BA in Theatre with Emphasis in Writing for Performance
Degree Program Description
Student in the BA in Theatre with emphasis in Writing for Performance are offered a curriculum that includes a sequence of creative writing and literature classes, emphasizing the art and craft of writing as it applies to theatre and performance. MU student playwrights tell their stories through the words and actions of the characters they create. Students take a series of introductory and advanced classes in playwriting, acting, directing, dramaturgy, theatre history, script analysis, performance studies, world dramatic literature, adaptation of literature for stage and film, and screenwriting for film and television. They study dramatic structure, plot and story structure, complex character development, and special playwriting problems and techniques. Students participate in our annual Life and Literature Performance Series which is a celebration of original student plays, stories, poetry, and adaptations of literature, devised theatre, ethnography, performance art, music, and dance. Student playwrights have their new plays performed every week at our Missouri Playwrights Workshop, presented as concert readings during our annual Mizzou New Play Series and summer Comedies-in-Concert Series, and fully produced during our Academic Season as MU Theatre mainstage productions. Students are regularly invited to share their ten-minute plays, one-act plays, and full-length plays at local, regional, and national theatre events, including the annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Graduates are involved in theatre, film, and television productions in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and across the country. They are playwrights, screenwriters, dramaturgs, editors, storytellers, and teachers, who share their imagery, creativity, and theatrical imagination with audiences everywhere.
Major Program Requirements
In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.
| THEATR 2200 | Introduction to Performance Studies | 3 |
| THEATR 2920 | Beginning Playwriting | 3 |
| THEATR 3200 | Performance of Literature | 3 |
| THEATR 3920 | Intermediate Playwriting | 3 |
Semester Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | MATH 1100 | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | Am. Government or History | 3 |
| Second Language I | 4 | Second Language II | 4 |
| THEATR 1320 or 1340 | 3 | THEATR 1420 | 3 |
| Behavioral Science | 3 | ||
| 13 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Second Language III | 4 | Humanities | 3 |
| Biological/Physical/Math Science w/ Lab | 4-5 | Biological/Physical/Math Science + | 3 |
| THEATR 2710 | 3 | Social Science | 3 |
| THEATR 2200 | 3 | THEATR 2800 or 2800W | 3 |
| THEATR 2330 | 3 | ||
| 14-15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Humanities++ | 3 | Social Science++ | 3 |
| Behavioral Science | 3 | 3000+ Level Electives | 6 |
| THEATR 2920 | 3 | THEATR 2300 | 1 |
| THEATR 2510 | 3 | THEATR 3200 | 3 |
| Biological/Physical/Mathematical Science | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| 3000+ level Writing Intensive | 3 | Humanities++ | 3 |
| THEATR 3920 | 3 | THEATR 4990 | 1 |
| THEATR 3300 | 1 | 3000+ level Electives | 9 |
| 3000+ level Electives | 6 | Electives | 2 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120-121 | |||
- *
Writing Intensive
- +
Math Reasoning Proficiency
- ++
Course numbered 2000 or above
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.