Majoring and Minoring in Theatre
Theatre and Speech
Majoring and Minoring in Theatre
Requirements for Theatre Majors
12700: Speech for the Stage (3cr.)
13100: Introduction to Theatre Arts (3 cr.)
13200: Body Movement (3 cr.)
13400: Theatre Production and Design (3 cr.)
13600: Acting I (3 cr.)
21100: Theatre History I (3 cr.)
21200: Theatre History II (3 cr.)
21300: Theatre History III (3 cr.)
23300: Directing I (3 cr.) - Fall Semesters Only
23702: Technical Theatre Practicum (2 cr.)
33100: Playwriting (3 cr.)
33300: Directing II (3 cr.) - Spring Semesters Only
PLUS: Six credits from Theatre Elective Courses
(Please Note: Only one Theatre History course can be taken in any semester)
TOTAL CREDITS for B.A. in Theatre: 40-44
It is recommended that Theatre Majors with pronounced international accents or speech impediments also take:
SPCH 11100: Speech Foundations (3 cr.)
SPCH 23300: Voice and Diction (3 cr.)
Theatre Tracks
Beyond the required courses, theatre majors are welcome either to take electives as desired or to undertake one of the following Tracks which organize electives by sub-discipline. Please note that the set of credits listed below are minimal suggestions for organizing elective options; a student may take additional electives as he/she sees fit.
Acting Track
23600: Acting II (3 cr.)
33000: Performance Practice* (2 cr.)
*Students must be cast in a production through departmental audition process.
PLUS: Two courses from among the following for 6 cr.:
23601: Acting 3
23602: Acting 4
23800: Musical Theatre Workshop
23900: Acting for the Camera
24000: Stage Combat
43200: New Play Collaborations
25500: Youth Theatre
OR other acting-related electives
Design and Technical Theatre Track
26000: Lighting Design (3 cr.)
26100: Costume Design (3 cr.)
26200: Set Design (3 cr.)
37200: Special Problems in Technical Theatre (3 cr.)
Directing Track
23703: Technical Theatre Practicum* (3 cr.)
37000: Special Problems in Directing** (3 cr.)
43200: New Play Collaborations (3 cr.)
*Students either stage manage or assistant direct a student or faculty-directed production
**Students register for this upon acceptance by a faculty committee of a proposal for an advanced directing project
And Strongly Recommended:
23600: Acting II (3 cr.)
Musical Theatre Track
21500: Musical Theatre History (3 cr.)
23800: Musical Theatre Workshop (3 cr.)
MUS 16500: Class Instruction in Voice I (1 cr.)
MUS 26500: Class Instruction in Voice II (1 cr.)
PLUS: One class selected from the following:
25000: Ballet (3 cr.)
25100: Jazz Dance (3 cr.)
25200: Modern Dance (3 cr.)
31300: Hip Hop (3 cr.)
Playwriting Track
37100: Special Problems in Playwriting (3 cr.)
43200: New Play Collaborations (3 cr.)
PLUS: Two courses from the following Theatre History and Dramatic Literature Series for 6 cr.:
21500: Musical Theatre History
21600: Non-Western Drama
21700: Queer Theatre
21800: American Jewish Theatre
21900: Theatre of the Sixties
22300: Theatre into Film
23200: Black Drama in the USA I
23201: Black Drama in the USA II
25500: Youth Theatre
Theatre History and Dramatic Literature Track
Choose: Four courses from among the following for 12 cr.:
21500: Musical Theatre History
21600: Non-Western Drama
21700: Queer Theatre
21800:American Jewish Theatre
21900: Theatre of the Sixties
22300: Theatre into Film
23200: Black Drama in the USA I
23201: Black Drama in the USA II
Requirements for Theatre Minors
13100: Introduction to Theatre Arts (3 cr.)
13600: Acting I (3 cr.)
PLUS: Nine credits of Theatre Elective Courses
Theatre students are urged to supplement their required courses by studying related subjects in the Theatre Department as well as in other programs and departments, including singing, film and video directing, painting and sculpture, Shakespeare, and literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a student Major in Theatre?
Yes! We offer a well-rounded program, consisting of approximately 42 credits of coursework.
Do I need to audition to become a Major or Minor?
No! Simply see a departmental advisor, or our Director of Administration to fill out a major/minor form.
What courses do you offer?
We offer 2 kinds of courses, Required Courses and Electives. Required Classes are in the following main areas: Theatre Literature and History, Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Technical Theatre and Design.
How will I know which classes to take?
Once you've declared a Theatre Major or Minor, you will be assigned an Advisor. You should see your Advisor at least once per semester, and they will help you make your course selections.
Do I have to take them all at once?
No, we're flexible. You may take as many or as few as you like in a given semester, just so long as you take the most basic courses (100-level courses) first, and you've passed them all by the time you graduate. If you meet with your Advisor regularly, they will help you create a workable schedule each semester.
To see the list of required and elective course offerings the classes being offered this semester and next semester, clicke here: COURSES.
What if I want to take Theatre and another major too?
You can! Many students take Dual Majors, majoring in Theatre and another subject as well. Double majoring may mean that you spend an extra semester or year here at City.
What if I only want to take courses in one area of Theatre, such as Acting?
You can, but to Major in Theatre, you must complete all degree requirements. We believe students will do better with a well-rounded theatre degree, but students may take Theatre elective courses of their own choosing, or complete a specific track of courses, such as: Acting, Directing, Theatre History, Playwriting or Technical Theatre. A Departmental Advisor can help you make this choice.
When are the auditions for your productions?
Our General Auditions are held during the first full week of each semester. There are also auditions in March for the Spring One-Act Festival which takes place in May, and consists of twenty to forty-five one-act plays.
Can anyone be cast in your productions?
Any student enrolled at City College may audition and be cast. We believe that taking acting classes will greatly enhance your chances of being cast, and we do consider our Majors and Minors first in casting.
To see this year's production season, click here: THIS SEASON'S SHOWS.
Are there any opportunities to work backstage?
Absolutely! There are plenty of positions available in every production, such as: stage managers, assistant stage managers, light board operator, sound board operator, follow spot operator, wardrobe, run crew, set painting, etc.
How Do I Become a Theatre Major?
You do not have to audition to be a Theatre Major. Once you are admitted to City College, fill out a major form with a Theatre Department advisor, and you are automatically a Theatre Major. Please visit the Theatre Office in Compton Goethals, Room 311 for help with filling out a Major/Minor Form.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME TO CCNY FOR A TOUR AND PERSONAL INTERVIEW, e-mail us at: theatrechair@ccny.cuny.edu and someone will gladly get back to you to arrange an appointment.
Theatre is also home to CCNY's Speech Program.