Available Options

  • Concentration in Design and Technology

    The design/technology concentration offers specialized training in costume, lighting, scenic design, and theater technology for the student pursuing a career as a professional designer or technician or conservatory training beyond the bachelor's level. In addition to the core of theater classes required of all majors, design/technology requires extended coursework in the chosen area(s) of design and technology. Students also take computer-assisted drafting, dramatic literature, and numerous interdisciplinary classes to broaden and enhance their training. These classes are chosen from the art, film, music, and dance. Students have the opportunity to complete numerous production assignments including design opportunities.

  • Concentration in Stage and Screen Acting

    This new undergraduate program of study is designed for students interested in pursuing a professional career on the stage and screen. It offers conservatory-style training for the serious acting student in all aspects of performance including professional actor training, camera training for film and television as well as voice, movement and speech training with a special emphasis on all styles of acting. Admission is by audition only. The program is lead by UNLV's distinguished faculty with professional careers in the acting industry.

  • Concentration in Theatre Studies

    The theatre studies concentration offers generalized study in all aspects of theater for students seeking a professional career in teaching, performance, design/ technology, and/or continued practical, artistic, or scholarly study beyond the bachelor's level. In addition to the general core and theatre core, theatre studies students choose from a broad range of courses that blend the best of both design/technology and performance. The concentration requires fewer credits specific to the major and is a good choice for students enrolled in the Honors College or students pursuing a double major or a minor in another department. Theatre studies is often the best choice for transfer students as it allows easier integration of classes taken elsewhere.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

  • Communication Techniques- appropriate for the concentration that may include some or all of these techniques: acting, voice, movement, dance, computer and hand drafting, drawing and painting, collage construction, and speech, model building
  • Production Skills- appropriate for the concentration that may include some or all of these skills: rehearsal etiquette, learning lines, practicing scenes, construction skills used in the lighting, scenery, and costume production studios, as well as following direction, performance responsibilities and time management
  • Academic Skills- writing, research, discussion
  • Professional preparation- self marketing as is timely and appropriate in their program- preparing audition material, attending auditions, creating a resume, learning networking techniques, portfolio preparation- from digital to hard copy, applying to graduate schools
  • The ability to study and analyze plays; have an understanding of genre, style, and direction through the study of plays and theatre history
  • An understanding of the contextual importance of theatre in the humanities, in the fine arts and part of the human experience

Career Possibilities

Requirements

Theatre Arts (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre is a diverse curriculum that prepares theatre students to become leaders and innovators in theatre, film, and entertainment industries.  

Please see the UNLV College of Fine Arts, Department of Theatre web page for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available on the UNLV Degrees Directory.

Available Options

Concentration in Design/Technology

The design/technology concentration offers specialized training in costume, lighting, scenic design, and theater technology for the student pursuing a career as a professional designer or technician or conservatory training beyond the bachelor's level. In addition to the core of theater classes required of all majors, design/technology requires extended coursework in the chosen area(s) of design and technology. Students also take computer-assisted drafting, dramatic literature, and numerous interdisciplinary classes to broaden and enhance their training. These classes are chosen from the art, film, music, and dance. Students have the opportunity to complete numerous production assignments including design opportunities.

Concentration in Stage and Screen Acting

This new undergraduate program of study is designed for students interested in pursuing a professional career on the stage and screen. It offers conservatory-style training for the serious acting student in all aspects of performance including professional actor training, camera training for film and television as well as voice, movement and speech training with a special emphasis on all styles of acting. Admission is by audition only. The program is lead by UNLV's distinguished faculty with professional careers in the acting industry.

Concentration in Theatre Studies

The theatre studies concentration offers generalized study in all aspects of theater for students seeking a professional career in teaching, performance, design/ technology, and/or continued practical, artistic, or scholarly study beyond the bachelor's level. In addition to the general core and theatre core, theatre studies students choose from a broad range of courses that blend the best of both design/technology and performance. The concentration requires fewer credits specific to the major and is a good choice for students enrolled in the Honors College or students pursuing a double major or a minor in another department. Theatre studies is often the best choice for transfer students as it allows easier integration of classes taken elsewhere.

Learning Objectives

  1. Communication Techniques- visual communication techniques.
  2. Production Skills- responsibility for a production aspect.
  3. Academic Skills- writing, research, discussion.
  4. Professional preparation- self marketing as is timely and appropriate in their program.
  5. The ability to study and analyze plays; an understanding of genre, style, and direction.
  6. An understanding of the contextual importance of theatre in the humanities, in the fine arts and part of the human experience.
  7. Research- Gather, interpret and communicate historic, interpretive, and conceptual ideas within the theatrical framework.
  8. Collaboration- Build verbal and written communication skills with all members of the collaborative design and production team.

Advising

Please see advising information at the UNLV College of Fine Arts Student Advising Center.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

University Graduation Requirements

Please see 

Graduation Policies
 for complete information.

Theatre (BA) Degree Requirements - Total: 120 Credits

General Education Requirements - Subtotal: 37-40 Credits

First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3

English Composition - Credits: 6

Second-Year Seminar - Credits: 3

Constitutions - Credits: 4-6

Mathematics - Credits: 3

Distribution Requirements - Credits: 19

Please see

Distribution Requirements
 for more information.

  • Humanities and Fine Arts: 
    • Automatically satisfied by Major requirements
  • Social Science: 9 credits 
    • One course each from three different fields
  • Life and Physical Sciences and Analytical Thinking: 10 credits
    • Two courses from Life and Physical Science;  at least one course must have a lab
    • Analytical Thinking 3 credit course 

Multicultural and International

Multicultural, one 3 credit course required
International, one 3 credit course required

These courses may overlap with general education and major requirements.  A single course may not meet the multicultural and international requirements simultaneously. Visit the Provost webpage for the list of approved Multicultural and International courses​.

Theatre Arts Major (BA) - Design and Technology Concentration - Subtotal: 54 Credits


 

General Electives: 26-29 Credits

At least 15 credits must be at the 300-400 level to complete Upper Division requirement. Many elective options are available within the College of Fine Arts and across the University. The elective options below may enhance Design/Technology concentration studies:

Total Credits: 120

Theatre Arts Major (BA) - Stage and Screen Acting Concentration - Subtotal: 54 Credits

General Electives: 20-29 Credits

At least 6 credits must be at the 300-400 level to complete Upper Division requirement. Many elective options are available within the College of Fine Arts and across the University. The elective options below may enhance SSA concentration studies:

Total Credits: 120

Theatre Arts Major (BA) - Theatre Studies Concentration - Subtotal: 54 Credits

General Electives - Subtotal: 26-29 Credits

At least 12 credits must be at the 300-400 level to complete Upper Division requirement. The department offers a list of Theatre electives that can augment studies in the major.

Total Credits: 120

Notes

  1. THTR 200
    Loading from UNLV Catalog…
     is a Milestone Experience course for Theatre B.A.
  2. Please consult with an advisor regarding satisfying the Culminating Experience requirement for Theatre B.A.
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Documents/Downloads

Contacts

Department of Theatre

The department of theatre offers programs in performance, production, and technology taught by a diverse group of experienced faculty. Our in-depth programs and hands-on training provides students a strong foundation and comprehensive knowledge of theatre studies, design, performance in stage and screen, and technology and stage management.

Website
https://www.unlv.edu/theatre
Email
theatre@unlv.edu
Phone
702-895-3666
More

College of Fine Arts

The College of Fine Arts provides an academic experience that heightens awareness of the physical, intellectual, and cultural world. We diligently prepare students for professional employment and/or post-graduate study in their artistic area.

Website
https://www.unlv.edu/finearts
Phone
702-895-4210
More
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