Performance

Following completion of the basic core set of classes required of all theater majors, students focus on acting.

The theater program offers a joint degree with the Division of Theater Arts and Technology at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). The Rutgers/NJIT Theater Program offers required classes at both Rutgers and NJIT. All students majoring in theater must complete two sets of course requirements: a core and one area of specialization. Please note certain laboratory classes entail a fee.

Following completion of the basic core set of classes required of all theater majors, students focus on acting. The specialization balances classes in acting technique, improvisation, movement for the theatre, speech and the basics of theatre directing with performing in faculty directed productions.

Major Requirements

Major Requirements

Required Theater Core Courses (21 credits)
  • 21/28:088:101  Living Theater–Introduction to Theater (3)
  • 
21/28:088:102  Acting Fundamentals (3)
  • 21/28:088:103  Theater Technology (3)
  • 
21/28:088:208  Movement for the Theater (3)
  • 21/28:088:311  Theater History I (3)
  • 
21/28:088:312  Theater History II (3)
  • 21/28:088:213  Directing I (3)
English Courses (3 credits from the following)
  • 21:350:319 or 320  Shakespeare (3)
  • 
21:350:345 or 346  Modern Drama (3)
  • 21:350:365 World Drama to 1900 (3)
  • 28:088:360 Drama (3)
  • 28:088:361 20th Century American Drama (3)
  • 28:088:362 Non-Western Theatre and Drama (3)
  • 28:088:364 Modern Continental and British Drama (3)
Requirements for Performance Specialization (21 credits)
  • 21/28:088:209 or 210 Voice and Speech for the Theater I or II (3)
  • 21/28:088:215 Acting II (3)
  • 28:088:216 Improv Theatre I (3)
  • 21/28:088:365 Principles of Playwriting (3)
  • 21/28:088:411 Special Topics in Theater (3)
6 credits from the following:
  • 21/28:088:261 Performance I (3)
  • 21/28:088:262 Performance II (3)
  • 21/28:088:465 Performance III (3)
Requirements for Technical Theater Specialization (21 credits)
  • 21:088:209 or 210  Voice and Speech for the Theater I or II (3)
  • 
21:088:259  Production I (3)
  • 21:088:260  Production II (3)
  • 21:088:350  Introduction to Scenic Art and Lighting Design (3)
  • 21:088:409  Stage Management (3)
  • 
21:088:411  Special Topics in Theater (3)
  • 21:088:467  Production III (3)
Arts, Culture and Media Departmental Core Requirements for Theater (9 credits)
  • 21:083:101  Introduction to Arts, Culture, and Media (3)
  • 21:083:301 Colloquium in Arts, Culture and Media or
  • 21:083:401 Seminar in Arts, Culture, and Media (3)
  • 21:088:212  From Page to Stage (3)

Minor Requirements

Required Theater Courses (18 credits)
  • 21/28:088:101  Living Theater–Introduction to Theater (3) or 21/28:088:212  From Page to Stage (3)
  • 21/28:088:102  Acting Fundamentals (3) or 21/28:088:313 Theater Technology (3)
  • 21/28:088:311  Theater History I (3)
  • 21/28:088:312  Theater History II (3)
  • Six additional credits from any of the requirements in either the Performance or Technical Theatre concentrations.
  • Faculty Ian Watson
  • Ian Watson
  • Ian Watson is Professor of Theatre and Chair of the Department of Arts, Culture and Media at Rutgers University-Newark. He…

  • male-profile
  • Steve Perlmutter
  • Steve Perlmutter is an actor and acting instructor. He has performed at regional theatres throughout the country including Philadelphia’s famed…

  • Pictured: a smiling Tim Raphael
  • Tim Raphael
  • Tim Raphael is Professor of Theater and Director of the Center for Migration and the Global City. He has devised, directed…

  • Faculty Member Brian Harlow
  • Brian Harlow
  • Brian Preston Harlow serves as Director of the Rutgers University Chorus, Newark Campus, the Director of the Apprentice Chorus and…

Student Projects

  • Pictured: one of our theater performances