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Theater and Performance Major

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An Interdisciplinary Approach to Performance

The Spelman College Theatre and Performance Department offers the creative and inquisitive candidate an opportunity to explore performance, writing, and design through experimentation and exploration. This interdisciplinary approach to performance offers a gateway to multifaceted opportunities in performance, theatre studies, and the creative industries. Students are encouraged to experiment with performance modalities featuring text, film, songs, and site-specific areas to develop and create original stories.

Contact Info

Theater and Performance

350 Spelman Lane, SW
Atlanta, GA 30314

404-270-3576
patriciashipp@spelman.edu

Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Requirements

Core Courses

The theater and performance major consists of 48 semester credits. The major is divided into four areas: the Core; Literature, History and Criticism; Performance; and Technical Theatre/Management. Students majoring in theater and performance are required to take all of the courses offered in the core (40 credit hours) including four semesters of Production Lab and two department electives.

Core Courses (40 Credit Hours) (Required)

  • STHR 104A 01 - First-year Division of the Arts Seminar (4)
  • STHR 204A 01 - Sophomore Division of the Arts Seminar (4)
  • THR 101 Performance Ensemble (4)
  • THR 102 Principles of Acting (4)
  • THR 121 Introduction to Technical Theatre and Design (4)
  • THR 200 Production Lab (1x4 semesters)
  • THR 207 Dramatic Theory and Criticism (4)
  • THR 208 Breath, Voice, and Movement (4)
  • THR 309 Playwriting (4)
  • THR 328 Scenography I (4)
  • THR 4XX Directing (4)
  • THR 4XX Hip Pocket Solo Works (4)

Elective Courses

Elective Courses (8 Credit Hours)

  • THR 103 Theatre Insight (4)
  • THR 210 Women in Theatre and Performance (4)
  • THR 300 Contemporary Drama (4)
  • THR 302 Management for the Arts (4)
  • THR 306 Monologue and Scene Study (4)
  • THR 326 Lighting Design (4)
  • THR 327 Costume Design (4)
  • THR 000 Scenography II (4)
  • THR 400 Voice/Speech (Distance Learning) (4)
  • THR 4XX Contemporary Theatre Writing (4)
  • THR 406 Captivate the Camera (4)
  • THR 407 Script Analysis (4)
  • THR 409 Seminar in African American Theatre (4)

Other Requirements

Departmental Productions

All majors are expected to participate fully in the life of the department by either performing in or doing back-stage work in at least four productions.

Auditions

The audition process provides invaluable learning opportunities. Therefore, students are required to attend general auditions at the beginning of each academic year and to audition for each departmental production to gain auditioning experience.

Internships

Students are encouraged to participate in at least one internship during their time in the department.

Departmental Honors

To be eligible for departmental honors, a student must:

  • Have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average
  • Have a 3.3 departmental grade point average
  • Have no initial course grade in the major below “B”
  • Display exemplary service to the department
  • Participate in at least four departmental productions

Please refer to the latest College Bulletin for full requirements and course descriptions.

Alumna Spotlight

Sydney DuPree, a senior theater major and transfer student from Port St. Lucie, Florida, is one of four valedictorians who will graduate from Spelman College on May 21, 2023.

A member of the Delta Lambda Honors Society, DuPree is on the executive board of the Brains With Beauty Project, a nonprofit education and empowerment organization started by Spelman alumna and 2022 valedictorian Nailah Barnes that equips Black girls and young women with tools to accentuate their innate brilliance and beauty.

DuPree, who is on track to graduate summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA, enjoys acting, drawing, painting and writing. She is currently signed with Atlanta's Forward Agency as a television/film actress and landed two roles in television and film this year. She also presented, "DADDY: A Live Walk-Thru Drama About Human Trafficking" at Spelman earlier this semester. The hard hitting, immersive theatrical production began in the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D., Academic Center lobby and then transitioned to different spaces as audience members walked together from scene to scene. DuPree aspires to use her acting experience to pursue a career as a casting director.

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