The BFA degree prepares students for graduate study or entry into the profession through rigorous, concentrated, and individualized training.  All BFA students complete the theater core and are admitted into a chosen concentration to organize their advanced work within the major.  Upon admission, BFA students will complete coursework in a specified area of emphasis through one of our five concentrations:

  • Design for Stage and Screen
  • Performance for Stage and Screen
  • Musical Theater Performance
  • Sound Engineering and Design
  • Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12

Admissions

Acceptance to a Theater Major is by successful completion of an audition/portfolio-review and interview. Information about the admission process, including dates, can be found on the School of Theater website.

Admission to the university is determined by the Admissions Office. University-wide admissions policies can be found in the Undergraduate Admissions Policies section of this catalog.

Policies

For policies governing CVPA students, see CVPA Requirements and Policies.

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies

Banner Code: AR-BFA-THR

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 120

Mason Core

Foundation Requirements
Oral Communication3
Information Technology and Computing3
Quantitative Reasoning3
ENGH 101Composition (Mason Core) 13
ENGH 302Advanced Composition (Mason Core) 13
Core Requirements
Literature3
Arts 23
Natural Science 37
Global History3
Global Contexts 43
Social and Behavioral Sciences3
Total Credits37
1

Nonnative speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGH 100 Composition for Multilingual Writers (Mason Core) for ENGH 101 Composition (Mason Core). Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGH 100 Composition for Multilingual Writers (Mason Core) or ENGH 101 Composition (Mason Core), as well as in ENGH 302 Advanced Composition (Mason Core), to fulfill degree requirements.

2

Courses taken for the Theater major (core or concentration) may not double count for the Mason Core Arts requirement. Students earning a concentration in Musical Theater Performance must take DANC 125 Modern/Contemporary Dance I (Mason Core), DANC 131 Beginning Jazz Technique (Mason Core), DANC 145 Ballet I (Mason Core), DANC 161 Beginning Tap Dance, DANC 225 Modern/Contemporary Dance II (Mason Core), DANC 231 Intermediate Jazz Technique (Mason Core), DANC 245 Ballet II (Mason Core), or DANC 331 Advanced Jazz Dance (Mason Core).

3

Including one laboratory science

4

Courses taken for the Mason Core Global Contexts requirement may not double count for the Theater major (core or concentration).

Theater Core

Courses taken for the Theater Core may not satisfy requirements for Mason Core or Concentration.

Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all Theater core courses.

THR 150Global Theater Histories I (Mason Core)3
THR 151Global Theater Histories II (Mason Core)3
THR 196Production Practicum1
THR 198Construction or Admin Practicum1
THR 199Production Run Crew Practicum1
THR 210Acting I (Mason Core)3
THR 230Fundamentals of Production (Mason Core)3
THR 240Introduction to Theatrical Design3
THR 329Directing3
or THR 338 Production Stage Management
THR 350Script Analysis (Mason Core)3
THR 351Dramatic Theory and Criticism (Mason Core)3
or THR 360 Dramaturgy
Apex3
Select one course from the following:
Advanced Studies in Directing/Dramaturgy (Mason Core)
Text in Production (Mason Core)
Dramatic Literature
Select one course from the following: 13
Dramatic Literature Seminar
Advanced Studies in Theater History
American Voices
History of Musical Theater 2
World Stages (Mason Core) 3
Contemporary Women Playwrights
Total Credits33
1

or with permission of Director

2

Musical Theater Performance concentration students must complete THR 356 for the Dramatic Literature requirement.

3

May fulfill either Mason Core Global Contexts requirement or dramatic literature requirement but not both.

Concentrations

Courses taken for the Concentration may not satisfy requirements for Mason Core or Theater Core.

Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all Concentration courses.

Theater majors pursuing a BFA in Theater must complete one of the following concentrations: 

Design for Stage and Screen Concentration (DSS)

THR 338Production Stage Management 23
THR 331Drafting3
THR 333Scenic Design3
THR 334Lighting Design3
THR 335Costume Design3
THR 337Sound Design3
THR 499Industry Prep Seminar1
Technical Production Electives6
Select two courses from the following: 1
Event Technical Production
Lighting Stagecraft
Sound Engineering
Scene Painting
Seminar in Technical Theater
Technical Direction
Costume Technology
Design and Technical Theater Electives18
Select 18 credits from the following: 1
Event Technical Production
Lighting Stagecraft
Sound Engineering
Scene Painting
Seminar in Technical Theater
History of Fashion and Dress
Technical Direction
Advanced Studies in Directing
Makeup Design
Costume Technology
Advanced Sound Engineering
Musical Theater Ensemble 4
Advanced Lighting Design
Advanced Sound Design
Special Topics in Theater
Advanced Practicum 4
Field Experience
Event Logistics
Stage and Screen Elective3
Select one course from the following: 1
American Voices 2
Screenplay Workshop
Great Film Directors (Mason Core) 3
Great Film Performances (Mason Core) 3
Translation Adaptation for Stage Screen
Total Credits46
1

or with permission of Director

2

May fulfill Theater Core or Concentration requirement, but not both.

3

May fulfill Mason Core Arts or Concentration requirement, but not both.

4

Registration by audition/interview only. Students completing THR 428, THR 492, or THR 493 for the first time must register for 3 credits. Students repeating the course may elect to register for 1-3 credits.

Musical Theater Performance Concentration (MTPF)

Required Core Courses
THR 300Voice and Speech3
THR 306Movement in Musical Theater3
THR 310Acting II3
THR 320Performance Studio3
THR 406Advanced Movement in Musical Theater3
THR 427Musical Theater Workshop3
THR 499Industry Prep Seminar1
MUSI 108Practical Musicianship 13
or MUSI 115 Introduction to Music Theory
MUSI 113Aural Skills I 11
MUSI 171Keyboard Skills I 11
MUSI 231Musical Theatre Singing Styles2
DANC 231Intermediate Jazz Technique (Mason Core) 43
Applied Voice 12
Musical Theater Performance concentration students must complete a total of 12 credits of applied voice.
Applied Music in Voice
Applied Music in Voice
Ensemble 3
Select one course from the following: 2
Musical Theater Ensemble 5
Advanced Musical Theater Workshop
Collaborative Lab Experience 5
Field Experience
Musical Theater Performance Electives6
Select six credits from the following: 2
Global Dance Perspectives I (Mason Core) 3
Dance in Popular Culture (Mason Core) 4
Modern/Contemporary Dance I (Mason Core) 4
Beginning Jazz Technique (Mason Core) 4
Ballet I (Mason Core) 4
Modern/Contemporary Dance II (Mason Core) 4
Intermediate Jazz Technique (Mason Core) 4
Ballet II (Mason Core) 4
Advanced Jazz Dance (Mason Core) (200 level pre-requisite must be met) 4
Popular Music in America (Mason Core) 4
Jazz and Blues in America (Mason Core) 4
Music in Motion Pictures (Mason Core) 4
Advanced Study in Voice
Advanced Movement for Actors
Unarmed Stage Combat
Characterization
Professional Presentation
Advanced Stage Combat
Advanced Movement in Musical Theater
Acting for the Camera
Great Film Performances (Mason Core)
Advanced Performance Studio
One-Person Show
Applied Techniques in Voice and Speech
Musical Theater Workshop
Musical Theater Ensemble 5
Advanced Musical Theater Workshop
Total Credits50
1

The School of Music offers placement tests in Theory, Sight Singing, Ear Training and Keyboard Skills for students with an exceptional level of competency or prior academic experience in these areas.  Placement tests are optional.  However, students must pass the specific placement tests in order to receive “credit-by-examination” to be applied for credit to the concentration.  Opportunities to take the placement exams and additional exam details are posted on the School of Music website: music.gmu.edu

2

or with permission of Director

3

May fulfill Mason Core Global Contexts or Concentration requirement, but not both.

4

May fulfill Mason Core Arts or Concentration requirement, but not both.

5

Registration by audition/interview only. Students completing THR 428 and THR 493 for the first time must register for 3 credits. Students repeating the course may elect to register for 1-3 credits.

Performance for Stage and Screen Concentration (PSS)

THR 300Voice and Speech3
THR 301Advanced Study in Voice3
THR 303Movement for Actors3
THR 304Advanced Movement for Actors3
THR 305Unarmed Stage Combat3
THR 310Acting II3
THR 320Performance Studio3
THR 329Directing 23
THR 365Characterization3
THR 410Acting for the Camera3
THR 420Advanced Performance Studio3
THR 421One-Person Show3
THR 423Audition Techniques: Stage and Camera3
THR 499Industry Prep Seminar1
Performance Electives 6
Select six credits from the following: 1
Beyond Screens: Digital Creation
Business of Film
Film Production
Film Producing 3
Cinematic Podcasting
Acting Shakespeare
Advanced Studies in Directing
Makeup Design
Professional Presentation
Advanced Stage Combat
Great Film Directors (Mason Core) 4
Great Film Performances (Mason Core) 4
Applied Techniques in Voice and Speech
Musical Theater Ensemble 5
Special Topics in Theater
Advanced Practicum 5
Collaborative Lab Experience 5
Field Experience
Independent Study
Total Credits46
1

or with permission of Director

2

May fulfill Theater Core or Concentration requirement, but not both.

3

May require up to 6 credits of pre-requisite coursework to enroll.

4

May fulfill Mason Core Arts or Concentration requirement, but not both.

5

Registration by audition/interview only. Students completing THR 428, THR 492, or THR 493 for the first time must register for 3 credits. Students repeating the course may elect to register for 1-3 credits.

Sound Engineering and Design Concentration (SEND)

THR 313Event Technical Production3
THR 315Sound Engineering3
THR 331Drafting3
THR 337Sound Design3
THR 338Production Stage Management 23
THR 415Advanced Sound Engineering3
THR 437Advanced Sound Design3
THR 499Industry Prep Seminar1
FAVS 233Film Sound3
MUSI 254Music and Technology3
MUSI 355Recording Techniques3
Sound Engineering and Design Electives15
Select 15 credits from the following: 1
Sound Art I
Film Sound: Advanced
Music for Film and Video
Writing and Editing Music and Sound
Music in Computer Technology (Mason Core) 3
Electronic Composition
Advanced Audio Mixing
Technical Direction
Great Film Directors (Mason Core) 4
Advanced Practicum 5
Introduction to Tourism Management
Event Logistics
Total Credits46
1

or with permission of Director

2

May fulfill Theater Core or Concentration requirement, but not both.

3

May fulfill Mason Core Information Technology and Computing or Concentration requirement, but not both.

4

May fulfill Mason Core Arts or Concentration requirement, but not both.

5

Registration by interview only. Students completing THR 492 for the first time must register for 3 credits. Students repeating the course may elect to register for 1-3 credits.

Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12 Concentration (THEA)

Students enrolled in the licensure concentration must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to applying for internship: 

  • Emergency First Aid, Hands-on CPR and AED certification or training (prior to graduation). 

THR 448Foundations of Theater Education3
THR 449Elementary Theater Education3
THR 450Secondary Theater Education3
EDRD 300Literacy in Fine Arts, Health, and Physical Education3
EDUC 301Educating Diverse and Exceptional Learners3
EDUC 302Human Growth and Development3
THR 455Theater Education Internship 26
Content Area 13
Advanced Studies in Directing
Content Area 212
Voice and Speech
Movement for Actors
Acting II
Performance Studio
Content Area 38
Scenic Design
Production Stage Management 4
Two credits of:
Construction or Admin Practicum 3
Theater Education Elective 3
Select one course from the following: 1
Advanced Study in Voice
Advanced Movement for Actors
Unarmed Stage Combat
Event Technical Production
Lighting Stagecraft
Sound Engineering
Acting Shakespeare
Technical Direction
Costume Technology
Dramatic Literature Seminar 4
American Voices 4
World Stages (Mason Core) 5
Characterization
Acting for the Camera
Great Film Directors (Mason Core) 6
Great Film Performances (Mason Core) 6
Contemporary Women Playwrights 4
Applied Techniques in Voice and Speech
Advanced Studies in Directing/Dramaturgy (Mason Core) 4
Advanced Practicum 7
Total Credits50
1

or with permission of Director 

2

Cumulative GPA prior to internship application must be 2.5

3

One credit of construction practicum experience is expected in the costume shop and one credit of construction practicum experience is expected in the scene shop

4

May fulfill Theater Core or Concentration requirement, but not both.

5

May fulfill Mason Core Global Contexts or Concentration requirement, but not both.

6

May fulfill Mason Core Arts or Concentration requirement, but not both.

7

Registration by interview only. Students completing THR 492 for the first time must register for 3 credits. Students repeating the course may elect to register for 1-3 credits.

General Electives

After fulfilling degree requirements, BFA students may use remaining general electives credits inside or outside of the department. 0-4
Total Credits0-4

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan below is a recommended sequencing of courses based on pre-requisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.

Design for Stage and Screen, Performance for Stage and Screen, and Sound Engineering and Design

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
ENGH 101 (Mason Core)3COMM 1013
Quantitative Reasoning (Mason Core)3Arts (Mason Core)3
THR 1000THR 1513
THR 1503THR 2403
THR 2103Concentration Course3
THR 2303Practicum (THR 196, THR 198, THR 199)1
 15 16
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Literature (Mason Core)3Information Technology (Mason Core)3
Global History HIST 125 (Mason Core)3Social & Behavioral Science (Mason Core)3
THR 3503THR 351 or 3603
Concentration Course3THR 329 (OR Dramatic Literature*)3
Concentration Course3Concentration Course3
 Practicum (THR 196, THR 198, or THR 199)1
 15 16
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Global Contexts (Mason Core)3Lab Science (Mason Core)4
Non-Lab Science (Mason Core)3Concentration Course3
THR 338 (OR Dramatic Literature*)3Concentration Course3
Concentration Course3Concentration Course3
Concentration Course3Practicum (THR 196, THR, 198, or THR 199)1
 15 14
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
THR 440 or 496 (Apex OR ENGH 302*)3THR 440 or 496 (Apex OR ENGH 302*)3
Concentration Course3Concentration Course3
Concentration Course3Concentration Course3
Concentration Course3Concentration Course3
General Elective3General Elective2
 15 14
Total Credits 120

*Must select ‘OR’ option for some of these suggested rotations due to degree requirements (i.e. Dramatic Literature (3), Apex (3), and ENGH 302 (3) are required)

Musical Theater Performance

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
ENGH 1013Quantitative Reasoning (Mason Core)3
THR 1000Arts - Must be a DANC Course (Mason Core)3
THR 1503THR 1513
THR 2103THR 2403
THR 2303MUSI 108 or 1153
MUSI 1711MUSI 2432
MUSI 2432 
 15 17
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
COMM 1013Information Technology & Computing (Mason Core)3
Global Hist HIST 125 (Mason Core)3Social & Behavioral Science (Mason Core)3
THR 3503THR 351 or 3603
Concentration Course3THR 329 (OR Concentration Course*)3
MUSI 1131Concentration Course3
MUSI 2432MUSI 2432
 15 17
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Literature (Mason Core)3Lab Science (Mason Core)4
Non-Lab Science (Mason Core)3Concentration Course3
THR 338 (OR Concentration Course*)3Concentration Course3
THR 3563Concentration Course3
Concentration Course2MUSI 2231
MUSI 2231Practicum (THR 196, THR 198, or THR 199)1
 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
THR 440 or 496 (Apex OR ENGH 302*)3THR 440 or 496 (Apex OR ENGH 302*)3
Global Contexts (Mason Core)3Concentration Course3
Concentration Course3Concentration Course3
Concentration Course3MUSI 2231
MUSI 2231Practicum (THR 196, THR 198, or THR 199)1
Practicum (THR 196, THR 198, or THR 199)1 
 14 11
Total Credits 119

Note:  Must select ‘OR’ option for some of these suggested rotations due to degree requirements (i.e. Apex (3) and ENGH 302 (3) are required). Musical Theater Performance concentration students are required to complete THR 356: History of Musical Theater to satisfy the Dramatic Literature requirement.

Theater Education for Theater Arts Pk-12

First Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
ENGH 1013COMM 1013
Quantitative Reasoning (Mason Core)3Arts (Mason Core)3
THR 1000THR 1513
THR 1503THR 2403
THR 2103Concentration Course3
THR 2303 
 15 15
Second Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Literature (Mason Core)3Information Technology & Computing (Mason Core)3
Global Hist HIST 125 (Mason Core)3Social & Behavioral Science (Mason Core)3
THR 3503THR 351 or 3603
Concentration Course3THR 329 (OR Dramatic Literature*)3
Concentration Course3Concentration Course (THR 448)3
 Practicum (THR 196, THR 198, or THR 199)1
 15 16
Third Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
Global Contexts (Mason Core)3Lab Science (Mason Core)4
Non-Lab Science (Mason Core)3THR 329 (OR Dramatic Literature*)3
THR 338 (OR Dramatic Literature*)3Concentration Course (THR 450)3
Concentration Course (THR THR 449)3Concentration Course3
Practicum (THR 196, THR 198, or THR 199)1Practicum (THR 196, THR 198, or THR 199)1
 13 14
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterCreditsSpring SemesterCredits
THR 440 or 496 (Apex OR ENGH 302*)3THR 440 or 496 (Apex OR ENGH 302*)3
Concentration Course3Concentration Course3
Concentration Course3Concentration Course3
Concentration Course3Concentration Course3
THR 1981THR 1981
 13 13
Fifth Year
Fall SemesterCredits 
THR 455 (Concentration Course)6 
 6 
Total Credits 120

*Must select ‘OR’ option for some of these suggested rotations due to degree requirements (i.e. Directing (3), Dramatic Literature (3), Apex (3), and ENGH 302 (3) are required)

Detailed four year plans and degree planning checklists can be found at https://cvpa.gmu.edu/academics/undergraduate-student-resources.

Honors in the Major

Highly-qualified students who have completed 75 credits may pursue advanced work leading to graduation with honors in the major. Students apply for Honors in Theater by submitting to the Director (by November 15 or April 15) a two-page written statement outlining their reasons for pursuing advanced coursework and specific professional goals, along with the names of two Mason theater faculty members who have agreed to serve as references.

Students satisfy the honors course sequence by taking three honors-specific courses from their chosen concentration. They must also maintain an overall GPA of 3.50 and a GPA of 3.75 within the major.