Theatre Education

Overview
If you wish to pursue a career in education or community-based theatre, WPU’s Theatre Education program offers ideal preparation.
William Peace University’s BA in Theatre Education program is the only one of its kind in the Raleigh area. You will study acting, history, technical theatre, education, English and psychology under faculty with lengthy professional, artistic and academic credentials. In addition, valuable outside-the-classroom experiences include required theatre internships, participation in student-run organizations, study abroad opportunities and the annual senior trip to NYC to take part in professional auditions. Whether your post-graduation plans include graduate school or professional theatre, you will develop the tools, skills and connections you need to succeed.
Note
- Our BFA in Theatre does not require an audition to be accepted into the program; however, all theatre majors are eligible to audition for theatre scholarships.
- The WPU BA in Theatre Education is a non-licensure degree. Students seeking careers in private schools, theatre companies and community-based arts programs do not usually need a license. If students seek an education career in public schools, they will need to seek out the procedures to obtain a license independently.
THEATRE EDUCATION (BA) – SAMPLE 4-YeaR PLAN
WPU Theatre Education students help develop the stars of tomorrow through hands-on instruction and experience

Courses

The courses listed below are for the Academic Catalog and are subject to change. Please reference the Academic Catalog for further information and course descriptions. If you are a current student, please reference the catalog in which you come under.

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education

*Liberal Education Curriculum: Under the Liberal Education requirements, students must take THE 112: Introduction to Acting in place of COM 101 and register for THE 490 for their internship requirement.

Liberal Education Curriculum	49 credit hours
Theatre Education Core Courses	53 credit hours
General Electives	18 credit hours
Total credit hours for B.A. in Theatre Education	120 credit hours

Theatre Education Core Courses	53 credit hours
Acting (9 credit hours)
THE 112: Acting I Intro to Acting	3
THE 212: Acting II Voice and Movement	3
THE 312: Acting II Methods	3
Theatre History (9 credit hours)
THE 385: History of Musical Theatre	3
THE 390: Theatre History	3
THE 391: Contemporary Drama	3
Production (8 credit hours)
THE 148: Stagecraft and Design	3
THE 248: Stategcraft and Design II or THE 338: Costume and Makeup or THE 425: Directing	3
Youth Theatre (3 credit hours)
THE 320: Theatre for Young Audiences	3
Education (6 credit hours)
EDU 201: Early Experiences for Prospective Teachers	3
EDU 250: Exceptionalities in Education	3
Psychology (6 credit hours)
PSY 310: Child and Adolescent Development	3
PSY 382: Learning	3
English (6 credit hours)
ENG 322: Shakespeare	3
ENG 378: Children’s Literature	3
Theatre Electives (6 credit hours) *Suggested Electives:*
THE 101: Production (Cast or Tech section)	1
THE 151: Applied Voice	1
THE 171: Applied Piano	1
THE 167: Dance 1: Ballet	2
THE 168: Dance 2: Jazz	2
THE 175: Musicianship and Piano 1	3
THE 176: Musicianship and Piano 2	3
THE 180: Music Appreciation	3
THE 225: Arts in Society	3
THE 295: Special Topics	1 – 3
THE 315: Classics	3
THE 325: Business and Technology for the Actor	3
THE 332: Improvisation	3
THE 345: Stage Combat	3
THE 412: Acting 4: Audition Techniques	3
Six (6) additional credit hours earned either in THE or combined with ENG 425: Women on Stage
No more than two (2) credit hours as THE 151: Applied Voice
No more than two (2) credit hours as THE 171: Applied Piano
No additional hours permitted as THE 101: Theatre Production

General Electives	18 credit hours
Must complete 18 elective credit hours	18

Faculty

Matt Hodge, MFA
Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre and Theatre

Amy Pridgen, MFA
Assistant Professor of Theatre and Musical Theatre

Wade Newhouse, Ph.D.
Program Director of Theatre; Professor of English
Performances
2018-2019 Season
Main Stage Productions
- Speech and Debate
- Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
- Julius Caesar
- Hair
- WPU Dance Concert
SECOND STAGE PRODUCTIONs
- 24-Hour Playfest
- Senior Recitals
- One Night Only (Student-Directed Cabaret Evenings)
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2017-2018 Season
MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS
- An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe
- The Wild Party
- Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
- Assassins
- King Lear (Partnership with Honest Pint Theatre Company)
- WPU Dance Concert
SECOND STAGE PRODUCTIONS
- 24-Hour Playfest
- WPU Singers Choral Concerts
- Senior Recitals
- One Night Only (Student-Directed Cabaret Evenings)
2016-2017 Season
MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS
- Kiss Me, Kate
- The Laramie Project
- Noises Off
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- WPU Dance Concert
SECOND STAGE PRODUCTIONS
- The Pillowman (Student-Directed Production)
- Finding Clara (Student-Directed Staged Reading)
- One Night Only (Student-Directed Cabaret Evenings)
- 24-Hour Playfest
- WPU Singers Choral Concerts
- Senior Recitals
2015-2016 Season
MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS
- The Music Man
- The Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom
- Twelfth Night
- American Idiot
- WPU Dance Concert
SECOND STAGE PRODUCTIONS
- Macbeth (Staged Reading for Shakespeare Marathon in partnership with NC Museum of History and Burning Coal Theatre)
- One Night Only (Student-Directed Cabaret Evenings)
- 24-Hour Playfest
- WPU Singers Choral Concerts
- Senior Recitals