The Theatre School’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Theatre Management exposes students to both the art and business of theatre while preparing them for careers in arts administration and arts management. The four-year curriculum not only provides students with an appreciation and understanding of theatre as an art form but also explores the realities of the marketplace though management and marketing coursework. In addition to the theatre training, students take a progression of management courses in the College of Commerce and can opt for a management minor.
Students learn from a distinguished faculty of theatre and arts administrators and business professionals both in the classroom and through individual guidance and advising. Students receive formal and informal feedback from faculty through continual evaluation of their work and portfolio presentations.
First Year. The first year curriculum is taken in collaboration with other theatre studies students and is an immersion into the culture of theatrical production and literature. Students’ coursework includes script analysis, theatre history and acting to facilitate critical thinking and a physical understanding of the theatrical process. Students also participate in three production assignments in various areas of production.
Second Year. Students move into the specific theatre management curriculum and focus on the study of performing arts management ,including financial management, marketing and advancement/community engagement for non-profit arts organizations. Students also take coursework in design or technical areas as well as courses in ethics and dramatic criticism. Students participate in the production season in a variety of areas, including house management, and will work in two professional internships.
Third Year. Students focus on the business of the commercial theatre and learn about management, human resources and strategic planning though a series of commerce courses. Students also explore the production process through directing and dramatic criticism coursework. Students participate in our public production season through two production practice assignments in marketing and business/company management.
Fourth Year. The fourth year is a transition year, both further developing students abilities and preparing students to enter the profession. Coursework includes study of various career and networking opportunities and practical application of the students’ skills as well as business plan development. Students are placed in two professional internships, with opportunities in Chicago and other cities.
Graduate Showcase. At the end of each year, The Theatre School hosts an event to showcase the work of our graduating students. Under the guidance of the faculty, graduating students prepare a showcase exhibit of their portfolio – which is presented in Chicago for artistic directors and other members of the theatre, film and television industries. The Graduate Showcase includes alumni networking events to introduce and connect our graduates to our large alumni network.
Liberal Studies. In addition to the theatre management training curriculum, students complete 52 quarterly credit hours (13 courses) in liberal studies. Courses are taken in theatre history, English composition and rhetoric, quantitative reasoning, philosophy, religion, lab or quantitative sciences, world history, multiculturalism and electives. These liberal studies courses are scheduled during the first three years of the program.
Evaluation. Every student receives quarterly evaluation and feedback from the faculty each year. Students’ evaluations are based on discipline, collaboration, professional potential and progress in the program. Based on this evaluation, students are continued from year to year at the invitation of the faculty. There are no pre-determined limits on the number of students returning to theatre studies programs. An invitation to return to the third year of a theatre studies program is for the duration of the respective program provided that all academic requirements are met, and that professional discipline is acceptable.
