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: Basic 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 (4 cr.) - Fall Semesters Only
23700: Technical Theatre Practicum (2 cr.)
33100: Playwriting (3 cr.)
33300: Directing II (4 cr.) - Spring Semesters Only
PLUS: Six credits from Elective Courses, depending on your interests.
Theatre Majors with pronounced foreign accents or speech impediments are also required to take:
SPCH 01100: Articulation (1 cr.)
SPCH 23300: Voice and Diction (3 cr.)
TOTAL CREDITS for B.A. in Theatre: 40-44
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 Realism - formerly 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.:
Acting the Classics (23601), Auditioning and Acting Professionalization (23602), Musical Theatre Workshop (23800), Acting for the Camera (23900), Stage Combat (24000), New Play Collaborations (43200), 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 faculty-directed production under this rubric.
**Students register for this upon acceptance by a faculty committee of a proposal for an advanced directing project.
And Strongly Recommended:
23600: Acting Realism - formerly Acting II (3 cr.)
Musical Theatre Track
21500: American Musical Theatre (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.)
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.:
Musical Theatre History (21500), Non-Western Drama (21600), Queer Theatre (21700), American Jewish Theatre (21800), Theatre of the Sixties (21900), Women’s Theatre (22000), Playwrights and the Pulitzer Prize (22200), Theatre into Film (22300), Contemporary Theatre in Latin America (22800), Black Drama in the USA I (23200), Black Drama in the USA II (23201).
Theatre History and Dramatic Literature Track
Choose: Four courses from among the following for 12 cr.:
Musical Theatre History (21500), Non-Western Drama (21600), Queer Theatre (21700), American Jewish Theatre (21800), Theatre of the Sixties (21900), Women’s Theatre (22000), Playwrights and the Pulitzer Prize (22200), Theatre into Film (22300), Contemporary Theatre in Latin America (22800), Black Drama in the USA I (23200), Black Drama in the USA II (23201).
Requirements for Theatre Minors
13100: Introduction to Theatre Arts (3 cr.)
13600: Acting I (3 cr.)
PLUS: Nine credits of Elective Courses, depending on your interests.
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 get into the program?
No! Simply see a departmental adviser to fill out a major card. You will, however, have to audition to be cast in the individual shows.
What courses do you offer? I want to find out more about majoring.
We offer 2 kinds of classes, Required Classes and Electives. The student majoring in Theatre must take all the required classes. Required Classes are in the following main areas: Theatre Literature and History, Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Technical Theatre and Design.
Electives are the way to take upper-level classes over and above the 35 required credits in the areas which interest you.
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. Only, be sure you consult your adviser when you come so you're sure to take everything you need as it comes up! Also, some but not many, must be taken in sequence.
To see the list of required and elective course offerings the classes being offered this semester and next semester, go to 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. Dual 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! We believe students will do better with a well-rounded theatre program, but students may take Theatre elective courses of their own choosing. You may coordinate this choice with a departmental adviser.
How about Minoring?
Yes you can! Many students major in a different subject and minor in Theatre. Requirements for minoring are listed above. Fill out a minor card with a departmental adviser.
What if I want to participate in shows? Do I have to be a Theatre Major?
No! Our auditions are open to the college-at-large. We do believe strongly that acting classes will greatly enhance your chances of being cast. Our philosophy is based on the assumption that students will optimally develop as performers by practicing their craft in class and by performing in public, but we'll accept your participation regardless. We welcome majors and non-majors in our shows.
To see this year's production calendar or photo galleries of past shows, go to THIS SEASON'S SHOWS.
How Do I Become a Theatre Major?
To reiterate, you do not have to audition to be a Theatre Major, to be cast in shows. Once you are admitted to City College, fill out a major card with a Theatre Department adviser, and you are automatically a Theatre Major.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME TO CCNY FOR A TOUR AND PERSONAL INTERVIEW, e-mail us at chair@ccny.cuny.edu and someone will gladly get back to you to arrange an appointment.
Theatre is also home to CCNY's Speech Program.