Theatre (A.A.)
Associate in Arts
Program Advisor: Thomas Towne
413-236-4706 • ttowne@berkshirecc.edu
The Theatre Arts concentration in the Fine Arts degree program involves students in the study of acting, directing, design, lighting and stagecraft in the beautiful and modern Boland Theatre in the Koussevitzky Arts Center. Theatre at BCC is “doing.” In addition to a comprehensive academic program, students are involved in every aspect of theatrical production, from lighting and costuming to acting and design, and they receive college credit for their work. Three main-stage, full-scale productions are mounted each year, augmented by student-directed plays, giving freshmen and sophomores unparalleled opportunities. Experience is the key: what students learn in the classroom is immediately applied on stage.
Program graduates usually transfer to baccalaureate institutions where the experience, training and academic discipline received at BCC are an excellent foundation for future work and study in the theatre. Related majors at the baccalaureate level include communications, dance, mass communications, musical theatre, theatre-acting/technical and TV/film program production.
This is a MassTransfer eligible program.
Expected Outcomes
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of historical events in theatre;
- Demonstrate the art of stage technology: costuming; set construction; and lighting;
- Demonstrate specific performance skills in acting including character analysis, blocking, interpretation, voice and diction;
- Master the art of theatrical auditioning;
- Develop a repertory of theatrical roles through participation in plays and theatre events; and
- Develop an appreciation of world culture through the beauty and discipline of the art of theatre.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.
Program Courses
THR: See footnote 1
General Education Courses
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 6 |
| ENG- | Literature | 3 |
| THR-101 | Introduction to the Theatre | 3 |
| - | Behavioral & Social Science | 3 |
| - | Environmental Studies | 3 |
| - | History | 6 |
| - | Mathematics | 3 |
| - | Natural or Physical Science | 7 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 35 |
Environmental Studies : See footnote 2
History : See footnote 3
Natural or Physical Science: See footnote 2
Additional Requirements
| Core Competencies Portfolio |
4 items |
| FORUM |
4 units |
| Health/Fitness 4 |
30 hours |
Minimum Cumulative Average
| Overall |
2 |
| All required THR courses |
2 |
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
The following is a suggestion for completing this program in two years. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester
| MUS-114 | Performance Seminar | 1 |
| THR-101 | Introduction to the Theatre | 3 |
| THR-104 | Acting I | 3 |
| THR-106 | Fundamentals of Theatre Design | 3 |
| THR-198 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| - | History | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Second Semester
| THR-105 | Acting II | 3 |
| THR-199 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THR-233 | Movement for Actors | 3 |
| THR- | Stagecraft | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| - | History | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Third Semester
| THR-298 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THR- | History | 3 |
| ENG- | Literature | 3 |
| - | Mathematics | 3 |
| - | Natural or Physical Science | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Natural or Physical Science : See footnote 2
Fourth Semester
| THR-299 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| THR- | Acting or Directing | 3 |
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| - | Environmental Studies | 1 |
| - | Natural or Physical Science | 3 |
| - | Behavioral & Social Science | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Footnotes
- THR-198, THR-199, THR-298 and THR-299
- The Natural of Physical Science requirement must be fulfilled by one 4-credit laboratory science and one 3-credit non-laboratory science or by two 4-credit laboratory sciences. Completion of an environmentally focused laboratory science course, such as BIO-109, BIO-110, ENV-101 and ENV-102, fulfills both the Natural/Physical science requirement and the Environmental Studies requirement.
- History courses must have “HI” designation.
- DAN-119 (Dance I) is recommended.