The Theater Arts B.A. combines drama, dance, critical studies, and theater design/technology to offer students an intensive program of theater as a unified field. The program stresses the interrelation of all disciplines as essential to the successful practice of the theater arts in the 21st century. Graduates of the University of California, Santa Cruz program typically pursue careers in professional theater and dance companies, in film and television, and in teaching at all levels—from university to high school to grade school. Many students go on to higher degrees at prestigious national programs. Others engage in careers in arts administration, dramatic writing, and related fields.

The lower-division curriculum requires a range of practical work in various areas and an interdisciplinary exposure to critical and historical studies. At the upper-division level, students are given the opportunity to focus on one or more areas of interest in limited-enrollment studios. At the same time, they are asked to expand their theoretical perspectives through confrontation with performance theory and focused coursework in critical studies. The impact of digital and new media on theater is also integrated into the curriculum.

A wealth of production opportunities is available to students. This includes major productions directed by faculty or distinguished visiting artists each quarter, productions directed or choreographed by students, and faculty-directed workshops. Undergraduate students are also given the opportunity to see their own writing, choreography, or developing concepts put into production in department-sponsored productions. Although majors are given preference in studio courses, most courses and productions welcome non-majors. Opportunities to study and perform non-Western as well as Euro-American traditions are also a significant part of the program.

The stage and studio spaces available to students of theater arts allow for a breadth of training and performance opportunities. The Theater Arts Center contains a 500-seat thrust stage; a state-of-the-art experimental theater; a 200-seat proscenium theater; acting, directing, design and dance studios; costume, scene, and properties shops; a sound recording room; and a computer lab. Also, located at the base of the campus is our 150-seat Barn Theater.

Libary holdings in theater literature and history are extensive, including journals in current theater, design/technology, and dance and a large image, audio, and video collection.

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Our program stresses dance, design, and drama as essential disciplines in the successful practice of theater arts in the contemporary world.

Graduates from the Theater Arts B.A. program should demonstrate the following:

✔ Foundations of Performance. Students should be able to identify and apply basic theatrical techniques in dance, design, and drama.

✔ Theatrical histories and theories. Students should be able to recognize and analyze performance works within the general culture and historical period that produced them.

✔ Performance experience. Students should be able to translate theater arts concepts into performance, participating in any theatrical endeavor with the rigor, discipline, and imagination necessary to make a meaningful contribution.

✔ Research proficiency. Students should be able to formulate personal research questions that expand their knowledge of theater arts, conducting independent research into the history and theory of at least one area of interest.

✔ Creative practice. Students should be able to use theatrical practices and performance experiences to conceive, design, realize, and reflect on new performance projects.

✔ Appreciation of diversity. Students should be able to recognize and appreciate a wide variety of approaches, cultures, and styles in both past and contemporary performance practice.

✔ Communication and critical thinking. Students should be able to use critical vocabularies to communicate clearly about theater arts in written and oral forms.

✔ Collaborative skills. Students should be able to work confidently and effectively in groups on a common project.