Mar 29, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Department of Theatre


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John A. Warrick, Chair
118 College Drive, Box 5052
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4994 or 601.266.4151
www.usm.edu/theatre

Boyd, Carr, Dettman, Hayes, Judd, Lauer, Rackoff, Warrick

The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Theatre is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Theatre requirements are in accordance with the published regulations of this association.

The department offers major and minor degree programs in theatre. The program provides the student with sound theory, intensive practical training, opportunities for extensive performance experiences and exposure to visiting professional artists. Not every course is offered every semester.

Theatre Program

High school graduates who have been admitted by the university and who wish to major in theatre must first complete the Pre-Theatre Program. The requirements for the Pre-Theatre Program are

  • the completion of 18 hours of general education requirements, including three hours in English, three hours in history and three hours in mathematics
  • the completion of 20 hours of theatre classes, including THE 103 , THE 120 , and at least one from the following: THE 107 , THE 107L , THE 200 /THE 200L , THE 201 /THE 201L  or THE 212 /THE 212L  
  • no more than one D in any theatre class
  • a minimum 2.5 overall grade point average in all theater course work

Transfer students are likewise admitted into the Pre-Theatre Program until their course work has been evaluated to determine eligibility for admission according to the same guidelines as for freshmen.

When a student is in at least the third semester of postsecondary education and is in the last semester of completing the requirements of the Pre-Theatre Program, the student should make an application for entry into a theatre degree plan. Those plans are Bachelor of Arts in theatre, Bachelor of Fine Arts in design and technology, and Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting. A letter of intention, interview and a review of the student’s work are required as part of the application procedure. Contact the Department of Theatre at least one semester prior to the desired admission for further information.

Retention Policy for Theatre Majors

To remain in the Bachelor of Arts degree plan, a student must maintain a 2.75 GPA in all theatre course work. To remain in a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree plan, a student must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the emphasis area and a 2.5 GPA in all theatre course work.

A student who drops below the GPA requirement for the student’s emphasis area will have one probationary semester (not including summer) to bring up grades to an acceptable GPA. A student whose grades do not improve after probation will be barred from taking any additional theatre courses, 300-level or higher, unless he or she again meets the requirements for admission to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts program. However, a student may seek written permission from the department chair to retake theatre courses in which he or she earned a D or F, for the purpose of attaining a better GPA, within the university’s regulations regarding the substitution of one grade for another.

For information concerning the Master of Fine Arts degree, please consult the Graduate Bulletin.

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