The Theatre School's Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Theatre Management program teaches students both the art and business of theatre while preparing them for careers in the extensive and growing performing arts industry. With a focus on both non-profit arts administration and the commercial theatre, the Theatre Management program uses the theatrical community in Chicago as a laboratory where students interview arts leaders, discover best practices through research, and participate in the art form through internships and production practice assignments.
The Theatre Management curriculum combines Theatre Arts courses from The Theatre School with courses from the Liberal Studies program and The Driehaus College of Business. In alternating years the program offers the New York City Intensive, a one week independent study in New York City, America's commercial theatre capital. Theatre Management faculty members are industry professionals allowing you a first-hand experience.
Upon completion of the Theatre Management program you will earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre Management at The Theatre School and, with the addition of a single course, a minor in Management through The Driehaus College of Business.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Liberal Studies Requirements | 52 |
| Major Requirements | 155 |
| Total hours required | 207 |
Learning Outcomes
Core Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Identify and describe the historical and theoretical significance of a range of theatrical artists, works, and artistic approaches from antiquity to present.
- Synthesize and apply elements of their education and training to the preparation, rehearsal, and presentation of theatrical productions with discipline, respect, and maturity.
- Identify and explain their theatrical work in the context of the cultural and social impact of the arts.
Program Specific Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Design and implement a plan for the preparation, rehearsal, and presentation of theatrical productions, including budgeting and marketing.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the practice of the various disciplines involved in the creation of a theatrical performance and both the artistic and practical requirements of each.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and have an understanding of the documentation required for the planning and execution of theatrical productions, including budgeting and contracts.
Liberal Studies Requirements
Honors program requirements can be found in the individual Colleges & Schools section of the University Catalog. Select the appropriate college or school, followed by Undergraduate Academics and scroll down.
| First Year Program | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Quarter | ||
| LSP 110 or LSP 111 | DISCOVER CHICAGO or EXPLORE CHICAGO | 4 |
| Focal Point | ||
| Not Required | ||
| Writing | ||
| WRD 103 | COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC I 1 | 4 |
| WRD 104 | COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC II 1 | 4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MAT 120 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING 2 | 4 |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Race, Power, and Resistance | ||
| LSP 200 | SEMINAR ON RACE, POWER, AND RESISTANCE | 4 |
| Junior Year | ||
| Experiential Learning | ||
| Not Required | ||
| Senior Year | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Not Required | ||
- 1
Students must earn a C- or better in this course.
- 2
Readiness for MAT 120 is determined by the math placement test taken online after admission. Students may need to take developmental coursework prior to MAT 120. The MAT 120 requirement may be waived by passing a dedicated proficiency exam or it may be fulfilled by credit for advanced math coursework earned in-residence at DePaul (MAT 135, MAT 136, MAT 147, MAT 148, MAT 149, MAT 150, MAT 151, MAT 152 MAT 155, MAT 156, or equivalent) or earned externally either as transfer credit from another college/university or as test credit through AP, CLEP, IB, or International A and A/S Level exams. Calculus course(s) may be used to fulfill any of the three QR/MCD requirements.
Learning Domains
Arts and Literature (AL)
- THE 204 HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE
- THE 205 HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE
- THE 206 HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE
Historical Inquiry (HI)
- 1 Course Required
Math and Computing (MC)
- Not Required
Philosophical Inquiry (PI)
- 1 Course Required
Religious Dimensions (RD)
- 1 Course Required
Scientific Inquiry (SI)
- 1 Lab Course or 1 SWK Course Required
Social, Cultural, and Behavioral Inquiry (SCBI)
- Not Required
Other
- Choose 1 course from the above learning domains as an elective
Notes
Specified required courses within Liberal Studies may have grade minimums (e.g. C- or better). Please consult your advisor or your college and major requirements.
Courses offered in the student's primary major cannot be taken to fulfill LSP Domain requirements. If students double major, LSP Domain courses may double count for both LSP credit and the second major.
In meeting learning domain requirements, no more than one course that is outside the student’s major and is cross-listed with a course within the student’s major, can be applied to count for LSP domain credit. This policy does not apply to those who are pursuing a double major or earning BFA or BM degrees.
Major Requirements
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| TEC 105 | INTRODUCTION TO STAGE MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| THE 210 | SCRIPT ANALYSIS | 4 |
| THE 212 | INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE STUDIES | 4 |
| THE 268 | INTRODUCTION TO THE PRODUCTION PROCESS | 4 |
| THE 291 | PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP I | 4 |
| History of Dramatic Literature Sequence (Arts and Literature Requirement) | ||
| HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE | ||
| HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE | ||
| HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE | ||
| Theatre Crew | 4 | |
| THEATRE CREW | ||
| Second Year | ||
| THE 324 | DRAMATIC THEORY | 4 |
| Theatre Management I Sequence | ||
| THE 201 | INTRO TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT PERFORMING ARTS MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP | 4 |
| THE 202 | THEATRE MANAGEMENT I: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| THE 203 | THEATRE MANAGEMENT I: PERFORMING ARTS MARKETING STRATEGIES & PLANNING | 4 |
| Design | ||
| ART 101 | DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS | 4 |
| THE 141 | DESIGN WORKSHOP | 4 |
| Accounting & Microeconomics | ||
| ACC 101 | INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING I | 4 |
| ECO 105 | PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS | 4 |
| Internship: Select one four credit-hours 1 | 4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| THE 207 | THEATRE MANAGEMENT I: INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | 4 |
| THE 325 | DRAMATIC CRITICISM | 4 |
| PRF 374 | DIRECTING | 4 |
| THE 408 | CAPSTONE:ARTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 4 |
| THE 426 | SEMINAR: TOPICS IN THEATRE STUDIES Legal Issues in Theatre | 4 |
| Theatre Management II Sequence | ||
| THE 301 | THEATRE MANAGEMENT II: INTRODUCTION TO COMMERCIAL THEATRE PRODUCING | 4 |
| THE 302 | THEATRE MANAGEMENT II: COMMERCIAL THEATRE GENERAL MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| Production Practice | ||
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| THEATRE STUDIES PRODUCTION PRACTICE I | ||
| THEATRE STUDIES PRODUCTION PRACTICE I | ||
| THEATRE STUDIES PRODUCTION PRACTICE I | ||
| Management Concepts and Practices Sequence | ||
| MGT 270 | INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 4 |
| MGT 300 | PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| MGT 301 | PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| MGT 303 | MANAGING PROJECTS AND TEAMS | 4 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| THE 214 | ETHICAL DECISION MAKING N THE THEATRE | 4 |
| TEC 457 | PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SEMINAR | 3 |
| MGT 307 | HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| MGT 355 | NEGOTIATIONS | 4 |
| MGT 360 | LEADERSHIP | 4 |
| MGT 373 | CREATIVITY & ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 4 |
| Dramatic Literature and Special Topics Electives: Select two courses in consultation with advisor | 8 | |
| Internships: Select two, six credit-hours each 1 | 12 | |
- 1
Internships are designed to meet the individual needs of the student. The internship will entail practical work in the Theatre Management field with a producing theatre company. Internships will be supervised and evaluated by the faculty of the program.
Open Electives
Open elective credit may also be required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours.
Assignments Outside the Academic Calendar
Work on The Theatre School’s production season extends outside of the university’s academic calendar. Some production assignments may require participation up to two weeks before the beginning of fall quarter, during a portion of the winter break, or during spring break. Specific details pertaining to different programs, specific assignments, and options for students not able to participate outside of the university’s academic calendar are available in the Theatre School Student Handbook and the Theatre School website.