Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

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As a theatre major, you’ll gain experience in three major areas: acting, teaching, and technical aspects, which include lighting, costume, and design. You’ll learn about movement and voice, practice your skills, and perform for live audiences.

Request Info Curriculum & Requirements

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Theatre Major, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Theatre majors are expected to complete a senior thesis and participate in the public performance program offered by the Theatre Program.

World Language Requirement: Two years of a single high school world language or one year of a single college-level world language is required.

Required Courses
THTR 110
& 110L		MOVEMENT AND VOICE
and MOVEMENT AND VOICE LAB		3
THTR/HUMN 202THEATRE IN THE HUMANITIES (satisfies a general university requirement for Humanities, Fine Arts)5
THTR 210
& 210L		ACTING I
and ACTING I LAB		4
THTR 226STAGE MAKE-UP1
THTR/HUMN 303SURVEY OF THEATRE HISTORY5
THTR 310
& 310L		ACTING II
and ACTING II LAB		4
THTR 330
& 330L		STAGE COSTUME
and STAGE COSTUME LAB		3
THTR 331 THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY I5
THTR 332THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY II5
THTR 338CONCEPTS OF THEATRICAL DESIGN3
THTR 380THEATRE EXPERIENCE (must be repeated four times)4
THTR 412
& 412L		ACTING: THE PROFESSION
and ACTING: THE PROFESSION LAB		4
or THTR 430 THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY III
THTR 421
& 421L		DIRECTING I
and DIRECTING I LAB		4
THTR 422
& 422L		DIRECTING II
and DIRECTING II LAB		4
Electives–choose from the following8
Note: students can use selective THTR 496 courses as electives with permission of the program director.
SCREENPLAY ANALYSIS
and SCREENPLAY ANALYSIS SCREENING/LAB
FUND OF MUSIC/DANCE THEATRE
and FUND OF MUSIC/DANCE THEATRE LAB
SPECIAL SKILLS FOR ACTORS (may be repeated for credit when topic varies)
STAGE LIGHTING DESIGN
ACTING WORKSHOP: VARIABLE TOPICS (may be repeated for credit when topic varies)
FIBER AND TEXTILES
SPECIAL STUDIES
ACTING III
and ACTING III LAB
ACTING: THE PROFESSION
and ACTING: THE PROFESSION LAB
THEATRE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY III
SCENE DESIGN
TOPICS IN THEATRE
FIELD EXPERIENCE IN THEATRE
DIRECTED STUDY
Required Senior Thesis
THTR 491SENIOR THESIS PROJECT5
Total Credits67

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

This major requires the completion of the World Language requirement.  Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree must complete two years of a single language in high school or one year of a single language in college.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015MATH 1075
THTR 110
& 110L		3THTR 210
& 210L		4THTR 310
& 310L		4
THTR 202 (Humanities & Arts BACR 1)5THTR 3801THTR 3801
THTR 3801Social Science BACR 115Social Science BACR 215
Elective - minor or general elective1  
 15 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
THTR 3315THTR 2261THTR 3035
THTR 3383THTR 3325THTR 330
& 330L		3
THTR 3801Diversity - graduation requirement15Humanities & Arts BACR 215
Natural Science BACR 115Natural Science BACR 215Elective - minor or general elective2
 14 16 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
Global Studies - graduation requirement15THTR 412
& 412L		4Theater Elective25
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
 Elective - minor or general elective1 
 15 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
THTR 421
& 421L		4THTR 422
& 422L		4THTR 491 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)5
Theater Elective25Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5Elective - minor or general elective5
Elective - minor or general elective1Elective - minor or general elective1 
 15 15 15
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Theater Electives - choose 8 credits from the approved list. Students can use selective THTR 496 courses as electives with permission of the program director.

University Competencies and Proficiencies

English 
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
Placement and Clearance 
Prior Learning/Sources of Credit AP, CLEP, IB

General Education Requirements (GER)

  • Minimum Credits—180 cumulative credit hours 
    • 60 upper-division credits (300 level or above)
    • 45 credits in residence (attendance) at Eastern, with at least 15 upper-division credits in major in residence at Eastern
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA ≥2.0

Breadth Area Core Requirements (BACR)

Humanities and Arts 
Natural Sciences 
Social Sciences

University Graduation Requirements (UGR)

Diversity Course List
World Language (for Bachelor of Arts)
Global Studies Course List
Minor or Certificate
Senior Capstone Course List

Application for Graduation (use EagleNET) must be made at least two terms in advance of the term expected to graduate (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate).

Use the Catalog Archives to determine two important catalog years.

  1. The catalog in effect at the student's first term of current matriculation is used to determine BACR (Breadth Area Core Requirements) and UGR (Undergraduate Graduation Requirements).
  2. The catalog in effect at the time the student declares a major or minor is used to determine the program requirements.

Students who earn a BA in Theatre from EWU should be able to:

  • analyze a play’s dramatic action;
  • apply fundamental principles of theatrical design;
  • demonstrate collaborative skills in the creation of theatrical work;
  • demonstrate professional acting techniques for the stage;
  • demonstrate professional directing techniques for the stage.

Applied Learning Opportunities

EWU theatre student performance

  • Applied Laboratory Work: Build technical and performance skills in specialized labs for acting, movement and voice, stage costume design, and directing.
  • Classroom-Based Applied Learning/Simulation: Develop career-ready skills through simulations, role-playing, and problem-solving in the classroom
  • Field Experience: Apply your skills in professional theatre environments through production, performance, or arts management experiences beyond campus.
  • Internships: Get real-world experience (and often credit or pay) by working in a professional setting connected to your career goals.
  • Performance: Showcase your skills and creative work through live productions, shows, and film screenings.
  • Student Employment & Leadership at EWU: Gain skills, connections, and confidence through on-campus jobs and leadership roles in student government, departments, or clubs.
  • Study Abroad: Travel, learn, and experience new cultures while earning credit and building communication skills that help you thrive anywhere.

Sample Courses

THTR 226. STAGE MAKE-UP. 1 Credit.

Laboratory covers basic and advanced techniques and principles of straight and character make-up.

Catalog Listing

THTR 338. CONCEPTS OF THEATRICAL DESIGN. 3 Credits.

A beginning course in the styles, history, and examples of theatrical scenic design.

Catalog Listing

FILM 221. SCREENPLAY ANALYSIS. 3 Credits.

Notes: offered fall quarter.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201. Corequisite: FILM 221L.
The study of narrative structures in the filmic arts. Topics include story structure, character, plot, theme, story world, symbol, scenes, and dialogue. Three hours of lecture, five hours of screening per week. Companion course to FILM 221L.

Catalog Listing

Career Possibilities

  • Actor (theater, film, or television)
  • Voice Actor
  • Stunt Performer
  • Musical Theater Performer
  • Commercial Actor
  • Improv Artist
  • Tour Performer
  • On-Camera Presenter

  • Theatre Director
  • Assistant Director (film or stage)
  • Playwright
  • Screenwriter
  • Creative Director
  • Dramaturg
  • Script Supervisor
  • Script Consultant

  • Stage Manager
  • Lighting Designer
  • Sound Designer
  • Set Designer
  • Costume Designer
  • Props Master
  • Makeup Artist 
  • Technical Director

  • Theater Producer
  • Arts Administrator
  • Casting Director
  • Talent Agent
  • Event Manager 
  • Program Coordinator 
  • Artistic Director
  • Nonprofit Arts Manager

  • Theatre Workshop Facilitator
  • Educational Outreach Specialist
  • Community Arts Coordinator
  • Youth Theatre Director
  • Drama Therapist 
  • Theater Camp Director
  • Academic Advisor

  • Film Production Assistant
  • Production Coordinator
  • Dialogue Coach
  • Film Editor
  • Art Director
  • Sound Editor
  • Storyboard Artist
  • Creative Producer

  • Public Relations Specialist 
  • Social Media Manager 
  • Events Coordinator
  • Fundraising Manager 
  • Audience Engagement Specialist
  • Content Creator 
  • Marketing Manager 
  • Sponsorship Coordinator

  • Scenic Artist
  • Theatrical Illustrator
  • Costume Constructor
  • Concept Designer
  • Thematic Designer 
  • Exhibition Designer 
  • Video Projection Designer
  • Multimedia Content Creator

  • Community Theater Director
  • Arts Advocacy Specialist
  • Grant Writer 
  • Community Program Director 
  • Nonprofit Administrator 
  • Volunteer Coordinator 
  • Cultural Outreach Organizer
  • Arts Accessibility Coordinator

  • Corporate Trainer
  • Presentation Coach
  • Team-Building Facilitator
  • Storytelling Consultant
  • Sales Specialist 
  • Creative Project Manager
  • Leadership Development Coach
  • Human Resources Specialist

  • Cruise Ship Performer
  • Entertainment Manager 
  • Tour Guide 
  • Entertainment Director 
  • Cultural Event Planner
  • Live Show Coordinator
  • Performer Liaison
  • Event Designer

A Theatre major involves more than just lights, scripts, and curtain calls. It blends artistic creativity, technical expertise, and collaboration to bring stories to life.

You’ll build skills in acting, directing, design, stage management, and technical theater. You’ll also sharpen your ability to communicate, problem-solve, and think on your feet.

This versatile degree prepares graduates for dynamic careers both on and off the stage. Whether your passion is performing, producing, or organizing the chaos backstage, you can pursue a career in the arts—and beyond.

You may go on to work in entertainment, education, arts leadership, public relations, and even business. Your storytelling and creative skills will help you stand out in any field.

Explore Theatre major careers:

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