Theatre

The purpose of the Theatre program at Palm Beach Atlantic University is to train students in the development of imaginative, purposeful, and skilled expression in the theatre, and to provide for their artistic, intellectual and spiritual growth. Its aim is to prepare students for career opportunities in professional theatre, directing, teaching, and church drama by studying and participating in all areas of theatre. An understanding of the history and literature of the theatre is foundational to the curriculum.

The program emphasizes excellence by an adherence to high academic and performance standards. It seeks to provide its students with a learning environment integrated with the liberal arts, proclaiming its dependency on and adherence to the Christian values and heritage of Palm Beach Atlantic University as specified in its Guiding Principles.

Theatre Productions

The Palm Beach Atlantic University Theatre presents three to five productions each academic year, including a musical. Productions range from Shakespeare to contemporary works. Participation in productions is open to all PBA students regardless of major, and eight credit hours of participation are required of all Theatre majors through registration in the Participation in Production and Participation in Performance classes. Cast and crew selections are based on the needs of each production.

Admission Requirements

In addition to University application procedures, prospective students seeking to major in theatre must file an application with the School of Communication and Media. Application materials must include a letter of recommendation from a high school drama teacher or other theatre professional familiar with the student’s work. Approval for study in the program is based on several factors, including an audition/interview, and review of previous work. All prospective students must complete an audition or present a design/production portfolio and interview with the Theatre faculty prior to the semester of initial enrollment. If a student lives too far from an audition site for a live audition to be practical, a video tape or digital portfolio may be submitted for provisional consideration, to be followed up by a live audition and interview when the student arrives on campus. Application materials should be received and auditions completed at least six weeks before the beginning of the student’s first term as a Theatre major in order to ensure a place in required courses.

Auditions for the Acting Track consist of two contrasting monologues one minute in length, followed by an interview with Theatre faculty. Students auditioning for the Musical Theatre Track must present a musical theatre piece and a one-minute monologue. Students applying to the Theatre Technology & Design Track must, at the time of their interview, present a portfolio demonstrating creative abilities.

Students changing majors or those transferring into Palm Beach Atlantic University should be advised that the sequence of courses for the program requires a minimum of five semesters of study to complete.

Scholarship Information

Each year the University offers scholarships in varied amounts to a select number of highly-talented and promising students. These scholarships are available through a competitive process that includes an interview and an audition with the theatre faculty of the University. Students who accept these grants-in-aid must declare a major in the Theatre program during the period of the grant and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all theatre courses attempted at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Theatre scholarships are reassessed each year. Theatre students whose grade point average falls below 3.0 will see a reduction in their theatre scholarship. Except in exceptional circumstances approved by the Dean on a case by case basis, students who accept theatre scholarships are required to participate in at least three theatre productions per year. For further information, contact the Office of the Dean of the School of Communication and Media or the Director of Theatre.

Review of Satisfactory Progress

Annually, all Theatre majors must have their progress in all work in the major area of study reviewed. This review is accomplished through an end of year interview and evaluation with the Theatre faculty. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all theatre courses attempted at Palm Beach Atlantic University in order to continue in good standing. All Theatre majors must participate in a minimum of one practicum course each semester in order to remain in good standing. Admission to upper-division study is determined on the basis of the student’s cumulative GPA in Theatre, the recommendation of the student’s advisor, and the satisfactory completion of an interview with the Theatre faculty. The faculty reserves the right to dismiss any student from a major in theatre if he or she fails to meet program standards. An executive committee of the School of Communication and Media will automatically review a decision to dismiss a student from a major, and a student may make appeal to the Dean. Theatre faculty will make every attempt to counsel a student into a more suitable major in the event that he or she is unable to meet the standards of the program.

Culminating Project

Before graduating, all students are required to create a hard-copy and/or digital portfolio of their work as part of the successful completion of THE 4483 - Careers Workshop . In addition to participation in Careers Workshop, prior to graduating all students must successfully complete THE 4910 - Culminating Evaluation in Theatre at the conclusion of their final semester.

Advising

Every Theatre major must meet with his/her academic advisor at least once each semester before registering in courses for the subsequent semester. Failure to do so will jeopardize the student’s standing in the program, and faculty will address this with the student during their annual review of his/her satisfactory progress.

Programs

Theatre, B.A.