The Theater minor requires 38 credits. It is designed for students who are interested in extending and deepening their exploration of Theater Arts. Theater is inherently cross disciplinary. Its sub-disciplines include acting, directing, design, playwriting, and literary analysis. The Minor has four tracks and two required courses. Students may choose one track or a combination of tracks to arrive at the minimum of 38 credits.

1. Two required courses:

  • THEA 225: Theater History and Theory
  • THEA 242: Modern American Drama · not offered in 2024-25

2. One of the following tracks:

Acting:

18 credits, one course must be THEA 110 or THEA 195 and 12 additional credits from the list. Other courses may be used with approval of the minor coordinator.

  • CLAS 116: Greek Drama in Performance
  • THEA 110: Beginning Acting
  • THEA 185: The Speaking Voice
  • THEA 195: Acting Shakespeare
  • THEA 314: Advanced Acting · not offered in 2024-25
  • THEA 345: Devised Theater and Collective Creation · not offered in 2024-25

Directing:

18 credits, all three of these courses are required

  • THEA 115: Principles of Design · not offered in 2024-25
  • THEA 245: Directing
  • THEA 345: Devised Theater and Collective Creation · not offered in 2024-25

Design:

18 credits, one course must be THEA 115 and 12 additional credits from the list. Other courses may be used with the approval of the minor coordinator.

  • THEA 115: Principles of Design · not offered in 2024-25
  • THEA 229: Makeup Design · not offered in 2024-25
  • THEA 234: Lighting Design for the Performing Arts
  • THEA 237: Scenic Design for the Performing Arts · not offered in 2024-25
  • THEA 238: Costume Design for the Performing Arts
  • THEA 257: Costume Pattern Development · not offered in 2024-25
  • THEA 320: Live Performance and Digital Media · not offered in 2024-25

Playwriting and Research:

18 credits, one course must be THEA 246 and 12 additional credits from the list. Other courses may be used with approval of the minor coordinator.

  • ENGL 144: Shakespeare I
  • ENGL 214: Revenge Tragedy · not offered in 2024-25
  • ENGL 258: Playwrights of Color: Taking the Stage · not offered in 2024-25
  • RUSS 351: Chekhov · not offered in 2024-25
  • THEA 246: Playwriting · not offered in 2024-25
  • THEA 255: August Wilson: History and the Blues · not offered in 2024-25

3. Six course credits outside the chosen sub-disciplinary track approved by the minor coordinator or department chair.

4. Two credits of THEA 190 Carleton Players Production

         or

    Three credits of THEA 199 Theater Practicum.

A student participating in a department production is automatically enrolled in THEA 190, which is allotted one academic credit. Students with significant roles in a production can earn three credits in THEA 199 with permission and must waitlist for the class.