University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

BFA in Theatre Arts

BFA graduates can find career opportunities as craft or fine artists, multimedia artists, actors, art directors, art teachers, managers, marketing associates, sound and light engineers, carpenters, editors,  or writers.  The national average salary for actors and performers is $61, 830. Average national salary of theatrical designer is $73, 691. 

Marketable Skills

Students will develop:

  • Confidence: Be self-assured through appreciating your own talents, abilities, skills, and qualities
  • Global awareness: Understand and appreciate people, cultures, and ideas from around the world that impact our community
  • Leadership: Step up, think, and act critically and creatively to bring others together to accomplish a common task
  • Social responsibility: Act ethically and responsibly for the benefit of society and the public good
  • Teamwork: Participate as an effective, efficient member of a group in order to meet a common goal
  • Time management: Prioritize goals and organize time to be more productive and efficient.

Additionally, students will learn:

  • Conflict resolution
  • Creative problem solving
  • Empathy
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Pedagogy: specifically radical, embodied and empathic pedagogy 

Degree Plan

Required Credits: 120

University Core Curriculum
Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. 42
BFA Theatre Arts Major
Required Courses:
THEA 1303Voice and Speech I3
THEA 2301Principles of Scenery3
THEA 2303Acting Fundamentals3
THEA 3305Lighting and Sound Principles3
THEA 3312Performing Arts Management3
THEA 3322Script Analysis3
THEA 3323Stage Management3
THEA 3325Directing I3
THEA 3341Principles of Costuming3
THEA 3351Theatre Hist and Literature I3
Select three hours from the following:
THEA 2110Scenery Practicum1
THEA 2111Costume Practicum1
THEA 2112Lighting Practicum1
THEA 2113Box Office Practicum1
THEA 2114Dinner Theatre Practicum1
Concentration
Select one of the following concentrations45-48
Total Hours120

Concentrations

Design and Technology 

Required Courses:
THEA 2302Rendering for Theatre Design3
THEA 2304Theatre Graphics & Technology3
THEA 3306Scene Design3
THEA 3332Lighting Programming3
THEA 3340History of Costume Design3
THEA 3342Lighting Design3
THEA 3344Costume Design3
THEA 3352Theatre Hist and Literature II3
THEA 4305Arts Entrepreneurship3
THEA 4352Production Capstone3
Concentration Elective15
Select 15 combined credit hours from the following
Any THEA Upper Division, except 4304
Sound Sequence: MUST 1215, MUST 1311, MUST 3315, THEA 3111
Non-Theatre Upper Division Elective I
Non-Theatre Upper Division Elective II
Non-Theatre Upper Division Elective III

Performance

Required Courses:
THEA 1304Movement I3
THEA 3304Acting for Majors I3
THEA 3307Voice and Speech II3
THEA 3308Movement II3
THEA 3313Acting for Majors II3
THEA 3314Acting for the Camera3
THEA 3316Audition Techniques3
THEA 3319Voice and Speech III3
THEA 4307Acting for Majors III3
THEA 4313Acting Shakespeare3
THEA 4353Performance Capstone3
Core Electives:
Select 12 combined credit hours of the following:12
Any THEA Upper Division Course
Any Non-THEA Upper Division Elective I, II, III

Musical Theatre

Required Courses:
DANC 1341Ballet I3
DANC 1345Contemporary I3
DANC 3348American Dance Forms - Jazz3
DANC 4371Amer Dance Forms-Music Theatre3
THEA 1100Voice for Musical Theatre (Complete three semesters)3
THEA 1304Movement I3
THEA 3304Acting for Majors I3
THEA 3316Audition Techniques3
THEA 3330Musical Theatre Technique (Complete three semesters)9
THEA 4114MT Rehearsal and Performance1
THEA 4353Performance Capstone3
Electives:
Select 8-9 combined credits of the following:
DANC 1342Ballet II3
DANC 3349Hip Hop Dance I3
THEA 3307Voice and Speech II3
THEA 3308Movement II3
THEA 3314Acting for the Camera3
THEA 4305Arts Entrepreneurship3
THEA 4313Acting Shakespeare3
Any THEA Upper Division Course
Any Non-THEA Upper Division Elective I, II, III

Stage and Theatre Management

Required Courses:
THEA 2302Rendering for Theatre Design3
THEA 2304Theatre Graphics & Technology3
THEA 3306Scene Design3
THEA 3332Lighting Programming3
THEA 3342Lighting Design3
THEA 3344Costume Design3
THEA 3352Theatre Hist and Literature II3
THEA 3387Leadership in Perf. Arts Org.3
THEA 4305Arts Entrepreneurship3
THEA 4351Management Capstone3
Core Elective
Select 15 combined credit hours from below:15
Any THEA Upper Division, except 4304
Sound Sequence: MUST 1215, MUST 1311, MUST 3315, THEA 3111
Non-Theatre Upper Division Elective I
Non-Theatre Upper Division Elective II
Non-Theatre Upper Division Elective III

University Core Curriculum (A program may recommend specific courses. All courses require a C or better.)

I. Communication (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively. Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility.
Select six hours of the following:6
For students whose secondary education was in English:
Written and Oral Communication
Writing About Literature
Rhetoric & Composition I
Rhetoric & Composition 2
Rhetoric, Composition & Comm
For students whose secondary education was not in English:
Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl
Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl
TOTAL HOURS6

II. American History (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on the consideration of past events and ideas relative to the United States, with the option of including Texas History for a portion of this component area. Courses involve the interaction among individuals, communities, states, the nation, and the world, considering how these interactions have contributed to the development of the United States and its global role. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility.
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
TOTAL HOURS6

III. Language, Philosophy & Culture (three hours)

Courses in this category focus on how ideas, values, beliefs, and other aspects of culture express and affect human experience. Courses involve the exploration of ideas that foster aesthetic and intellectual creation in order to understand the human condition across cultures. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility.
Select one of the following:3
Intro-African Amer Studies
Latina/o Presence in the U.S.
English Literature
English Literature
Intro to American Fiction
Intro to American Drama
Intro to American Poetry
Making of the "Other" Americas
World History to 1500
World History Since 1500
Introduction to Philosophy
Ethics
Introduct to Religious Studies
Seeing & Naming: Conversations
Introduction to Womens Studies
Global Feminisms
TOTAL HOURS3

IV. Mathematics (three hours)

Courses in this category focus on quantitative literacy in logic, patterns, and relationships. Courses involve the understanding of key mathematical concepts and the application of appropriate quantitative tools to everyday experience. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, and Empirical & Quantitative Skills.
Select one of the following:3
College Algebra
Trigonometry and Conics
Math in the Modern World
Math for Social Sciences I
Calculus I
Precalculus
Math for Social Sciences II
Statistical Literacy
Elementary Statistical Methods
TOTAL HOURS3

V. Life & Physical Sciences (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on describing, explaining, and predicting natural phenomena using the scientific method. Courses involve the understanding of interactions among natural phenomena and the implications of scientific principles on the physical world and on experiences. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Empirical & Quantitative Skills, and Teamwork.
Select one of the following:
Astronomy Lab I
Elem Astronomy-Solar System
Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies
Introductory Biology Lab
Human Biology Laboratory
Topics in Study of Life I
Organismal Biology Laboratory
Introductory Biology
Human Biology
General Biology
Organismal Biology
Human Anat/Physio Lab I
Human Anat/Physio Lab II
Human Anat/Physiology I
Human Anat/Physiology II
Laboratory for CHEM 1305
Laboratory for CHEM 1306
Intro General Chemistry Lab
Intro Organic & Biochem Lab
General Chemistry
General Chemistry
Intro to General Chemistry
Intro Organic & Biochemistry
Environmental Sci. Lab
Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301
Intro to Environmental Sci
Laboratory for GEOG 1306
Physical Geography
Lab for GEOL 1313
Lab for GEOL 1314
Principles of Earth Sci - Lab
Laboratory for Geology 1212
Principles of Earth Sciences
Principles of Earth Science
The Blue Planet
Natural Hazards
Intro to Physical Geology
Intro to Historical Geol
Fundamentals of Nutrition
Wellness Dynamics
Microorganisms and Disease
General Physics I
General Physics II
Laboratory for PHYS 2320
Laboratory for PHYS 2321
Introductory Mechanics
Introductory Electromagnetism
TOTAL HOURS6

VI. Political Science (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on consideration of the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the states, with special emphasis on that of Texas. Courses involve the analysis of governmental institutions, political behavior, civic engagement, and their political and philosophical foundations. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility and Personal Responsibility.
Required Courses:
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
TOTAL HOURS6

VII. Social & Behavioral Sciences (three hours)

Courses in this category focus on the application of empirical and scientific methods that contribute to the understanding of what makes us human. Courses involve the exploration of behavior and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, and events, examining their impact on the individual, society, and culture. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Empirical & Quantitative Skills, and Social Responsibility.
Select one of the following:3
Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog
Intro-Cultural Anthropology
Cultural Geography
Intro to Linguistics
Asian American Studies
Econ for Engrs & Scientists
Intro to Chicano Studies
Interpersonal Communication
Mass Media and Society
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Introduction to Ed Psychology
Action Research in Classrooms
Introduction to Linguistics
Cultural Geography
Leadership in Action
Introduction to Linguistics
Lang. Inside & Out: Sel Topics
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Cultural Geography
TOTAL HOURS3

VIII. Creative Arts

Courses in this category focus on the appreciation and analysis of creative artifacts and works of the human imagination. Courses involve the synthesis and interpretation of artistic expression and enable critical, creative, and innovative communication about works of art. Course objectives for this component are: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility.
Select one of the following:3
Art Appreciation
History of Art I
History of Art II
Chicana/o Fine Arts Appreciat
Introduction to Dance
Intro-Art of Motion Pict.
Music Appreciation
Jazz to Rock
Music, Culture, and Society
Introduction to Theatre
TOTAL HOURS3

IX. Component Area Option (six hours)

a. A minimum of 3 SCH must meet the definition and corresponding Core Objectives specified in one of the foundational component areas. b. As an option for up to 3 semester credit hours of the Component Area Option, an institution may select course(s) that: (i) Meet(s) the definition specified for one or more of the foundational component areas; and (ii) Include(s) a minimum of three Core Objectives, including Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, and one of the remaining Core Objectives of the institution's choice.
Intro to Global Business
COMM 1301Public Speaking3
Business/Profession Comm
Intro-Computational Thinking
Computer Programming Sci/Engr
Eng Innovation and Leadership
Engineering Design Experience
Applied Engineering Analysis
Introduction to Leadership
Inquiry in Math & Science
Comm. Var. Across the Lifespan
Seminar/Critical Inquiry
TOTAL HOURS6

4-Year Sample Degree Plan

Design and Technology 

BFA in THEATRE
FRESHMAN
Fall
RWS 1301Rhetoric & Composition I3
Core-Component Area Option3
THEA 3305Lighting and Sound Principles3
or THEA 2301 Principles of Scenery
THEA 1303Voice and Speech I3
or THEA 2303 Acting Fundamentals
Spring
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
RWS 1302Rhetoric & Composition 23
Core-Natural Sciences3
THEA 3305Lighting and Sound Principles3
or THEA 2301 Principles of Scenery
THEA 1303Voice and Speech I3
or THEA 2303 Acting Fundamentals
THEA Practicum Shop1
SOPHOMORE
Fall
Core-Creative Arts3
Core-Mathematics3
THEA 3341Principles of Costuming3
THEA 2302Rendering for Theatre Design3
THEA Practicum Shop1
THEA 3323Stage Management3
Spring
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
Core-Natural Sciences + Lab4
THEA 3342Lighting Design3
or THEA 3344 Costume Design
or THEA 3332 Lighting Programming
THEA Practicum Shop1
THEA 3351Theatre Hist and Literature I3
THEA 2304Theatre Graphics & Technology3
JUNIOR
Fall
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
THEA 3340History of Costume Design3
or THEA 3352 Theatre Hist and Literature II
THEA 4305Arts Entrepreneurship3
THEA 3306Scene Design3
Elective3
Spring
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
Language, Philosophy, and Culture Core3
THEA 3342Lighting Design3
or THEA 3344 Costume Design
or THEA 3332 Lighting Programming
THEA 3325Directing I3
Elective3
SENIOR
Fall
Component Area Option3
THEA 3340History of Costume Design3
or THEA 3352 Theatre Hist and Literature II
THEA 3312Performing Arts Management3
Elective3
Spring
THEA 3323Stage Management3
THEA 4353Performance Capstone3
THEA 3344Costume Design (If still needed)3
or THEA 3342 Lighting Design
or THEA 3332 Lighting Programming
Elective 3
Elective3
Total Hours121

Performance

BFA in THEATRE
FRESHMAN
Fall
RWS 1301Rhetoric & Composition I3
Core-Component Area Option3
THEA 3305Lighting and Sound Principles3
THEA 1303Voice and Speech I3
or THEA 2303 Acting Fundamentals
THEA 2303Acting Fundamentals3
Spring
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
RWS 1302Rhetoric & Composition 23
Core-Natural Sciences+Lab4
THEA Practicum Shop1
THEA 3304Acting for Majors I3
THEA 2301Principles of Scenery3
SOPHOMORE
Fall
Core-Component Area Option3
Core-Mathematics3
THEA Practicum Shop1
THEA 3313Acting for Majors II3
THEA 1304Movement I3
THEA 3322Script Analysis3
Spring
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
Core-Natural Sciences3
Core-Creative Arts3
THEA 3308Movement II3
THEA 3307Voice and Speech II3
JUNIOR
Fall
Core-Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
THEA 3324Stage Combat3
or THEA 4313 Acting Shakespeare
THEA 4307Acting for Majors III3
THEA Practicum Shop1
THEA Elective3
Spring
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
THEA 3308Movement II3
or THEA 3316 Audition Techniques
THEA 3319Voice and Speech III3
THEA 3325Directing I3
SENIOR
Fall
THEA 3305Lighting and Sound Principles3
or THEA 3341 Principles of Costuming
THEA 3324Stage Combat3
or THEA 4313 Acting Shakespeare
THEA 3312Performing Arts Management3
THEA 3314Acting for the Camera3
THEA Elective3
Spring
THEA 3323Stage Management3
THEA 4353Performance Capstone3
THEA 3351Theatre Hist and Literature I3
THEA Elective3
Total Hours121

Musical Theatre

BFA in THEATRE
FRESHMAN
Fall
RWS 1301Rhetoric & Composition I3
Core-Component3
THEA 1303Voice and Speech I3
DANC 1341Ballet I3
THEA 1304Movement I3
THEA 1100Voice for Musical Theatre1
Spring
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
Core-Creative Arts3
Core-Mathematics3
THEA 2303Acting Fundamentals3
THEA Practicum Shop1
DANC 3348American Dance Forms - Jazz3
SOPHOMORE
Fall
RWS 1302Rhetoric & Composition 23
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
THEA 1100Voice for Musical Theatre1
DANC 1345Contemporary I3
THEA 2301Principles of Scenery3
THEA 3322Script Analysis3
Spring
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
Core-Lab Science4
THEA 3304Acting for Majors I3
THEA 3330Musical Theatre Technique3
DANC 4371Amer Dance Forms-Music Theatre3
JUNIOR
Fall
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
Core-Component3
Core-Science 3
THEA 3351Theatre Hist and Literature I3
THEA 3330Musical Theatre Technique3
THEA 4114MT Rehearsal and Performance1
Spring
Core-Language, Philosophy, and Culture3
Core-Social Behavior3
THEA 3330Musical Theatre Technique3
THEA 3316Audition Techniques3
THEA 3341Principles of Costuming3
Practicum - Shop1
SENIOR
Fall
THEA 3305Lighting and Sound Principles3
THEA 3312Performing Arts Management3
THEA 3351Theatre Hist and Literature I3
Elective3
Practicum - Shop1
Spring
THEA 3323Stage Management3
THEA 3325Directing I3
THEA 4353Performance Capstone3
THEA 1100Voice for Musical Theatre1
Elective 3
Total Hours122

Stage and Theatre Management

BFA in THEATRE
FRESHMAN
Fall
RWS 1301Rhetoric & Composition I3
Core-Component Area Option3
THEA 3305Lighting and Sound Principles3
or THEA 2301 Principles of Scenery
THEA 1303Voice and Speech I3
or THEA 2303 Acting Fundamentals
Spring
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
RWS 1302Rhetoric & Composition 23
THEA 3305Lighting and Sound Principles3
or THEA 2301 Principles of Scenery
THEA 1303Voice and Speech I3
or THEA 2303 Acting Fundamentals
THEA Practicum Shop1
THEA 3323Stage Management3
SOPHOMORE
Fall
Component Area Option3
Core-Mathematics3
Creative Arts Core3
THEA 2302Rendering for Theatre Design3
THEA 3322Script Analysis3
THEA Practicum Shop1
Spring
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
Core-Natural Sciences + Lab4
THEA 2304Theatre Graphics & Technology3
THEA 3332Lighting Programming3
or THEA 3342 Lighting Design
THEA 3351Theatre Hist and Literature I3
THEA Practicum Shop1
JUNIOR
Fall
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
Core-Natural Sciences3
Social and Behavioral Core3
THEA 3352Theatre Hist and Literature II3
THEA 3312Performing Arts Management3
THEA 3341Principles of Costuming3
Spring
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
Core-Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
THEA 3325Directing I3
THEA 3332Lighting Programming3
or THEA 3342 Lighting Design
Elective3
SENIOR
Fall
THEA 3387Leadership in Perf. Arts Org.3
THEA 4305Arts Entrepreneurship3
THEA 3306Scene Design3
Elective3
Elective3
Spring
THEA 3344Costume Design3
THEA 4351Management Capstone3
Elective3
Elective 3
Total Hours121