The major consists of 44 units.
COURSEWORK
Students who major in the Department of Theater pursue the following program of study:
| THEA 101 | Dramatic Literature: The Art of Reading Scripts | 4 units |
| THEA 110 | Introduction to Performance | 2 units |
| THEA 120 | Introduction to Technical Theater | 4 units |
| THEA 175 | Introduction to Design | 4 units |
| THEA 210 | Acting 1 | 4 units |
| THEA 301 | Topics in Theater History | 4 units |
Two semesters of:
| THEA 121 | Production Laboratory | 1 unit |
| | And/Or | |
| THEA 122 | Intensive Production Laboratory | 2 units |
* A minimum of 2 units must consist of two semesters of Production Lab (THEA 121 or THEA 122) in two different areas (one must be a running crew.) The THEA 121/THEA 122 requirement must be completed by the end of the junior year.
Four units of coursework in design or technical theater selected from:
Sixteen units from other Theater or approved interdisciplinary courses
The Department welcomes interdisciplinary programs and double majors, and will work carefully with students interested in such programs. Up to 8 units of select courses from Film, Music, Art, Art History, and Dramatic Literature may be applied to the Theater Major in consultation with the department chair.
SECOND-STAGE WRITING REQUIREMENT:
Students majoring in Theater will fulfill Occidental College's second-stage writing requirement by completing a significant research and analytical paper, earning a minimum grade of B-, written in:
| THEA 301 | Topics in Theater History | 4 units |
| | Or | |
| THEA 302 | Twentieth Century Playwrights | 4 units |
Students should familiarize themselves with the departmental requirement at the time of declaring the major. Consult the department chair for additional information.
COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENT
The Department has established standards of excellence in theoretical analysis, performance, and production that our students meet by completing a comprehensive project in the senior year.
Information concerning all phases of the senior project can be obtained from the Department Chair.
The department accomplishes the college objectives for the Senior Comprehensive by having each candidate, having completed the THEA 121/THEA 122 requirement, (1) propose a creative or research project; (2) submit a paper of research and/or preparation during the comprehensive process, to be discussed with the faculty; and (3) execute the project. Projects may include but are not limited to acting, directing, design, playwriting, stage management, technical direction, theater management, and scholarly research. See the department for details.
HONORS
To receive College Honors in the department of Theater, the student must be a major and achieve a 3.50 grade point average in departmental courses. In addition the student must achieve a 3.25 grade point average overall, and receive a grade of Pass with Distinction on the senior comprehensive project. See the Honors Program for additional information.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
In the summer, Occidental College hosts the annual Occidental Children's Theater at the Remsen Bird Hillside Amphitheater. Academic credit is available for this program through THEA 197 or THEA 397. Off-campus internships in professional theater and film may be arranged during the academic year or summer through the Department of Theater and the Career Development Center. Support for undergraduate research and travel are available both during the academic year and during the summer. Contact the Department Chair and the Undergraduate Research Center for more information. We encourage Theater students to participate in study abroad. Information on approved programs is available through the International Programs Office. Credit toward the major may be available.