Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the non-theatre courses required for graduation?

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.

Do you offer a minor?

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.

How many hours do I need to graduate?

120- 128 total hours semester hours is the minimum, depending on which degree you are seeking, which means in 4 years you need to average 15-16 semester hours or 30-32 hours per academic year.

Can I start at Texas State in the summer?

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.

Can I transfer courses to Texas State?

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 transferability of coursework please contact the Academic Advisor.

How many plays and musicals does the department perform each year?

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

Do all students have an opportunity to act?

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

Are there paying jobs in the department for 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.

Does Texas State offer courses in film/television?

We do not have an extensive program in Radio-TV-Film. However, the Department of Journalism does offer a broadcasting concentration. Also, our Department does include work in television and film acting as a part of our Actor Training Program. We also have some classes available in Film Directing and Film Production. 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. For more information on our film courses please see the BFA in Theatre with an emphasis on Performance and Production.

Are there student drama organizations on campus?

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.

Is your department active in regional, state and national activities?

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.