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.