Opportunities in Theater
Bowdoin’s Theater program emphasizes the creation of original work and the interpretation of dramatic literature from a historically, socially, and politically informed perspective. This mission is supported by courses in performance, creative process, theory, history, design, technical theater, interdisciplinary offerings, and an active production schedule. The department emphasizes theater's relationship to dance and other art forms as well as its fundamental connection to the broad liberal arts curriculum. The program's goals include theater literacy, an understanding of theater's role in the community, and an appreciation of what it means to act, write, design, direct, research, critique, reflect, and create. The aim is to develop and nurture imaginative theater practitioners who collaboratively solve problems of form and content with a passionate desire to express the rich variety of human experience on stage.
Students are exposed to traditional and experimental performance forms in class and on stage. Motivated students have additional opportunities for research and advanced work through courses in Ensemble, Studio 305, Acting Shakespeare, Comedy, and in Independent Studies, Honors Projects and participation in departmental productions. The following is a brief summary of some of our course suggestions:
Fullfilling the Arts requirement
Any 100 level course in the department that interests you.
Minoring in Theater
Two 100 level courses, preferably Making Theater and Acting I, two 200 level courses, and one 300 level course. Minors may be asked to participate in one crew assignment as well in the near future.
Majoring in Theater
If you are interested in literature, consider doing an English/Theater major. If you would like to combine theater with another department, consider creating a self-designed major, such as Italian/Theater or Theater/Education. Self-designed and Interdisciplinary majors may soon have a crew assignment. We don’t offer a traditional theater major, but students with a specific interest will find plenty of opportunities to grow as artists and scholars by taking courses and working on productions. We suggest, for example…
Design Emphasis
Take Principles of Design, Stagecraft, Puppetry, Acting I, Performance Art, Making Theater, Viewing and Reviewing, Studio 305, & courses in Visual Arts. History, Music, Literature and a Dance class.
Acting Emphasis
Take Acting I, Acting II-Movement, Acting II-Voice, Shakespeare, Comedy, Studio 305 or Ensemble, a dance class, something experimental, one semester off-campus in a conservatory setting like BADA or NTI, work backstage on a show, take Stagecraft. Audition for everything, see everything.
Directing Emphasis
Take Making Theater, Acting I, Directing, Principles of Design, Stagecraft, Ensemble, Studio 305, classes in Visual Art, Dramatic Literature classes in English, such as Shakespeare, Modern Drama; direct something for Masque and Gown; do a directed study on-campus; read every play you can get your hands on; see everything. Take classes in history, literature, music, and other departments that relate to what you want to bring to the stage.
Dance/Theater Emphasis
Take Making Dances, Making Theater, Dance 111/112, 211/212, Acting I, Acting II, Directing, Making Dances II, Improvisation, Performance Art, Viewing and Reviewing, Ensemble, Studio 305, Rebel Dancers, make pieces for the dance concert, do a directed study on-campus.