BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN THEATER ARTS
The Major in Theater Arts is comprised of a broad foundation of theoretical and practical studies with intensive performance and design practica. Students complete a set of designated elective subjects, two of which satisfy the CI-M requirement. A capstone thesis with a pre-thesis tutorial is an optional component of the major. This course of study prepares students to enter the field or pursue graduate studies in theater or performance studies. Before declaring the major, students are required to demonstrate proficiency in theater arts fundamentals and have experience participating in a performance. Consultation with the major advisor in Theater Arts is required no later than the first term of the junior year.
MIT's registrar maintains the official requirements for the Course 21M-2 Degree on their website.
Theater and Performance Studies
At least 36 units from the following:
21M.609[J] Introduction to Drama
21M.690 Sport as Performance
21M.700 China on Stage
21M.706 Asian American Theater
21M.707 Theater and Race
21M.709[J] Modern Drama
21M.710 Script Analysis
21M.711 Production Seminar
21M.713 History of American and European Scenography
21M.714 Contemporary American Theater
21M.715 Topics in Theater Arts
21M.716 Play Translation and Cultural Transmission
21M.729[J] How We Got to Hamilton
21M.800 All the World’s a Stage: Socio-Political Perspectives in Global Performance
21M.816 Advanced Play Translation
21M.846 Topics in Performance Studies
21M.848 Performance Studies: Advanced Theories of Sport
Performance Practice
At least 60 units from the following:
21M.600 Introduction to Acting
21M.601 Drawing for Designers
21M.603 Introduction to Design for the Theater
21M.604[J] Playwriting Fundamentals
21M.605 Voice and Speech for the Actor
21M.606 Introduction to Stagecraft
21M.607[J] Playwriting Methods
21M.608[J] Screenwriting
21M.622 Physical Improvisation: Scores and Structures
21M.623 Physical Improvisation: Bodies in Motion
21M.624 Acting with the Camera (CI-M)
21M.645 Motion Theater
21M.702 Live Solo Performance: Monodrama and Composition
21M.704 Musical Theater Workshop
21M.705 Acting Intensive
21M.712 Choreography: Making Dances
21M.731 Sound Design for Theater and Dance
21M.732 Costume Design (CI-M)
21M.733 Set Design (CI-M)
21M.734 Lighting Design
21M.735 Technical Design for Performance (CI-M)
21M.737 Interactive Design and Projection for Live Performance
21M.780 Writing the Full-Length Play
21M.784 Writing and Producing Narrative Podcasts
21M.785 Playwrights Lab (CI-M)
21M.790 Director's Craft
21M.810 Creating the World We Want: Protest, Activism, and Performance
21M.820 Production Design Visualization
21M.830 Acting: Techniques and Style
21M.840 Performance Media
21M.842 Live Cinema Performance
21M.861 Topics in Performance Technique
21M.862 Topics in Performance Practice
21M.863 Advanced Topics in Theater Arts
Applied Performance and Practica
At least 12 units from the following:
21M.803 Performance and Design Workshop, 3;
21M.806 Applied Performance and Design Production, 6;
21M.809 Performance and Design Intensive, 9;
21M.851 Independent Study in Performance and Design, Units arranged
Restricted Electives - 12 Units
In consultation with the Major Advisor, select 12 units of restricted electives. Qualified students may, with departmental approval, substitute 12 units of thesis (21M.THU).
No subject can be counted both as part of the 17-subject GIRs and as part of the 180 units required beyond the GIRs. Every subject in the student’s departmental program will count toward one or the other, but not both.
Please note, only one subject used to meet the distribution element of the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Requirement may be counted toward the arts component of these degree programs.
For an explanation of credit units, or hours, please refer to the online help in the MIT Subject Listing & Schedule, http://student.mit.edu/catalog/index.cgi.
The Major Advisor is Ken Urban.