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College of Fine Arts and Communication Department of Theatre and Dance
Texas State College of Fine Arts and Communication Department of Theatre and Dance About the Department Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Texas State requires 42 semester hours of academic foundations, referred to as the General Studies Curriculum. Subjects required include English, Speech Communication, Mathematics, Philosophy, American History, Political Science, and selected courses from the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences.  For more information about the University Core, please click here.

  • Yes. You must complete 19 hours to earn a minor. If you are a Bachelor of Arts student you are required to have a minor and may select from any number of areas outside of theatre, depending on your interests and abilities.  The B.F.A. Pre-Professional degree does not require a minor.  You cannot minor in the same department as your major.  For example, you cannot seek a BFA degree in Theatre with All Level Certification and minor in Acting.  There is no dance minor.

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  • Yes. Every year a number of freshmen and transfer students begin in the summer. Usually, they take some of their basic requirements such as History and English, Languages, or Math. It is a good way to get oriented to college life, meet the faculty, and ease into a new environment.

  • Yes. If you are seeking admission as a transfer into the Theatre Department with an emphasis Design/Technology, Teacher Certification, or Performance and Production, it is possible that some if not most of your courses will transfer. The final determination will be made by the Registrar and the Chairman of the Department of Theatre. For questions about the transferability of coursework please contact the Academic Advisor.

  • There are 6 to 8 plays and 2 musicals, plus creative thesis productions by graduate students, graduate-directed scenes, Black and Latino Playwrights Celebration, Directing 2 Festival, New Works Play Festival, Jeremy Torres Lab Theatre Series, and many other opportunities throughout the academic year. 

  • Yes. Auditions for Texas State Productions are open to all Texas State University students.

  • Yes. Each year there are a number of student assistant positions open. These include: Front office assistants, production assistants, building monitors, teaching assistants, costume shop and scene shop assistants. These are responsible positions, and employment is based upon evidence of ability. Many theatre majors supplement their income by working in the Department.

    Students who qualify for the Federal Work-Study program are virtually guaranteed employment in the Department.

  • Yes. Texas State currently offers the Master of Fine Arts in Design: Scenic, Lighting, and Costume and Master of Fine Arts in Directing. A limited number of assistantships are available.

    For more information contact:

    Brandon R. McWilliams

    Director of Graduate Studies

    Department of Theatre

    601 University Drive

    Texas State University 

    San Marcos, Texas 78666

  • As of 2019, our department has a BFA in Film Production.

    Our Department does include work in television and film acting as a part of our Actor Training Program. Our faculty includes persons with expertise and professional experience in television and/or motion picture acting, directing, and production and a number of our students receive practical film experience with companies on location in the Central Texas area. 

    We do not have an extensive program in Radio-TV-Film. However, the Department of Journalism does offer a broadcasting concentration.

  • Yes. Our department is home to the Iota Epsilon Chapter of the theatre honor fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega. The pledge process begins in September of each school year. Orchesis Dance Company produces several productions throughout the year. There is also a chapter of USITT, United States Institute for Theatre Technology, which is very active. A number of our students also belong to either the Southwest Theatre Conference or Texas Educational Theatre Association. We also have several student-run theatre production companies. 

  • Yes. We are an organizational member of USITT, American Theatre Association, Southwest Theatre Conference, Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA), and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). In 2009, we hosted the Region VI Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.  Every year several of our students participate in United Professional Theatre Auditions (UPTA) and University/Resident Theatre Association (URTA) auditions.

  • Our department offers a number of scholarships to outstanding students, but the university has numerous scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid available for outstanding students/artists.

    Inquiries about departmental scholarships should be sent to the Theatre Arts office. Applications are in the office. They are due by March 1 each year and they are awarded next fall and spring.

    For information regarding university scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance, visit here.

    Office of Student Financial Aid

    Texas State University-San Marcos

    601 University Drive

    San Marcos, Texas 78666