Theatre

The Theatre Minor is designed for students seeking to augment their major program of study at Union Commonwealth University. The Theatre Minor focuses on theatre as a humanistic discipline, concentrating on fundamentals of interpersonal communication, building individual’s confidence through storytelling and advocacy, and student’s contributions to the local creative and cultural landscape of Kentucky. The minor consists of a selection of courses that expose students to the fundamentals of theatrical production, including acting, writing, directing, and design. Courses integrate history, theory, and practice to give students a holistic understanding of performance, expanding student’s overall cultural competency. 

Completion of the minor requires an 18-hour credit sequence of courses designed to provide students with a balanced and diverse theatre experience.

• Introduction to Theatre: A broad overview of theatre history and dramatic literature as well as an introductory study of acting, designing, and directing.
• Introduction to Acting: An introductory course in acting for the stage. It includes an understanding of acting skills and styles, class exercises in sense memory and character development, and student performances of memorized and rehearsed scenes.
• Voice & Movement: An intermediate acting course that focuses on physical and vocal techniques that enhance stage presence and character development.
• Directing & Devising: Students explore multiple directing methods and direct their own short scene from a published play. Students challenge the traditional production hierarchy by creating devised theatre as an ensemble of artists as writers, performers, designers, and/or directors.
• Theatre for Social Change: An upper level course for students from all disciplines who are interested in exploring the intersection of social justice and the arts. Students will create strategic approaches for the arts in underserved populations.
• Theatre Rehearsal & Production: Participation in the theatre productions as an actor, designer, or backstage crew.

• Develop strong communication, cooperation, and creative thinking skills
• Scholarship and Work Study Opportunities
• Stand out in job interviews with a unique minor