Theatre Majors

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    Welcome to Gannon University's Theatre Department

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    About the Program

    • Theatre is housed in the Gannon University College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. Theatre Walls 1Students in the theatre program interact with students and professors in the fields of business, education, advertising, journalism, political science, language and journalism.
    • Professors in the theatre and communication arts (TCA) programs are dynamic, experienced scholars and practitioners with a passion for teaching. The combined TCA faculty has more than 100 years of real world experience.
    • The department of theatre and communication arts sponsors trips to New York City and London, as well as tours of theatres in neighboring cities and participation in the American College Theatre Festival Region II.
    • Gannon’s location in downtown Erie places students near three operating theatres.
    • Theatre students participate in the preproduction and production process of the technical side of the Schuster Theatre main stage. Lighting, sound design, set construction, scenic painting and graphic design are integral elements for a large scale theatrical program.
     


     

     

    Special Associations

    • We are active participants in the International Collegiate Theatre Festival held annually in Edinburgh, Scotland. We will be returning in August 2014 with an original work involving student designed and manipulated puppets.

    • Students from the Theatre program have the opportunity to attend the annual United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT) conference with Gannon faculty. This conference enables our students to meet and interact with theatre design and technology professionals from across the country. Students may attend various workshops, interview for internships, have their design portfolios reviewed, and meet with various theatre graduate programs during the week-long conference. 

     

     

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    Admission Requirements

     

    • Completion of 16 academic units at the high school level, four of which must be English; remainder of units are to be comprised of social sciences, foreign language, mathematics and science.
    • Your academic course selection, grades, rank in class, guidance counselor recommendation and SAT/ACT scores will be carefully reviewed for admission consideration.
    • Demonstrate motivation and curiosity through interests and extracurricular activities.

     

     

  • Gannon University Theatre Facts

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    • Unlike larger programs, Gannon theatre students can get involved both on- and off-stage beginning their freshman year.
    • Gannon has four main stage and several laboratory theatre productions each year on campus at the Schuster Theatre.
    • Casting is done from the student body with all crew positions, both technical and managerial, held by students.
    • The theatre department is affiliated with Alpha Psi Omega (National Dramatic Honor Society), The Association for Theatre in Higher Education, Theatre as a Liberal Art (TLA), United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT) and the National Association of College Broadcasters.
    • Those with ties to Gannon’s theatre program have enjoyed national success such as: Michael Morris (HBO’s The Comeback), Shawn Lucas (HBO’s The Sopranos) and Joey Mendicino (MTV’s The 70’s House).

  • Theatre Walls 2Curriculum

    Freshman

    FALL SEMESTER

    First Year Seminar - 2
    College Composition - 3
    History of the West and the World -  3
    Fundamentals of Speech - 3
    Introduction to Theatre - 3
    Introduction to Electronic Media - 3
    Total Credits - 17

     

    SPRING SEMESTER

    Critical Analysis and Composition - 3
    Introduction to Philosophy - 3
    Scene Technology - 3
    Sacred Scripture - 3
    Theatre History - 3
    Total Credits - 15
     

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    SOPHOMORE

    FALL SEMESTER

    Foreign Language I - 3
    Philosophy II Series - 3
    Fundamentals of Acting - 3
    Audio Production - 3
    Contemporary Issues in Media and Theatre - 3
    Voice and Diction - 3
    Total Credits - 18

     

    SPRING SEMESTER

    Foreign Language II - 3
    Theology II Series - 3
    TV and Radio Performance - 3
    TV Production - 3
    Elective - 3
    Total Credits - 15
     

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    JUNIOR

    FALL SEMESTER

    Broadcast Copywriting - 3
    Criticism in Theatre or Media Ethics and Criticism - 3
    Theology or Philosophy III Series - 3
    Leadership Seminar - 1
    Elective*  - 3
    Production and Performance in Theatre - 3
    Total Credits - 16

     

    SPRING SEMESTER

    Advanced Acting or Improvisation - 3
    Elective* - 3
    Digital Graphics or Principles of Design - 3
    Argumentation & Debate - 3
    Mathematics - 3
    Literature Series - 3
    Total Credits - 18
     

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    SENIOR

    FALL SEMESTER

    Principles of Play Directing - 3
    Liberal Studies Science - 3
    Elective* - 3
    Social Science Series - 3
    Interpersonal Communication - 3
    Total Credits - 15

     

    SPRING SEMESTER

    Senior Seminar and Thesis - 3
    Electives*  - 8
    Fine Art Series - 3
    Total Credits - 14

  • Why Choose Gannon?

    Henry 2Aside from professional theatre and entertainment, graduates in theatre may also find careers in teaching drama, counseling, law and in public or private recreational programs. Many theatre students also pursue graduate education in theatre and related careers.

    If you are interested in understanding how to promote yourself as an artist—practicing auditions and readying yourself for a career as a performer—Gannon’s theatre program can help you. As a theatre major you will gain on- and off-stage experience and will develop a versatile background in both classic and contemporary theatre.

    Some graduates find opportunities in professional venues and in theatre-related careers, including arts management, theatre education and television/film production. As the film and television industry continues to grow, careers can be found in directing, scriptwriting, design and arts management. For many theatre graduates, large metropolitan areas such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles provide the best exposure to the job market.

  • Electives

    new inside 5• Advanced Acting
    • Advertising and the Electronic Media
    • Animation
    • Broadcast Law and Regulation
    • Broadcast News Writing and Production
    • Contemporary Drama
    • Dance Techniques
    • Digital Drawing
    • Digital Graphics
    • Improvisation
    • Mixed Chorus
    • Modern Drama
    • Musical Theatre
    • Production and Performance TV
    • Professional Internship in TV and Radio
    • Rehearsal/Performance Theatre
    • Stage Combat
    • WERGi (Digital Radio)

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Gannon University

109 University Square • Erie, Pennsylvania 16541-0001
1-800 GANNON-U (1-800-426-6668) or 814-871-7000