Theatre Major and Concentrations

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

The Theatre Department offers students a liberal arts approach to the training of theatre artists.  The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre is built to give students a wide range of training in different facets of contribution to the art of theatre, both off stage and on, to give them the experiences that will prepare students for a career in the field.

Concentrations

While still being exposed to a broad based theatre education, students may also wish to pursue one of three concentrations in the Theatre degree, in Production, Performance, or Ministries. 

Production concentration students are required to take a more forward role in design and construction, taking a more significant amount of technical courses, and presenting a portfolio of their work each semester.  Production students will complete a major design or construction project as their culminating project to graduate.

Performance concentration students are required to audition and be available to perform in every departmental production, as well as take a significant amount of our performance oriented courses.  Performance students are required to take part in departmental Audition Day, presenting a growing list of potential audition material each semester.  To graduate, Performance students must complete a full Recital, demonstrating command of the material learned in coursework.

Ministry concentration students will be expected to participate in outreach and ministry oriented projects, as performers, producers or creators.  Related coursework will be expected to further the students' understanding of the issues and theories related to the integration of the arts into a ministry framework, both from the artistic and ministerial approaches.  Ministry students must complete an internship with a ministry organization utilizing their theatrical learning for the completion of the degree.

The Theatre Department has launched an exciting major emphasis in Theatre Ministries.  This core of courses will prepare students to serve in theatre ministries in churches, para-church organizations or in missions, with practical coursework and an internship with an existing organization.

Including practical course work in production and teaching, this emphasis will provide the format for individualized focus in areas to which students are being directed.  There is a burgeoning interest in theatre and performance in worship, in fellowship and in Sunday school teaching.   

This new emphasis leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Ministries promises to address this area with vigor.

Students interested in this concentration should submit with their application a one-page summary of their aspirations and interests as related to their use of theatre in ministry.

Musical Theatre Concentration: With Belhaven' status as one of only 30 schools in the U.S. nationally accredited in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts, the Theatre department offers a concentration in Musical Theatre that utilizes the strengths of each of the performing arts. This emphasis allows students who have skills in voice, theatre, and dance to develop the diverse performance skills needed for musical theatre.  The emphasis in Musical Theatre includes essential musicianship skills, strong vocal training, theatre performance, dance performance, and history courses directly related to this unique discipline. Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in Musical Theatre will be prepared to seek active employment in the field of musical theatre or pursue a Master of Fine Arts.