Theatre Arts
DILLARD UNIVERSITY THEATRE
Theatre is more than just lights and applause—it’s a transformative experience that shapes students into well-rounded individuals equipped with invaluable career skills.
As the oldest HBCU degree-granting theatre program in the country, we take great pride in our rigorous curriculum that offers two distinct degree plans: Performance and Theatre Technology. Whichever path you choose, you’ll be immersed in a comprehensive program that combines theory with practical experience, nurturing your creative and cultural expression.
At Dillard University, we believe in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where you can explore and enhance your artistic talents while developing the skills necessary for success in any field. Our dedicated faculty members, with their wealth of experience and expertise, are committed to helping you grow as a performer, technician, or creative professional.
Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
Mission
The Theatre program mission is to provide rigorous, professional training in a liberal arts context for future actors, directors, designers, managers, teachers, scholars, and related theatre practitioners. The program is committed to the aesthetics of Black theatre, creating a globally aware artist while identifying, sharing, and perpetuating the highest standards possible.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Analyze/Critique/Research plays for theatre productions.
- Act/Direct monologues/scenes/plays/theatre productions.
- Design/Operate technology and manage stage and theatre operations for theatre production.
- Recognize the interconnectedness of each of the production areas and how they must work in collaboration to create theatre.
Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts – Technology
Complete a total of 122 credit hours of coursework for graduation.
General Education Core – 41 credit hours
Major Requirements – 39 credit hours
Additional Coursework – 42 credit hours
Major Requirements
- SPT 100 – Script Analysis 3 cr.
- SPT 101 – Voice and Diction 3 cr.
- SPT 102 – Introduction to the Theatre 3 cr.
- SPT 200 – Modern Drama 3 cr.
- SPT 205 – Basic Acting 3 cr.
- SPT 208 – Theatre History I 3 cr.
- SPT 209 – Stagecraft I 3 cr.
- SPT 303 – Play Directing 3 cr.
- SPT 312 – Theatre History II 3 cr.
- SPT 317 – Theatre Management 3 cr.
- SPT 405 – African American Drama 3 cr.
- SPT 410 – Internship 3 cr.
- HUM 400 – Senior Portfolio 3 cr.
Additional Coursework
- ART 210 – Introduction to Basic Photography 3 cr.
- ART 216 – Introduction to Drawing 3 cr.
- ENG 403 – Shakespeare 3 cr.
- SPT 115 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 201 – Lighting and Sound Design 3 cr.
- SPT 210 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 215 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 216 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 300 – Special Topics in Theatre 3 cr.
- SPT 302 – Classical Drama 3 cr.
- SPT 304 – Stage Management 3 cr.
- SPT 307 – Scene Design 3 cr.
- SPT 308 – Stagecraft II 3 cr.
- SPT 309 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 310 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 401 – Special Topics in Theatre 3 cr.
- General Elective: 6 cr.
Theatre Arts – Technology Curriculum
First Year
First Semester
- AWS 100 – Survey of the African World 3 cr. ♦ or
- REL 208 – The Black Church in the U.S. 3 cr. ♦
- BIO 101 – Biological Sciences I 3 cr. ♦ or
- PHY 101 – Physical Sciences I 3 cr. ♦
- BIO 101L – Biology Sciences I Laboratory 1 cr. ♦ or
- PHY 101L – Physical Sciences I Laboratory 1 cr. ♦
- ENG 111 – Expository Writing 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 121 – Elementary French I 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 121 – Elementary Spanish I 3 cr. ♦
- FYS 101 – First Year Seminar I 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
- SPT 102 – Introduction to the Theatre 3 cr.
- UCO 101 – University Convocation I 0 cr. ♦
Total: 17
Second Semester
- ART 216 – Introduction to Drawing 3 cr.
- ENG 112 – Argument and Research 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 122 – Elementary French II 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 122 – Elementary Spanish II 3 cr. ♦
- FYS 102 – First Year Seminar II 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
- MAT 121 – College Algebra 3 cr. ♦
- UCO 102 – University Convocation II 0 cr.
- Physical Education Activity Elective 2 cr. ♦
- Social Sciences Elective 3 cr. ♦
Total: 18
Second Year
First Semester
- ENG 201 – Readings in World Literature I 3 cr. ♦ or
- ENG 202 – Readings in World Literature II 3 cr. ♦
- SPT 100 – Script Analysis 3 cr.
- SPT 101 – Voice and Diction 3 cr.
- SPT 115 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 205 – Basic Acting 3 cr.
- SPT 209 – Stagecraft I 3 cr.
Total: 16
Second Semester
- ECO 203 – Principles of Macroeconomics 3 cr. ♦
- ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination 0 cr. ***
- SPT 201 – Lighting and Sound Design 3 cr.
- SPT 210 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 304 – Stage Management 3 cr.
- Humanities Elective 3 cr. ♦
- Social Science Elective 3 cr. ♦
Total: 16
Third Year
First Semester
- ENG 403 – Shakespeare 3 cr.
- SPT 208 – Theatre History I 3 cr.
- SPT 215 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 302 – Classical Drama 3 cr.
- SPT 308 – Stagecraft II 3 cr.
- General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 16
Second Semester
- ART 210 – Introduction to Basic Photography 3 cr.
- SPT 200 – Modern Drama 3 cr.
- SPT 216 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 312 – Theatre History II 3 cr.
- SPT 317 – Theatre Management 3 cr.
Total: 13
Fourth Year
First Semester
- SPT 300 – Special Topics in Theatre 3 cr.
- SPT 307 – Scene Design 3 cr.
- SPT 309 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 405 – African American Drama 3 cr.
- SPT 410 – Internship 3 cr.
Total: 13
Second Semester
- HUM 400 – Senior Portfolio 3 cr.
- SPT 303 – Play Directing 3 cr.
- SPT 310 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 401 – Special Topics in Theatre 3 cr.
- General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 13
Total Required Hours: 122
*Service Learning: Students will earn a total of 30 service learning hours after successful completion of FYS 101 & FYS 102.
**Community Service: Students must contact the Office of Student Affairs for pre-approved community service project to earn a total of 90 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.
***Writing Proficiency Examination: Students must complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ to register for ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination. Students who fail to take or do not pass ENG 199 must take ENG 200 – Review of Writing Strategies (3 credit hours).
Note
Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
Mission
The Theatre program mission is to provide rigorous, professional training in a liberal arts context for future actors, directors, designers, managers, teachers, scholars, and related theatre practitioners. The program is committed to the aesthetics of Black theatre, creating a globally aware artist while identifying, sharing, and perpetuating the highest standards possible.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Analyze/Critique/Research plays for theatre productions.
- Act/Direct monologues/scenes/plays/theatre productions.
- Design/Operate technology and manage stage and theatre operations for theatre production.
- Recognize the interconnectedness of each of the production areas and how they must work in collaboration to create theatre.
Requirements for Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts – Performance
Complete a total of 122 credit hours of coursework for graduation.
General Education Core – 41 credit hours
Major Requirements – 39 credit hours
Additional Coursework – 42 credit hours
Major Requirements
- SPT 100 – Script Analysis 3 cr.
- SPT 101 – Voice and Diction 3 cr.
- SPT 102 – Introduction to the Theatre 3 cr.
- SPT 200 – Modern Drama 3 cr.
- SPT 205 – Basic Acting 3 cr.
- SPT 208 – Theatre History I 3 cr.
- SPT 209 – Stagecraft I 3 cr.
- SPT 303 – Play Directing 3 cr.
- SPT 312 – Theatre History II 3 cr.
- SPT 317 – Theatre Management 3 cr.
- SPT 405 – African American Drama 3 cr.
- SPT 410 – Internship 3 cr.
- HUM 400 – Senior Portfolio 3 cr.
Additional Coursework
- ENG 403 – Shakespeare 3 cr.
- MAT 204 – Introduction to Probability and Statistics 3 cr. or
- STA 205 – Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.
- SPT 115 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 210 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 211 – Acting I 3 cr.
- SPT 213 – Movement for the Actor 3 cr.
- SPT 215 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 216 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 302 – Classical Drama 3 cr.
- SPT 306 – Children’s Theatre 3 cr.
- SPT 309 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 310 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 400 – Acting Styles 3 cr.
- SPT 401 – Special Topics in Theatre 3 cr.
- English Literature (ENG) Elective: 3 cr.
- General Elective: 9 cr.
Theatre Arts – Performance Curriculum
First Year
First Semester
- AWS 100 – Survey of the African World 3 cr. ♦ or
- REL 208 – The Black Church in the U.S. 3 cr. ♦
- BIO 101 – Biological Sciences I 3 cr. ♦ or
- PHY 101 – Physical Sciences I 3 cr. ♦
- BIO 101L – Biology Sciences I Laboratory 1 cr. ♦ or
- PHY 101L – Physical Sciences I Laboratory 1 cr. ♦
- ENG 111 – Expository Writing 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 121 – Elementary French I 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 121 – Elementary Spanish I 3 cr. ♦
- FYS 101 – First Year Seminar I 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
- SPT 102 – Introduction to the Theatre 3 cr.
- UCO 101 – University Convocation I 0 cr. ♦
Total: 17
Second Semester
- ENG 112 – Argument and Research 3 cr. ♦
- FFR 122 – Elementary French II 3 cr. ♦ or
- FSP 122 – Elementary Spanish II 3 cr. ♦
- FYS 102 – First Year Seminar II 1 cr. / Service Learning ♦ *
- MAT 121 – College Algebra 3 cr. ♦
- SPT 101 – Voice and Diction 3 cr.
- UCO 102 – University Convocation II 0 cr. ♦
- Physical Education Activity Elective 2 cr. ♦
- Social Sciences Elective 3 cr. ♦
Total: 18
Second Year
First Semester
- ECO 203 – Principles of Macroeconomics 3 cr. ♦
- ENG 201 – Readings in World Literature I 3 cr. ♦ or
- ENG 202 – Readings in World Literature II 3 cr. ♦
- SPT 100 – Script Analysis 3 cr.
- SPT 115 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 205 – Basic Acting 3 cr.
- SPT 209 – Stagecraft I 3 cr.
Total: 16
Second Semester
- ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination 0 cr. ***
- MAT 204 – Introduction to Probability and Statistics 3 cr. or
- STA 205 – Foundation of Statistics 3 cr.
- SPT 200 – Modern Drama 3 cr.
- SPT 210 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 213 – Movement for the Actor 3 cr.
- Humanities Elective 3 cr. ♦
- Social Sciences Elective 3 cr. ♦
Total: 16
Third Year
First Semester
- ENG 403 – Shakespeare 3 cr.
- SPT 208 – Theatre History I 3 cr.
- SPT 215 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 302 – Classical Drama 3 cr.
- General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 16
Second Semester
- SPT 216 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 306 – Children’s Theatre 3 cr.
- SPT 312 – Theatre History II 3 cr.
- SPT 317 – Theatre Management 3 cr.
- English Literature (ENG) Elective 3 cr.
- SPT 211 – Acting I 3 cr.
Total: 13
Fourth Year
First Semester
- SPT 309 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- SPT 400 – Acting Styles 3 cr.
- SPT 401 – Special Topics in Theatre 3 cr.
- SPT 405 – African American Drama 3 cr.
- SPT 410 – Internship 3 cr.
Total: 13
Second Semester
- HUM 400 – Senior Portfolio 3 cr. (Senior Comprehensive)
- SPT 303 – Play Directing 3 cr.
- SPT 310 – Theatre Laboratory 1 cr.
- General Elective 3 cr.
- General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 13
Total Required Hours: 122
*Service Learning: Students will earn a total of 30 service learning hours after successful completion of FYS 101 & FYS 102 .
**Community Service: Students must contact the Office of Student Affairs for pre-approved community service project to earn a total of 90 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.
***Writing Proficiency Examination: Students must complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ to register for ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination. Students who fail to take or do not pass ENG 199 must take ENG 200 – Review of Writing Strategies (3 credit hours).
Note
Cortheal Clark, M.F.A.
cclark@dillard.edu
Associate Professor of Theatre
Rosemary Eminent Scholar in Humanities & Fine Arts
University Technical Director
Chairperson, School of Humanities
M.F.A. in Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology, California Institute of the Arts
Location: CK 122
Office: 504-816-4245
Raymond Vrazel, B.A.
rvrazel@dillard.edu
Assistant Professor of Theatre
B.A. in Theatre, Spring Hill College
Location: Ck 145C
School of Humanities
Office: 504.816.4536
