May 12, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Theatre, Design/Technology Concentration, B.F.A.


Theatre and Dance  
Darren Levin
Darren.Levin@mtsu.edu

A professional degree and concentration focused on the artistic and technical skills required to create the visual and structural world of theatrical productions. Hands-on training is emphasized in the behind-the-scenes disciplines that bring performances to life.  Students study areas such as scenic, lighting, costume and sound design, props, stage management, and technical direction, gaining both creative and technical competencies. Coursework is combined with extensive production assignments, allowing students to apply their skills in real theatre environments.

All students applying for this program are required to interview in person or virtually. Interviews will include the following:

  • a resume
  • a digital portfolio showcasing work in area(s) of expertise (lighting, sound, scenic, and costume design)

Admission to Candidacy


All students are required to be admitted to candidacy to earn a B.F.A. degree in Theatre. Candidacy is required as a prerequisite to enrollment in most upper-division THEA courses, including those required for major electives.

For guaranteed admission to candidacy, a student must have

  • completed all learning support requirements;
  • completed all high school deficiencies;
  • completed 30 hours of coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0;
  • completed all candidacy courses (12 hours) with a grade of 2.0 (C) or better: THEA 1015, THEA 2000, THEA 2100, THEA 2900, and THEA 3820; and earned a GPA of 3.5 on all major coursework.

Candidacy Appeals


Students who complete each of the above THEA candidacy courses with a grade of 2.0 (C) or better but fail to meet one or more of the other requirements may appeal for admission.

A limited number of students may be admitted to candidacy on appeal, based upon available resources and upon faculty committee recommendation. Approval by appeal will be based on exceptional circumstances and/or exceptional talent considerations.

Candidacy admission by appeal will be granted following faculty committee review near the beginning and end of each Fall and Spring term as announced by email. Online appeal applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, with deadlines announced via email.

Academic Map


Degree Requirements


True Blue Core (TBC) 41 hours
Major Requirements 61 hours
     Theatre Core    25 hours
     Design/Technology Concentration    36 hours
Guided Electives 18 hours
TOTAL 120 hours

True Blue Core (41 hours)


True Blue Core (TBC) requirements (shown in curricular listings below) include courses in the Foundational Skills areas of Written Communication (WC), Information Literacy (Info Lit), Non-Written Communication (NWC), and Quantitative Literacy (Quant Lit). Knowledge Domains include Human Society and Social Relationships (HSSR), Scientific Literacy (Sci Lit), Creativity and Cultural Expression (CCE), and History and Civic Learning (HCL), which include Discovery and Explorations categories. Students must choose at least one course from each Discovery category.

Major Requirements (61 hours)


Curriculum: Theatre, Design/Technology


Freshman Fall


Subtotal: 15 hours


Freshman Spring


Subtotal: 16 hours


Sophomore Fall


Subtotal: 15 hours


Sophomore Spring


Subtotal: 16 hours


Junior Fall


Subtotal: 15 hours


Junior Spring


Subtotal: 14 hours


Senior Fall


Subtotal: 16 hours


Senior Spring


Subtotal: 13 hours