Mission Statement
The Department of Theatre and Speech combines performance and production activities within a liberal arts environment to develop collaborative artists, while serving the community. By providing a strong foundation in the traditions and disciplines of theatre, the academic program encourages the artists to take risks, make compelling choices, and think independently. Our goal is to produce graduates who bring an informed awareness of the world to their art, while preparing them for a variety of career paths.
Department of Theatre and Speech Expectations
(As outlined by National Association of Schools of Theatre.)
1. The ability to think conceptually and critically about text, performance and production.
2. An understanding of playwriting and production processes, aesthetic properties of style,
and the way these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural forces.
3. An acquaintance with a wide selection of theatre repertory including the principal eras,
genres, and cultural sources.
4. The ability to develop and defend informed judgments about theatre.
General Profile
Programs
Students majoring in Theatre may earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in a program that combines intensive performance and production work within a strong liberal arts environment. Our goal is to produce graduates capable not only of bringing an informed awareness of the contemporary world to their art and craft, but also strong individuals who have options to use their education in a variety of career choices both in and outside the professional theatre. Several of our students have taken advantage of the opportunity for exposure to life and art outside of the United States through an exchange program with Masaryk University in the Czech Republic.
The Theatre Curriculum
In addition to a diverse university education curriculum, students majoring in theatre receive a carefully structured sequence of theatre courses including acting and directing, design and production, theatre history, literature, and criticism. The student day is typically divided into three parts:
For a complete list of course requirements for a Theatre major, visit the course catalog.
MAJOR AND UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM
(Typically morning and early afternoons)
Core curriculum includes:
- Play Analysis
- Practice & Theory
- Design for the Theatre
- Acting I
- Theatre History (2 semesters)
- Directing
- Advanced and Directed Studies
In the junior and senior year especially, but earlier when interests and aptitude are apparent, course work and applied production work in areas of focus or specialty are offered. A minimum of nine semester hours of advanced coursework is required for the degree. - Production and Performance
A minimum of six semesters of Production and Performance (full involvement in University Theatre productions) are required. - Electives
The Department offers elective coursework in dance, voice and diction, musical theatre, modern theatre and drama, playwriting, and film.
STUDIOS
(Typically early afternoons. A minimum of six semesters are required.)
Conservatory-like training sessions including performance workshops, rehearsals for studio projects, and master classes taught by guest artists. Guest artists have included The Saratoga International Theatre Institute, The Acting Company, Atlanta's Actors' Express, The National Theatre of the Deaf, the Alvin Ailey Repertory Dance Company, the Asolo Theatre Company, the Alley Theatre, the Shaking Ray Levi Society (composers and musicians) and DAMU (Czech National Theatre Academy, Prague). Individual guest artists have been Sally Nemeth, (playwright), Lee Abraham (acting teacher), Gordon Peacock (directing teacher), Orlin Corey (producer and publisher of plays). Jonathan Wilson (an award-winning director), and Steve Scott (professional director), and Jeff Atkins (award winning actor), Tim Miller and Holly Hughes (nationally known performance artists,) Kofi and Rebakah Mawuko (choreographers.)
PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE
(Late afternoon and/or evening. See below)
Practical application of skills in the development of theatrical productions for public performance. Production work in scenery, costumes, lighting, sound etc.; publicity and marketing is typically scheduled in late afternoon sessions on specified days. Rehearsals for fully mounted productions are usually scheduled during evening sessions. Students will be involved in rehearsal or in production studios for each University Theatre production during their minimum six semesters of enrollment in Performance and Production labs.
Department Handbook
The UTC Department of Theatre and Speech recommends that students familiarize themselves with our Handbook. To view the Handbook in PDF file format, click here.
ADJUNCT EVALUATIONS AND EXPECTATION POLICIES
Adjunct faculty can view policies in PDF file format, click here.
ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM
General Education
Courses in the humanities and fine arts, science and mathematics, behavioral and social sciences, written and oral communications, and foreign languages is required by the University for a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Minor
University departments offer a wide variety of minors. Required for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
Department Reading List
The UTC Department of Theatre and Speech recommends each student read a wide range of plays. To view the READING LIST in PDF file format, click here.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Students graduating in Theatre have several options for careers. Those seeking professional careers in theatre find encouragement and assistance from the department in securing internships with professional companies throughout the country or places in strong graduate programs. Students have been awarded internships at such Tony Award winning institutions as the Goodman and Steppenwolf Theatres in Chicago, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival; at the Williamstown and Berkshire Theatre Festivals in Massachusetts; Wooly Mammoth in Washington, D.C., Actor's Theatre of Louisville, the Houston Shakespeare Festival, and the Heritage Theatre Festival in Virginia. Recent graduates have worked in the film and television industry in Los Angeles; professional theatres in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Washington; and in graduate schools in theatre and film. Others have opted for non-theatrical careers in law, education, business, and banking.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED:
Members of the theatre faculty would be happy to provide you with additional information about the program and to lead you on a brief tour of the facilities. Please feel free to e-mail Theatre-Speech@utc.edu the departmental office (423) 425-4374 or to write to the address listed below:
Department of Theatre & Speech #1401
323 Fine Arts Building
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
615 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37403
