University of North Dakota
Department of Theatre Arts
Student Handbook
http://www.theatre.und.edu/
Department of Theatre Arts
Chandler Hall, Room 5
3280 Davis Drive Stop #8136
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Department Office phone: 701-777-3446
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MISSION
The mission of the Department of Theatre Arts is to achieve the following objections:
a. To provide a quality liberal arts foundation for all theatre majors.
b. To provide experiences that will engender an appreciation and understanding of Theatre
and how it enriches our life.
c. To provide academic training and practical experience appropriate for students who wish
to pursue careers in theatre or who wish to continue their studies at an advanced
professional or graduate program.
d. To serve as a cultural resource for the university community and the general public.
The Department of Theatre Arts aims to fulfill the objectives through the following goals:
a. All theatre majors will successfully complete the University Essential Studies courses
and demonstrate significant level of competency through completion of a Senior Project.
b. Majors and non-majors will improve creative thinking skills through theatre courses
within the essential studies curriculum.
c. Majors will achieve competency in at least one of the following areas: acting, musical
theatre, design and technology, or general studies in theatre.
d. The Department of Theatre will serve the university, region, and state through quality
performances of a rich variety of theatre styles.
Assessment: Each of the goals is assessed through a variety of methods. Briefly each goal is
assessed as follows:
a. The Senior Project assesses student achievement in competency in written
communication, critical analysis, and creative thinking. Bachelor of Fine Arts students
are assessed for a performance portion of the project.
b. Theatre offers four courses for the Essential Studies curriculum in Fine Arts: Thea 110
Introduction to Theatre, Thea 161 Beginning Acting, and Thea 270 Stagecraft; and in
Humanities, Thea 330 Contemporary Theatre. Each course is assessed each semester to
measure the degree of success in meeting the Essential Studies Goals and reviewed every
three years by the Essential Studies Committee.
c. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance and the Bachelor of Fine Arts in
Musical Theatre each assess students’ progress in annual reviews.
DEGREE PROGRAMS
The Department of Theatre Arts at UND offers three types of degree programs in theatre, as well
as a Minor in Theatre and a Minor in Dance which are defined as follows:
The Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees
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The Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Performance (Acting) is a pre-professional
degree designed to help each student prepare for a professional career in theatre.
Candidates accepted into the programs will be expected to maintain a high standard of
excellence and to demonstrate significant artistic growth. Students audition for
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admittance to the program in the spring of their sophomore year and are reviewed
annually.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre is a pre-professional degree designed to
help each student prepare for a professional career in theatre. Each student will be
trained in acting, vocal performance and dance. Students audition for admittance to the
program as incoming freshmen. Transfer and current students may also audition. Video
auditions as well as scheduled private auditions are also acceptable. Students in the
program are reviewed annually.
The Bachelor of Arts Degree
The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for the student who seeks a general liberal arts
education with an emphasis in theatre. The BA includes studies in theatre literature and history,
acting, directing, technical theatre, and design. Design students may focus on design and
technical theatre by careful selection of classes in consultation with an advisor. Many students
choose to seek a double major, combining the BA in theater with such diverse programs as
broadcasting, music, aviation, business, honors, criminal justice, English, and visual arts.
Beyond the general education requirements mandated by the university, BA students are required
to reach level II proficiency of a foreign language prior to graduation.
The Master of Arts Degree
The Master of Arts in theatre is a generalist degree with the opportunity to specialize in one area
such as directing, acting, scenic, lighting, or costume design, technical theatre, or dramatic
theory/criticism, and history. Students are required to take classes in both scholarship and
performance. The degree program is suited for several types of students such as those preparing
for advanced study in theatre in a master of fine arts or doctoral program; those who wish to
pursue a professional market, such as Chicago, the Twin Cities, or other regional artistic mecca;
and those who want to further their teaching careers and energize their own production programs
by pursuing further research in theatre.
Minor in Theatre Arts
The minor in theatre arts consists of 23 hours of course work and encourages students to sample
a great variety of topics within the discipline. Students with majors from all over campus, from
engineering to aviation, have elected to declare a minor in theatre arts, recognizing theatre as a
vocational life pursuit.
Minor in Dance
The Minor in Dance in the Department of Theatre Arts consists of 23 credits with a focus on
technique. At this time no audition is required.
Admissions to the Department of Theatre Arts
Students may declare a minor or Bachelor of Arts degree by consulting with the department
chairperson, followed by filling necessary forms. No audition is required to be admitted to the
Bachelor of Arts degree.
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Students seeking admittance to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre program should
consult with the Head of the BFA in Musical Theatre or the department chairperson (see the
BFA in Musical Theatre Handbook).
Students seeking admittance to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance (Acting) should consult
with the department chairperson. Auditions are held no earlier than the sophomore year.
Academic Standing as a Theatre Major
All B.A. theatre majors are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0
Failure to do so will result in probation or dismissal from the program, and may affect
considerations for the student’s participation in productions.
All B.F.A. theatre majors are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
Failure to do so will result in probation or dismissal from the BFA program, and may affect
considerations for the student’s participation in productions.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Academic Advisors
After declaring a major in theatre arts (either the BA or BFA) the student should consult with the
department chairperson to determine which faculty member who would best serve as advisor to
the student. To change either advisor or major currently requires that paperwork be processed by
the College of Arts and Sciences.
Note: Although your advisor provides information regarding course selection it is ultimately
your responsibility to insure that all of your degree requirements are met both within the
department and with regards to Essential Studies.
Copies of degree status sheets are included in the appendix so that students may keep track of
their degree progress. Theatre majors are required by department policy to meet with their
advisors each semester to evaluate the student’s progress and future goals – academic and
creative – within the department. Student records are placed on hold until they have met with
their advisor.
Faculty Evaluation
Students participate in faculty evaluation by filling out university evaluations forms near the end
of each semester. Some professors may ask that students fill out additional evaluations or write
evaluative materials for that faulty member’s own evaluation purposes. These individualized
forms may have been designed for more complete evaluation of a specific course.
Departmental Governance
Students are asked to participate in departmental operations through the elected officials of the
student theatre group, Society of Dionysus
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Illnesses and Absences
Courses in Theatre Arts require that students take great effort to attend class in a regular and
punctual fashion. Most performance classes mandate participation. In cases of absence because
of illness, students are required to bring proof from a doctor in order to be able to make up
missed classes. In the case of other absences, and to the extent possible with illness, students
should contact professors prior to class to discuss the nature of their absence and to inquire about
work missed.
All courses will vary to some extent on the exact attendance policy. Students should pay close
attention to such policies as found in the syllabus for the course and in information related by the
professor.
The Play Loan Library
The department has its own collection of scripts. Currently there are no regular hours for this
library; students are encouraged to talk with the faculty of the program or with the departmental
secretary in order to gain access to this collection.
Student Appeals
If a student feels that a course grade or action by a professor is not correct, the student has the
right to appeal. The first step in the process is to discuss the grade or action with the instructor.
If, after this discussion, the student is still unsatisfied, he or she may discuss the case with the
department chairperson. If further action is merited or requested by the student, the department
chairperson will discuss the process with the student. A full explanation of student appeals
processes maybe found in the university catalogue and the university Code of Conduct
Performance Attendance
Theatre majors are required to attend every main-stage and all Studio Lab theatre productions
presented by the department. Season passes are provided for all theatre majors.
Many of the department’s courses require students to attend departmental productions. A student
may also be asked to attend community and professional productions as part of the requirements
for the course. Students should make every effort to attend a wide range of productions
throughout their academic careers, required or not.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Audition and Casting Policies
1. While auditions for UND Theatre productions are open to all students, faculty, staff and
community members, persons should recognize that UND Theatre is committed to the
education of its students and that some casting decisions will be made with the overall
education of the individual student in mind.
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2. Usually all roles in each production will be open to all persons auditioning. Should any
role be pre-cast (as in the case of a “guest artist”), this will be clearly stated prior to the
auditions.
3. Actors who are called back should initial the callback sheet. Those who cannot attend
the scheduled callbacks must notify the director before auditions begin.
4. Any actor who reads for a director during callbacks will be expected to accept, rehearse,
and perform the role for which s/he has been cast.
5. Actors must notify directors during the audition process of possible schedule conflicts
during the rehearsal process. Scheduled conflicts during rehearsals and/or performances
will most likely result in a person not being cast.
6. After the cast list is posted and the rehearsal schedule presented, actors and production
crew members may not present any conflicts not identified in the audition or production
crew assignment process.
7. All individuals cast in a UND production will also be required to attend a photo call
following one of the performances.
8. Students who are cast in the production are encouraged to sign up for Thea 201 –
Rehearsal and Performance, a one-hour credit.
9. During the rehearsal period all actors should check the callboard, located in Chandler
Hall, for rehearsal changes, costume calls, rehearsal notes, and any other information on a
daily basis.
10. Attendance at rehearsals when you are scheduled is mandatory. Actors who are absent,
continually late, frequently ill, or habitually ill-prepared will be asked to leave the cast.
Rehearsals
Directors will attempt to distribute a complete rehearsal schedule at the first meeting of the cast
if not before.
Rehearsals for student-directed projects may rehearse at any time during the day, including the
evening period, as long as there is no conflict with the mainstage production.
Rehearsals are held in four spaces: the main theatre, the laboratory theatre, Chandler 104 and
108. The main theatre is reserved for mainstage productions only. The other three spaces can be
reserved for rehearsals by signing out the spaces on the forms posted on the callboard.
Stage Makeup
Theatre majors are required to buy their own basic kit early on in their academic careers. The
department will provide kits for non-majors
Complimentary Ticket Policy
All declared theatre majors will receive one coupon for each show. Students are required to sign
the coupon and present it to the Box Office for a complimentary ticket. If the coupon or ticket is
lost, neither can be replaced. Students whose names appear in the program as participants in the
production in some capacity are entitled to a total of two complimentary tickets for that
production. Reservations are required and the student must sign for the tickets at least one day
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before the performance for which the tickets are desired. Any changes to this policy (as in
restrictions on dates comps may be used) will be communicated through notices on the callboard.
Parking During Rehearsal and Run of a Show
Any person involved in a production is reminded to observe UND parking policies. The
Department of Theatre cannot pay for any tickets received during a rehearsal or run of a show.
To provide close and inviting parking for our patrons, all persons involved in the show (cast,
production team, crew, musicians) must not park in the small lot behind Burtness Theatre.
Parking is available behind Chandler and by Gustafson Hall.
Outside Participation
BFA theatre majors are required to audition for all UND Theatre main stage productions.
Exceptions to this policy may be granted for students who have dropped to part-time status or
those who are pursuing a senior project. BA and MA students are not required to participate in
departmental productions but are encouraged to become as active in the production process as
possible.
Participation in outside theatrical/performance productions are not encouraged by the department
especially if they interfere with cast, crew, design potentiality during the school year. Theatre
majors who do participate in outside theatrical/performance venues to the detriment of their
availability for any aspect of a production in the Department of Theatre Arts will be reevaluated
regarding future casting potentiality or technical/design placement within department
productions. Theatre majors should consult with their advisors before considering any
participation outside the department.
Academic Credit for Production Participation
THEA 201
Theatre Practicum (1 credit)
 Credit given for fulfillment of role in cast, or for work on any crew with
the consent of the Technical Director; only one credit of Thea 201 may be
earned each semester.
 Required: Contract form completed and signed to receive grade. (Forms
available in the appendix of the Student Handbook.)
Thea 201 credit requires a minimum of 30 hours on a crew. In almost all cases the number of
hours a student earns is considerably more. Fulfillment of all of the requirements of the position
is key to earning the credit, not the completion of the minimum hours.
THEA 481
Practicum: Students must indicate “1” or “2” credits when enrolling.
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Two credits given for fulfillment of major duty for a production:
 Stage manager
 Assistant stage manager
 Master Electrician (only in the case that it is not a year-assigned
position & with approval of the Technical Director)
 Assistant director
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Required: Contract form completed and signed to receive grade.
(Forms available in the appendix of the Student Handbook.)
One credit given for fulfillment of production duties:
 Crew Heads – wardrobe mistress, make-up, props
 Required: Contract form completed and signed to receive grade.
(Forms available in the appendix of the Student Handbook.)
Hours earned as part of Federal Work-study of Departmental institutional wage may not be
counted as part of hours needed toward a production participation credit.
How Do I Stay Informed? : Chandler Hall Callboard
All professional theatres have CALLBOARDS for announcements.
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In the hallway of Chandler Hall there is a large board on which departmental information
is posted.
This information reflects both the curricular and production aspects of the department.
Students and faculty also use the board to communicate to others in the department.
All majors and students involved in any aspects of the production program should check
the callboard on a daily basis.
The Society of Dionysus uses the Callboard to communicate news and announcements.
Burtness Theatre Callboard
Announcements specifically addressing Technical Theatre items are posted on a callboard inside
the stage door of Burtness Theatre.
Student Directed Productions
To be able to use departmental space for a student directed production the student director must
meet the following criteria:

Successfully complete Thea 300: Directing I or equivalent in another institutional
program.
 Submit a proposal (forms in appendix of Student Handbook) the semester prior to
directing project.
Student directors who are approved will receive some department support in the form of
duplicating, props, minimal scenery and lights)
FINANCIAL AID
Scholarships
The Theatre Department offers a variety of scholarships to students majoring in Theatre Arts:
 The Orth Scholarship to incoming freshmen
 The Carol Diane Erickson Endowment Scholarship to freshmen or sophomores
 The Penn Scholarship to sophomores or juniors
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The Eastman Scholarship for financial need
and The Theatre Arts Fund Scholarship
Scholarships range in value from $500.00 to $1000.00 a year. Scholarship information and
details are posted in March and interested students are required to make application for any
applicable scholarships for which they wish to be considered. Please see appendix for copies
of application forms.
Scholarship recipients are expected to take on leadership roles in all departmental activities
during the year set a winning example for others to follow, and promote and foster
collaboration and camaraderie. It is expected that scholarship recipients shall devote their
time outside of classes to activities within the department. Scholarship recipients who are
considering theatrical/performance activities outside the department are required to obtain
approval from the chair.
Federal Work Study Positions
For students whose financial aid package includes federal work-study funds, the department
hires many students to fill positions in the box office, costume shop, scene shop, and department
office. Applications are received at any time throughout the year, but most students apply within
the first week of school during the fall semester.
Institutional Positions
The department has a small budget for hiring students for positions in the above-mentioned
areas. Students need not have exhibited financial need to apply for these positions.
GENERAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Building Maintenance and Security
Chandler Hall and Burtness Theatre are typically open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday
through Friday. On weekends students will have limited access to the buildings dependent upon
major productions schedules. Students wishing to rehearse during hours beyond these times
should discuss access with a faculty member or graduate teaching assistant.
All individuals using the facilities are responsible for maintaining the buildings. All rehearsal
furniture and props should be picked up following rehearsals and stored either in one corner
of the space or, in the case of small props in lockers. All refuse should be placed in
wastebaskets. Desks and chairs should be returned to their normal placement. No food or
beverages is allowed in either of the theatre spaces, except when needed for a scene. Actors
may have water backstage as long as it is placed in closeable water bottles.
Students who fail to follow these simple rules on maintenance and security will not be allowed to
use the rehearsal spaces. Infractions should be reported to the Department Chairperson.
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All persons must abide by a simple rule of “safety first.” Rehearsal conditions, technical work,
interaction with audience, choreographing of fight scenes, etc., all require that conscientious
efforts be made to eliminate any potentially dangerous conditions.
Smoking Policies: UND is a “Smoke-Free” Campus
Should a scene or major productions require that an actor smoke, prior approval should be sought
from the Technical Director.
Scheduling Rehearsal and Performance Space
Sign-out sheets for Chandler 104, 108 and the Studio Lab theatre are placed on the callboard.
Policies for using these spaces are included. Classes, main-stage productions and approved
student-directed projects (thesis shows, senior projects, Directing II one-acts) have precedence in
scheduling the spaces.
Use of Departmental Props, Costumes, Lighting
In 99% of acting and directing scenes the available rehearsal furniture, scenery, and properties
should be sufficient. In those rare cases where an additional item is needed, students must
contact the technical director far in advance to secure her or his permission to use the additional
item.
Costuming for acting and directing scenes should come from the students’ personal wardrobes.
In rare cases when a unique of period costume is needed the student should contact the costumer
far in advance to discuss the possibility of borrowing an item.
Departmental Office
The main office for this department is located in Chandler, Room 5. The chairperson’s office is
located adjacent to Room 5. The department does not have a copy machine for student use.
Copy machines for personal use may be found in the library and various other places on campus.
The Handbook offers a general overview of the Department of Theatre Arts and may not include
complete information for all classes or specific production practices.