Department of Performing Arts (Music, Theatre and Dance)
Other Information — Theatre and Dance
Honors
Theatre majors who have shown extraordinary ability and accomplishment, and who have a minimum 3.0 cumulative average and a 3.5 in theatre arts courses, have the opportunity to do an honors project in THRART 479. Students should apply in the second semester of their junior year. The honors project must be approved by the program’s honors committee and must reflect a high level of competency in an area of theatre arts of particular interest to the student. It might take the form of a research paper on theatre history, a design project, an original play, or an extended work of dramatic analysis or criticism. The student will make a formal presentation and defense of the completed project before the honors committee. Honors in theatre arts will be awarded by the honors committee on the basis of overall academic performance and the work done on the honors project.
Pass/Fail Policy
No more than one course applied toward the major can be taken on a pass/fail basis.
Transfer Credit Policy
At least six courses must be taken within the program at UMass Boston. Students wishing to transfer credit should consult with the department.
Special Programs
Internship Program
On occasion, qualified advanced students may receive academic credit for work in theatre outside the university. For further information, see the course description below for THRART 435 (Theatre Arts Internship).
Winter Session
Each January Theatre and Dance ordinarily participate in the Winter Session. Recent offerings have included writing and acting for television, acting and producing staged readings of original plays, and work in technical aspects of theatre.
Creative Writing Program
Theatre Arts participates with the English Department in a creative writing program open to both matriculated and non-degree-seeking students. Theatre arts courses in writing for the stage, screen, and television are included in this program.
New Works Festival
Inaugurated in Fall 2002, each semester’s New Works Festival features works by the Theatre Program’s playwriting students, read or performed by student actors under the direction of student directors.
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
The Theatre program has membership in Region I, KCACTF, and enters its theatre productions for professional response and for nomination of students in awards competitions within the Festival.
American College Dance Festival
The Dance program has membership in the New England Region of ACDF, where students present choreographed dance works.
National Dance Association
The Dance program’s membership in the National Dance Association affords students the opportunity to perform in the adjudicated Gala and to be honored as outstanding dance minors at the national convention.
The Boston Ballet
Partnership with the Boston Ballet allows students to audition into classes at the