The B.F.A. with a major in Theatre prepares students for a broad range of opportunities including performance, teaching, arts administration, and many non-arts based careers such as sales, training and development, and management.  The Theatre program at VSU offers numerous productions throughout the year, providing students with on-stage, back stage, and front of house experiences. Theatre graduates learn a host of life skills including collaboration, working to deadlines, self-discipline, patience, perseverance, analytical skills, and critical thinking.

Valdosta State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre. 

A PDF version of this document is available. 

Recommended Curriculum Map

University Core (Areas A to E) .............................................................................. 42 hours

Core curriculum Area F............................................................................................ 18 hours

DANC 1500 Introduction to Dance (3 hours)
THEA 1000 Voice and Diction (3 hours)
THEA 1100 Theatre Appreciation (3 hours)
THEA 1120 Introduction to Theatrical Design (3 hours)
THEA 2750 Basic Technical Theatre and Stage Lighting (3 hours)
THEA 2800 Fundamentals of Acting (3 hours) 

Senior Core Curriculum............................................................................................ 28 hours

THEA 2730 Theatrical and Film Makeup
THEA 2810 Basic Stage Movement
THEA 3700 Play Analysis for Production
THEA 3710 Theatre Performance 
THEA 3720 Theatre Production 
THEA 3740 Theatre Management
THEA 3750 Costume History
THEA 3950 Fundamentals of Play Directing
THEA 4790 Portfolio and Resume Presentation 

Select one of the following:

DANC 1600 Ballet I
DANC 2800 Jazz Dance I 

Select one of the following:

THEA 3760 Lighting Design 
THEA 3770 Costume Design
THEA 3780 Scene Design 

Select one of the following:

THEA 3880 Theatre History I
THEA 3890 Theatre History II 

Performance Track ....................................................................................................... 22 hours

THEA 1710 Improvisation
THEA 2110 Stage Dialects
THEA 2840 Stage Management
THEA 3010 Oral Interpretation
THEA 3200 Audition Techniques
THEA 3710 Theatre Performance
THEA 3710 Theatre Performance
THEA 3800 Scene Study
THEA 4800 Period Styles of Acting

Select one of the following not taken in Senior Core:

DANC 1600 Ballet I
DANC 2800 Jazz Dance I

Select one of the following not taken in Senior Core:

THEA 3880 Theatre History I
THEA 3890 Theatre History II 

Total Hours in Major.................................................................................................... 68 hours

Elective Hours................................................................................................................ 10 hours

Total Hours in Program................................................................................................ 120 hours

Audition Requirements   

All students who intend to pursue the B.F.A. with a major in Theatre in the Performance track must audition for the purpose of admission into the track no later than the student's second consecutive semester. Auditions are regularly hosted on campus and at regional recruiting events.

Students must be accepted into a track no later than their second consecutive semester in the major.

All students admitted to either the musical theatre or performance tracks are required to audition for theatre program productions every semester. Exceptions for extenuating circumstances must be requested in writing at least two weeks prior to the scheduled auditions. Failure to meet these conditions will require students to audition for readmission to the appropriate track.

GPA Requirements

Students entering the University must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better in order to continue as Theatre and Dance majors. If in any given semester a student's overall GPA falls below 2.0, the student will have one semester (fall or spring) to bring it back up to or above 2.0. If the overall GPA remains below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters, the student will be required to change majors or will automatically be transferred to an undeclared major status. 

Students changing majors from another program within the University must also have at least a 2.0 overall GPA to transfer to the Theatre or Dance major, and they will be subject to the same maintenance requirements already described.

Skills you will learn

As a major in the Theatre program you will:

  • develop critical thinking, problem-solving, planning and organizational skills.
  • collaboration and teamwork.
  • work within deadlines.
  • develop perseverance, self-discipline, and patience while developing physical stamina and creative skills.
  • strengthen and refine their acting, technical, management, and vocal techniques before entering the professional world. 
  • develop a broad understanding of music, literature, history, and other artistic disciplines to help connect and convey ideas in performance and production.    
  •                     

Sample careers for Theatre graduates

Employment opportunities for Theatre graduates include:

  • Arts Administrator
  • Lighting Designer
  • Costume Designer 
  • Scenic Designer
  • Technical Director
  • Stage Manager
  • Actor
  • Playwright or Script Writer
  • Producer
  • Director
  • Technician
  • Event Planner
  • Project Manager
  • Puppeteer
  • Stunt Performer
  • Educator
  • Combat Choreographer