Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Theatre

Students in GW's bachelor of arts in theatre program immerse themselves in the art of theatre, including its techniques, history, and criticism, with emphasis on learning by doing. An award-winning faculty, location in one of the busiest theater cities in the country, and strong interdisciplinary approach provides students with significant opportunities to become experts in the art of theatre. Courses are offered in theatre design, acting, directing, theory, dramaturgy, history, and production, helping students understand both the theory and practice required to create theatre. Throughout the program students discover themselves as artists and creators through a range of outlets for artistic expression, both at and around GW. They can take part in six on-campus main stage theater productions are held each year and join local professional ensembles. Many students enter and exit the program as actors, while others learn that they are more passionate in other aspects of the craft, such as costuming, lighting or directing.

Visit the program website for additional information.

For information about the admission process, including deadlines, visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. Applications can be submitted via the Common Application.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
The George Washington University
800 21st St NW Suite 100
Washington, DC 20052

For questions visit undergraduate.admissions.gwu.edu/contact-us.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required (18 Credits)
CTAD 1214	Beginning Acting
or CTAD 1215	Acting Fundamentals for Majors and Minors
CTAD 1330	Basics of Production Design
CTAD 2339	Theatre Practicum (taken six times for a total of 6 credits)
CTAD 3245	History of the Theatre I
or CTAD 3245W	History of the Theatre I
CTAD 3246	History of the Theatre II
or CTAD 3246W	History of the Theatre II
3 credits (one course) in design/technical theatre courses selected from the following*:
CTAD 3331	Introduction to Lighting
CTAD 3332	Theatrical Makeup Design
CTAD 3333	Stage Management
CTAD 3334	Introduction to Audio Design
CTAD 3335	Introduction to Scene Design
CTAD 3336	Introduction to Costuming
CTAD 4338	Scene Painting
CTAD 4594	Special Topics in Production Design
15 additional credits (roughly five courses) in the theatre area selected from the following in consultation with the advisor*:
CTAD 1000	Dean's Seminar
CTAD 1025	Understanding the Theatre
CTAD 1035	Theatre Production
CTAD 2215	Scene Study
CTAD 2240	Play Analysis
CTAD 2250	Dramatic Writing
or ENGL 2250	Dramatic Writing
CTAD 3131W	Performance, Identity, and Social Change
CTAD 3222	Topics in Advanced Acting
CTAD 3223	Mask and Movement
CTAD 3224	Voice and Speech
CTAD 3225	Stage Dialects
CTAD 3226	Acting Shakespeare
CTAD 3227	Acting for Camera
CTAD 3228	Creating Solo Performance: Performing Culture, Performing History
CTAD 3229	Auditions and the Acting Business
CTAD 3231	Unarmed Stage Combat
CTAD 3232	Stage Combat Swordplay
CTAD 3240	Introduction to Dramaturgy
or ENGL 3240	Introduction to Dramaturgy
CTAD 3247	Musical Theatre History
CTAD 3248	Theatre Historiography: Shakespeare and Global Classics
CTAD 3249	Decolonizing Shakespeare through Contemporary Theory
CTAD 3331	Introduction to Lighting *
CTAD 3332	Theatrical Makeup Design *
CTAD 3333	Stage Management *
CTAD 3334	Introduction to Audio Design *
CTAD 3335	Introduction to Scene Design *
CTAD 3336	Introduction to Costuming *
CTAD 4273	Devising New Works in Performance
CTAD 4274	Hip-Hop Theatre
CTAD 4275	Directing for the Theatre *
CTAD 4338	Scene Painting
CTAD 4592	Special Topics in Theatre Studies
CTAD 4593	Special Topics in Theatre Performance
CTAD 4594	Special Topics in Production Design
CTAD 4595	Selected Topics
or CTAD 4595W	Selected Topics
CTAD 4596	Independent Study
CTAD 4598	Internship
CTAD 4597	Senior Project
or CTAD 4599	Honors Thesis

*The same course cannot be used to satisfy both the design/technical theatre course and theatre area course requirements.

In addition to the University General Education Requirement, undergraduate students in Columbian College must complete a further, College-specific general education curriculum—Perspective, Analysis, Communication (G-PAC) as well as the course CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience. Together with the University General Education Requirement, G-PAC engages students in active intellectual inquiry across the liberal arts. Students achieve a set of learning outcomes that enhance their analytical skills, develop their communication competencies, and invite them to participate as responsible citizens who are attentive to issues of culture, diversity, and privilege.

Coursework for the University General Education Requirement is distributed as follows:

• One course in critical thinking in the humanities.

• Two courses in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, or scientific reasoning in the social sciences.

• One course that has an approved oral communication component.

• One course in quantitative reasoning (must be in mathematics or statistics).
• One course in scientific reasoning (must be in natural and/or physical laboratory sciences).
• UW 1020 University Writing (4 credits).
• After successful completion of UW 1020, 6 credits distributed over at least two writing in the discipline (WID) courses taken in separate semesters. WID courses are designated by a "W" appended to the course number. 

Coursework for the CCAS G-PAC requirement is distributed as follows:

• Arts—one approved arts course that involves the study or creation of artwork based on an understanding or interpretation of artistic traditions or knowledge of art in a contemporary context.
• Global or cross-cultural perspective—one approved course that analyzes the ways in which institutions, practices, and problems transcend national and regional boundaries.
• Local or civic engagement—one approved course that develops the values, ethics, disciplines, and commitment to pursue responsible public action.
• Natural or physical science—one additional approved laboratory course that employs the process of scientific inquiry (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
• Humanities—one additional approved humanities course that involves critical thinking skills (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
• CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience

Certain courses are approved to fulfill GPAC requirements in more than one category.

Courses taken in fulfillment of G-PAC requirements may also be counted toward majors or minors. Transfer courses taken prior to, but not after, admission to George Washington University may count toward the University General Education Requirement and G-PAC, if those transfer courses are equivalent to GW courses that have been approved by the University and the College.

Lists of approved courses in the above categories are included on each undergraduate major's page in this Bulletin.

In addition to the general requirements stated under University Regulations, in order to be considered for graduation with Special Honors in Theatre, candidates must have a grade-point average of 3.4 in the major and complete CTAD 4599 Honors Thesis with a grade of A. They must consult with a faculty advisor at the beginning of the second semester of the junior year to determine eligibility, area of study, and the director of the research or creative project.