Number of courses, credits and overall GPA required for the major:

Students are required to complete 12 course credits for the major. Students who choose the two-credit thesis option will complete 13 course credits for the major. A grade of C- or higher must be obtained in all courses for the major.

Concentrations/tracks: There is a choice of six concentrations within the theater and dance major:

  • Acting
  • Dance and choreography
  • Media and performance
  • History and dramaturgy
  • Performing arts in the community
  • Writing and directing

Core courses:

  • THDN 103. Basic Acting
  • THDN 140. Improvisation as Composition
  • THDN 233. Critical Views/Critical Values
  • THDN 496. Senior Thesis Part 1 and THDN 497. Senior Thesis Part 2 (one credit) or
    THDN 498. Senior Thesis Part 1 and THDN 499. Senior Thesis Part 2 (two credits)
  • One design course in lighting, scene, or costume design

The Writing Intensive Part II requirement is fulfilled either by the one-credit THDN 496-497. Senior Thesis, or by the two-credit THDN 498-499. Senior Thesis.

In addition to completing the required core courses, all theater and dance department majors must complete a concentration. Students choose one of six suggested concentrations listed below or design their own concentration in the major subject to departmental approval:

Acting

  • THDN 205. Intermediate Acting
  • THDN 235. Voice
  • THDN 301. Directing and Devising Performance
  • THDN 393. Playwrights Workshop or THDN 305. Writing for Stage and Screen
  • One 300-level theater techniques course
  • Two electives, one of which may be a course in another arts discipline and one of which must be a departmental theater history course. Courses outside the theater and dance department must be approved by the department.

Dance and choreography

  • THDN 215. Making Dances
  • THDN 324. Advanced Choreography Workshop*
  • One THDN Department dance history course
  • Two credits in dance technique
  • Two electives, one of which may be a course in another arts discipline. Courses outside the theater and dance department must be approved by the department.

Media and performance

  • THDN 124. New Media Practices
  • THDN 225. Interactive Media
  • THDN 252. Comparative Media Studies
  • THDN 301. Directing and Devising Performance or THDN 215. Making Dances
  • THDN 305. Writing for Stage and Screen or THDN 393. Playwrights Workshop
  • THDN 325. Media Performance Laboratory
  • One THDN Department history course

History and dramaturgy

  • THDN 215. Making Dances or THDN 301. Directing and Devising Performance
  • THDN 393. Playwrights Workshop or THDN 305. Writing for Stage and Screen
  • THDN 404. Dramaturgy*
  • Two THDN Department history/theory courses
  • Two electives, one of which must be a history/theory course in another arts discipline. Courses outside the theater and dance department must be approved by the department.

Performing arts in the community

  • THDN 215. Making Dances or THDN 301. Directing and Devising Performance
  • PBPL 252. Art and the Public Good
  • THDN 270. Arts in Action: Moving into the Community
  • THDN 345-12. Theater for Social Change
  • One one-credit internship in an area approved by the department
  • Two electives, one of which may be a course in another arts discipline and one of which must be a departmental theater history course. Courses outside the theater and dance department must be approved by the department.

Writing and directing

  • THDN 301. Directing and Devising Performance
  • THDN 393. Playwrights Workshop or THDN 305. Writing for Stage and Screen
  • THDN 493. Advanced Playwriting* or THDN 494. Advanced Directing*
  • Two theater and dance department theater history courses
  • Two electives, one of which may be a course in another arts discipline. Courses outside the theater and dance department must be approved by the department.

* Taught as an independent study for a small group of advanced level majors

Theater and dance majors are required to participate in at least three departmental productions, one of which must be a THDN 309. Stage Production. In addition, all majors are required to complete 90 hours of design/production work in the department of theater and dance. Upon declaring the major, the student will develop a plan with the performing arts technical director. It is recommended that students complete their production hours in 30-hour segments over the course of three semesters.

Capstone/senior project: There are two options for the senior thesis:

The one-credit THDN 496-497. Senior Thesis and the two-credit THDN 498-499. Senior Thesis.

The last term of the senior year must be in residence.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Internships: Students have the opportunity to do internships at different Hartford theater organizations such as Hartford Stage, HartBeat Ensemble, TheaterWorks, etc.

Study away: Trinity/La MaMa Performing Arts Program in New York City—Sponsored by the department of theater and dance, this semester program utilizes the landscape and history of New York City as a catalyst for an intensive study in theater, dance, and performance. Based at the historic and Tony Award-winning La MaMa Experimental Theater Club (E.T.C.), the program offers students an immersion experience in the unique and vibrant New York arts scene. Occurring in the fall semester, the program is designed for both major and non-major arts students. The program includes a comprehensive academic seminar, an internship at a nonprofit arts organization, performance practice classes, attendance at multiple performances each week, and multi-arts exploration of NYC as a field-study site. The program culminates with a performance presented both at Trinity and at La MaMa E.T.C. In order to foster dynamic academic and artistic growth, the interdisciplinary learning approach includes group and individualized study and research. Further information is available from Professor Barbara Karger, program director, by telephone at (212) 598-3058 and/or by e-mail: [email protected]. Students earn five course credits for the program, not more than three of which may be counted toward the major in the department of theater and dance. See course descriptions for TLMM 401. Performance Workshop, TLMM 405. The Nonprofit Arts Organization, and TLMM 411. Performance Analysis.

Honors: Departmental honors may be awarded to students who have at least an A- average in courses required for the major and who earn at least an A- for a two-credit thesis or an A for a one-credit thesis. The awarding of honors is determined by a vote of departmental faculty.