requirement | 3 |
| THTR 1561 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THTR 1563 | Costume Construction and Craft | 3 |
| THTR 1585 | Acting 1: Fundamentals | 3 |
| Theatre Participation (THTR 2600) must be taken 3 times for a total of 3 s.h. | 3 | |
| THTR 2640 | Theatre History | 3 |
| Theatre Participation 2 (THTR 3700) must be taken 4 times for a total of 4 s.h. | 4 | |
| THTR 3701 | Professional Preparation | 3 |
| THTR 3761 | Stage Makeup | 3 |
| THTR 3768 | Script Analysis for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| Select 2 Special Topics or Upper Division Electives | 6 | |
| Topics in Theatre | ||
THTR 37XX/48XX | ||
| Major Concentration | 34 | |
Choose one concentration area -- Acting, Design Tech, or Musical Theatre | ||
| Minor or certificate | 12 | |
Choose a minor or certificate | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 121-123 | |
Acting Concentration
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | ||
| THTR 2667 | Acting 2: Character Creation & Scene Work | 3 |
| THTR 3762 | Directing 1 | 3 |
| THTR 3766 | Stage Combat | 3 |
| THTR 3772 | Acting 3: Advanced Character Study & Repertoire Acquisition | 3 |
| THTR 4870 | Acting 4: Acting on Camera | 3 |
| Select 2 of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Puppetry | ||
| Scene Design | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Choose 2 Upper Division Electives: | 6 | |
THTR 37XX/48XX | ||
THTR 37XX/48XX | ||
| Select 3 Movement Electives: | 4 | |
| Jazz and Tap 1 | ||
| Ballet 1 | ||
| Jazz and Tap II | ||
or DNCE 2673 | Ballet 2 | |
| Senior Project and Capstone | ||
| THTR 4898 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 34 | |
Design Tech Concentration
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| ART 1501 | Fundamentals of 2D Design | 3 |
| Coursework | ||
| THTR 2607 | Introduction to Puppetry | 3 |
| THTR 2661 | Introduction to Stage Management | 3 |
| THTR 3763 | Scene Design | 3 |
| THTR 3764 | History of Stage Costume | 3 |
| THTR 3765 | Lighting Design | 3 |
| THTR 3769 | Costume Design | 3 |
| THTR 37XX/48XX Upper Division Electives | 4 | |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Communication Technology - Photo and Video | ||
| Foundations of Multicamera Production and Multicamera Lab 1 | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of Art History 1 | ||
| Global Art since 1400 | ||
| Senior Project and Capstone | ||
| THTR 4898 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 34 | |
Musical Theatre Concentration
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | ||
| THTR 2601 | Singing Styles | 1 |
| THTR 2667 | Acting 2: Character Creation & Scene Work | 3 |
| THTR 3762 | Directing 1 | 3 |
| THTR 3772 | Acting 3: Advanced Character Study & Repertoire Acquisition | 3 |
| Voice Lessons (7 semesters) | ||
| MTVC 1501 | Voice Musical Theatre 1 | 2 |
| MTVC 1502 | Voice Musical Theatre 2 | 2 |
| MTVC 2601 | Adv Voice Musical Theatre 1 | 2 |
| MTVC 2602 | Adv Voice Musical Theatre 2 | 2 |
| MTVC 3701 | Voice | 2 |
| MTVC 3702 | Voice | 2 |
| MTVC 4801 | Voice | 2 |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Puppetry | ||
| Scene Design | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Choose 3 Movement Electives: | 4 | |
| Jazz and Tap 1 | ||
| Ballet 1 | ||
| Jazz and Tap II | ||
| Ballet 2 | ||
| Senior Project and Capstone | ||
| THTR 4898 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 34 | |
Different Emphases may slightly. Consult the four-year plans for the Acting Concentration, Design Tech Concentration, Musical Theatre Concentration for the plan of study.
Acting Concentration
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 1559 | Production Design for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| THTR 1560 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 1585 | Acting 1: Fundamentals | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| General Education | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar or Youngstown State University Success Seminar or Intro to Honors | 1-2 |
| ENGL 1550 or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 or Writing 1 with Support | 3-4 |
| Semester Hours | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 1561 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 2667 | Acting 2: Character Creation & Scene Work | 3 |
| DNCE 1571 or DNCE 1572 | 1 | |
| General Education | ||
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Any Gen Ed Math (Recommend MATH 2623) | 3 | |
| General Education Elective - Arts & Humanities | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 1563 | Costume Construction and Craft | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 3768 | Script Analysis for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| THTR 3772 | Acting 3: Advanced Character Study & Repertoire Acquisition | 3 |
| DNCE 1571 or DNCE 1572 (whichever not already taken) | 1 | |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective - Social Science | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 2640 | Theatre History | 3 |
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 3761 | Stage Makeup | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 4870 | Acting 4: Acting on Camera | 3 |
| Choose one from the following: THTR 3763, THTR 3765, THTR 3769, or THTR 2607 | 3 | |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective - Natural Science | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 4899 | Topics in Theatre | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 3762 | Directing 1 | 3 |
| DNCE 2671 or DNCE 2673 | 2 | |
| THTR 37XX/48XX Elective | 3 | |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 1 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 3766 | Stage Combat | 3 |
| General Education | ||
| PSYC 1560 | General Psychology | 3 |
| General Education Elective -- Any Gen Ed | 3 | |
| General Education Elective -- Any Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 2 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 3701 | Professional Preparation | 3 |
| THTR 3763 | Scene Design or Lighting Design or Costume Design or Topics in Theatre | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 37XX/48XX Elective | 3 | |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective -- Any Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 4898 | Senior Project | 3 |
| THTR 37XX/48XX elective | 3 | |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective - Natural Science with Lab | 4 | |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 13 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 121-123 | |
Design Tech Concentration
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 1559 | Production Design for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| THTR 1560 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 1585 | Acting 1: Fundamentals | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| General Education | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar or Youngstown State University Success Seminar or Intro to Honors | 1-2 |
| ENGL 1550 or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 or Writing 1 with Support | 3-4 |
| Semester Hours | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 1561 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| Choose one from ART 1501, ART 1541, or ART 1542 | 3 | |
| Choose one from THTR 3763, THTR 3765, THTR 3769 or THTR 2607 | 3 | |
| General Education | ||
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Any Gen Ed Math (Recommend MATH 2623) | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 1563 | Costume Construction and Craft | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THTR 3768 | Script Analysis for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 2661 | Introduction to Stage Management | 3 |
| Choose one from ART 1501, ART 1541, ART 1542 *ART 1501 is a requirement | 3 | |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective - Social Science | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 2640 | Theatre History | 3 |
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 3761 | Stage Makeup | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| Choose one not already taken from the following: THTR 3763, THTR 3765, THTR 3769, or THTR 2607 | 3 | |
| Choose one from MCOM 2624 or MCOM 2683 | 3 | |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective - Natural Science | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 4899 | Topics in Theatre | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 3764 | History of Stage Costume | 3 |
| Choose one not already taken from THTR 3763, THTR 3765, THTR 3769, or THTR 2607 | 3 | |
| THTR 37XX/48XX Elective | 3 | |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 1 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| General Education | ||
| PSYC 1560 | General Psychology | 3 |
| General Education Elective -- Any Gen Ed | 3 | |
| General Education Elective -- Any Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 2 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 13 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 3701 | Professional Preparation | 3 |
| THTR 3763 | Scene Design or Lighting Design or Costume Design or Introduction to Puppetry | 3 |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective -- Any Gen Ed | 3 | |
| General Education Elective - Arts & Humanities | 3 | |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 4898 | Senior Project | 3 |
| THTR 37XX/48XX elective | 3 | |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective - Natural Science with Lab | 4 | |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 13 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 120-122 | |
Musical Theatre Concentration
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 1559 | Production Design for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| THTR 1560 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 1585 | Acting 1: Fundamentals | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| MTVC 1501 | Voice Musical Theatre 1 Only for Musical Theatre Track | 2 |
| General Education | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar or Youngstown State University Success Seminar or Intro to Honors | 1-2 |
| ENGL 1550 or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 or Writing 1 with Support | 3-4 |
| Semester Hours | 16-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 1561 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 2667 | Acting 2: Character Creation & Scene Work | 3 |
| MTVC 1502 | Voice Musical Theatre 2 | 2 |
| DNCE 1571 or DNCE 1572 | 1 | |
| General Education | ||
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Any Gen Ed Math (Recommend MATH 2623) | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 1563 | Costume Construction and Craft | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THTR 3768 | Script Analysis for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 3772 | Acting 3: Advanced Character Study & Repertoire Acquisition | 3 |
| MTVC 2601 | Adv Voice Musical Theatre 1 | 2 |
| DNCE 1571 or DNCE 1572 (whichever not already taken) | 1 | |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective - Social Science | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 2640 | Theatre History | 3 |
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 3761 | Stage Makeup | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 2601 | Singing Styles | 1 |
| MTVC 2602 | Adv Voice Musical Theatre 2 | 2 |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective - Natural Science | 3 | |
| General Education Elective - Arts & Humanities | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 4899 | Topics in Theatre | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| THTR 3762 | Directing 1 | 3 |
| DNCE 2671 or DNCE 2673 | 2 | |
| MTVC 3701 | Voice | 2 |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 1 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| MTVC 3702 | Voice | 2 |
| General Education | ||
| PSYC 1560 | General Psychology | 3 |
| General Education Elective -- Any Gen Ed | 3 | |
| General Education Elective -- Any Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 2 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 3701 | Professional Preparation | 3 |
| THTR 3763 | Scene Design or Lighting Design or Costume Design or Introduction to Puppetry | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| MTVC 4801 | Voice | 2 |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective -- Any Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Theatre Core | ||
| THTR 4898 | Senior Project | 3 |
| THTR 37XX/48XX elective | 3 | |
| General Education | ||
| General Education Elective - Natural Science with Lab | 4 | |
| Certificate or Minor | ||
| Certificate/Minor Course 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 13 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 121-123 | |
Learning Outcomes
- Public Performances: Students demonstrate competence in the creation and presentation of public theatre events as performers and demonstrate the ability to act, i.e. to project one's self believably, in work and action, into imaginary circumstances and roles in a wide range of styles and formats.
- Knowledge of History and Cultural Dimensions: Students demonstrate knowledge of the history and cultural influences of and upon the institution of theatre throughout the ages.
- Informed Assessments of Quality: Students demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate works of theatre.
- Critical Thinking: Students demonstrate the ability to define a desired goal in creating a work of theatre and find solutions to achieve that goal.
- Collaboration – Students implement and coordinate communication skills, creativity, and organizational skills required to develop effective teamwork and achieve a unified goal. Individual accountability to the team is fostered as part of the collaborative effort. Students will assimilate multiple views to deepen knowledge and promote critical thinking.