Theatre: Acting and Directing, B.A. - COLA, UNH

The Theatre Major: Acting and Directing Option at UNH offers the rare combination of both disciplines in a single trajectory. Students gain comprehensive skills through courses in acting, voice, movement, directing and more, with this work applied to theatre and media/camera. This is combined with hands-on experience in all areas of production. With over 25 annual performance opportunities and independent study options, graduates are well-prepared for wide-ranging careers in theatre and beyond. The program offers those who participate in professional internships the ability to apply for departmental financial aid. Students receive additional training with acclaimed guest artists through our Performance Arts Enrichment Initiative (PAEI) and have opportunities to perform professionally with our touring Little Red Wagon family theatre and our applied theatre company, PowerPLAY.

The Acting and Directing option is one of the few programs in the nation that combines these two disciplines into a single trajectory. With a focus on creating the self-sufficient theatre artist, this option is designed to develop the skills and artistry necessary for a wide-ranging career in theatre. You’ll take multiple levels of acting, voice, movement, and directing courses. Students will delve into virtually every aspect of the theory, history and practice of theatre with additional course work in camera/media performance. With numerous opportunities for hands-on experience in all areas of theatre, students graduating with a theatre degree will have built a formidable base of knowledge and skill for work on stage and beyond.

If you are fully committed and serious about becoming a true theatre artist; if you want to develop the skills and artistry necessary to work professionally; if you are dedicated to growing and applying the five “Cs”--creativity, communication, collaboration, critical analysis and commitment--to everything you do, then studying acting and directing at UNH is the right fit. The NH Seacoast region offers many professional theatres where students can pursue opportunities to build their resumes while at UNH. Featuring an award-winning faculty, our program is demanding yet offers a flexibility in course choices that allows you to further customize a four-year experience that will serve you for your entire career. 

Contact David Kaye, Paul Creative Arts Center, (603) 862-0667.

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

In the freshman and sophomore years, students should enroll for at least two major and two Discovery courses per semester.

The minimum grade requirement for major courses is C- per course. Any grade lower than C- will not count toward the major.

The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.

Under department policy, students who complete both COMM 401 American Sign Language I and COMM 502 American Sign Language II satisfy the bachelor of arts language proficiency requirement.

All majors must take courses in the following areas: performance, design/theatre technology and theory/history as well as fulfill between four and eight practicums and complete a capstone course.  Although timing will vary with each option, it is strongly suggested that all introductory courses be taken prior to the end of the student's sophomore year. Students must also complete a digital portfolio that demonstrates fulfillment of student learning outcomes related to their area of study.

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Theatre department majors may use one major-required course to satisfy one Discovery Program category requirement.

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The practicum ensures a breadth of experience in the major, including sets, costumes, lighting, props, box office, marketing, and performing.  Students must register for practicum every semester.  They are notified of their practicum assignment at the beginning of each semester.

Program Learning Outcomes

On completion of the B.A. in Theatre, students will:

• Recognize and distinguish between various styles and forms of theatre or dance that have shaped the evolution of these disciplines.
• Effectively communicate artistic ideas and/or critical analysis of theatre or dance works through appropriate oral, written or practical means.
• Demonstrate knowledge and fundamental skill level of the basic areas of theatre or dance production in areas related to performance, design, technology or management.
• Create and demonstrate informed and personal artistic choices in coursework and productions (i.e., design, dance, directing, acting).

On completion of the option in Acting and Directing, students will:

• Achieve at minimum an intermediate proficiency in fundamental skills related to theatrical performance.
• Utilize critical thinking and writing skills to analyze plays for both the performance of roles and the direction of productions in a range of styles and genres.
• Effectively communicate and collaborate with all participants in the interactive and creative process of theatre.
• Form, communicate and defend verbally and in writing value judgments about quality and aesthetics of performance and directing in works of theatre.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic terminology of acting and directing as well as leading practitioners and theorists of the acting and directing process.