The impulse toward theatre is universal. Wherever human society has developed so has the drive to create, educate, and entertain. Theatre is a way of seeing men and women in action, of observing what they do and why they do it. Because human beings are the subject and the means of expression, theatre is one of the most immediate ways of experiencing what it means to be human. Individuals who explore the world of theatre grow in understanding of cultural diversity, self-knowledge, communications skills, and self-expression. With numerous opportunities for “hands-on” performance and technical experiences, coupled with invaluable classroom academics, the Theatre Program at Sul Ross offers a practical general overview of the performance and technical aspects of theatre.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre prepares students to pursue professional advanced degrees in acting, directing, playwriting, design, and technical production. In addition, an all-level teacher certification is also available. Students may choose from three degree plans including Acting and Directing, Technical Design and Production, or Film Production.
Graduate hours in Theatre may be used for a Master of Education degree or a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts.
Minor in Theatre
Students complete 18 semester credit hours of coursework to include six semester credit hours of advanced coursework. No more than six semester credit hours from the following can be used for a minor: Theatre 1101, 1102, 2101, 2102, 2308, 3101, 3102, 3303, 3307, 4101, or 4102.
Program Coordinator
Carolyn Barrientes
432.837.8218
cxb17kq@sulross.edu
Welcome to an exciting new chapter in your development as a professional artist! A Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre prepares you for much more than just a career in the arts. As you progress towards your degree, you’ll learn how to collaborate with a creative team, communicate with the public, plan and execute marketing strategies, produce live events and films, and you’ll master practical life skills like design, construction, and painting, as well as the use of a wide array of power tools. And that’s only the beginning of the list. There’s so much more!
The BFA in Theatre has three main concentrations:
- Acting/Directing
- Design & Production
- Film Production
Each of these degrees has some classes in common; for example, all majors take Acting I. Each degree also has classes that are specific to the concentration. For example, only Film Production students will take Basic and Advanced Video Production.
The BFA concentrations differ from other degree programs in that your concentration is your major and your minor. You will begin taking Theatre classes alongside your core curriculum classes (a range courses required by the State of Texas for all undergraduate degrees) on day one of your freshman year.
The BFA program is both rewarding and challenging. You’ll have opportunities to work in all areas of Theatre and Film to discover what aspects of this art form best suit you and your career aspirations. The time commitment is substantial. You’ll be working on shows and films over nights and weekends. But the people you’ll meet and collaborate with – both fellow students and faculty – share your interests and passion for everything that makes theater and film exciting and fulfilling. This is a program where you’ll develop working relationships that will last for the rest of your career.
The Theatre program typically produces between three and five fully-staged productions across the Fall and Spring semesters, and also produces two shows at the Kokernot Outdoor Theatre each summer under the Theatre of the Big Bend Banner. Fall and Spring productions are staged in the 700-seat Marshall Auditorium or the more intimate 80-seat Studio Theatre. One of the benefits of studying at a smaller school like Sul Ross State is that students have multiple opportunities to act, write, design, crew, and work front-of-house for all of these productions. Some of these same positions are offered as paid work-study jobs as part of a financial aid package. The only limits on your opportunities are your time and dedication!
Likewise, Film majors have access to professional equipment like our Red cameras and SoundDesigns location recording equipment as well as our 2400 sqft Motion Capture soundstage. Alpine is a very film-friendly town. In a large city, you might contend with expensive frustrations like location permitting and hiring security for your sets…but not here! Our local community is very supportive of all of our artists.
A partial list of careers you might pursue with a BFA in Theatre includes (but is not limited to!):
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
- Producer
- Artistic Director
- Managing Director
- Technical Director
- Scenic Designer
- Costume Designer
- Sound Designer
- Lighting Designer
- Properties Designer
- Stage Manager
- Stagehand
- Set Carpenter
- Scenic Painter
- Light Board Operator
- Sound Board Operator
- Box Office manager
- Marketing and Group Sales Manager
- Dramaturg
- Screenwriter
- Film Editor
- Sound Editor
- Cinematographer
- Production Designer
- Gaffer
- Grip
- Sound Recordist
- Camera Operator
- DIT – Digital Imaging Technician
- Post-Production Mixer
- Post-Production Supervisor
- Computer-Generated FX Artist
- Foley Artist
- Assistant Director
- Casting Director
- Music Supervisor
- Production Coordinator
- Line Producer
- Location Coordinator
And this is just a partial list. Wonder which of these careers might be for you? Call today and ask to speak with a Theatre program advisor.
| Marjorie Scott, MFA, SAG Assistant Professor of Theatre and Communication Chair, Dept. of Fine Arts and Communication FAB 106 C-43 432.837.8039 mscott3@sulross.edu |
Carolyn Barrientes, MFA Assistant Professor of Theatre, Design and Costume Construction FAB 206C C-43 432.837.8218 cxb17kq@sulross.edu |
| Alex Fleming, MFA Associate Professor of Theater, Design and Technical Theater Technical Director FAB 106 C-43 432.837.8218 arf19pz@sulross.edu |
Eva Gil, MFA, SAG Assistant Professor of Theatre, Acting/Directing FAB 203B C-43 432.832.8372 eva.gil@sulross.edu |
| Bret Scott, MFA Associate Professor of Communication Film Production FAB 208 C-43 432.837.8794 bscott@sulross.edu |
“Thanks to the skills I learned at Sul Ross, I’m now a working professional in the industry in NYC. I just finished six weeks on a Netflix series and I’m off to Washington state as a production coordinator on a Discovery Channel series next week.” – Natalie Davis, class of 2018
“It all started right here for me. It’s been a lot of hard work and tons of auditions, but I’ve got a career as a journeyman actor thanks to Sul Ross.” David DeLaO (Better Call Saul, Silk Road, The Marksman), Class of 2009
“I feel like I’m ready to jump into my career with both feet and be a professional, thanks to my teachers and my experiences at Sul Ross.” Sedia Woods, Class of 2021
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Degree Plans
B.F.A., Theatre – Acting/Directing
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
THEA 1322
3 credit hours
THEA 1352
3 credit hours
THEA 1351
3 credit hours
THEA 2336
3 credit hours
THEA 2310
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
SRSU 1101
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 16 sch
Total: 15 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
THEA 2311
3 credit hours
THEA 3309
3 credit hours
THEA 2331
3 credit hours
MUS 1111
1 credit hour
THEA 2307
3 credit hours
MUS 1112/2112
1 credit hour
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
_
_
Core Class
3 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 14 sch
Summer Semester
_
THEA 3303
3 credit hours
_
_
THEA 3307
3 credit hours
_
_
THEA 1120
1 credit hour
_
_
THEA 2120
1 credit hour
_
_
THEA 2112/3112
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 9 sch
_
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
THEA 3101
1 credit hour
THEA 3312
3 credit hours
THEA 3302
3 credit hours
THEA 3316
3 credit hours
THEA 3317
3 credit hours
THEA 3308
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
FA 3308
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
THEA 3102
1 credit hour
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Total: 16 sch
Total: 16 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
THEA 3311/3321
3 credit hours
THEA 4304
3 credit hours
THEA 3318
3 credit hours
THEA 4308
3 credit hours
THEA 4306
3 credit hours
THEA 4307
3 credit hours
THEA 4101
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 10 sch
Total: 9 sch
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: 120
B.F.A., Theatre – Theatre Design & Technology
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
THEA 2310
3 credit hours
CSAT 2307
3 credit hours
THEA 2331
3 credit hours
THEA 1372
3 credit hours
THEA 1351
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
SRSU 1101
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 16 sch
Total: 15 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
THEA 2311
3 credit hours
THEA 3309
3 credit hours
THEA 1120
1 credit hour
THEA 3314
3 credit hour
ART 1316
3 credit hours
THEA 1121
1 credit hour
IT 2307
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
_
_
Total: 16 sch
Total: 13 sch
Summer Semester
_
THEA 3303
3 credit hours
_
_
THEA 3307
3 credit hours
_
_
THEA 2120
1 credit hour
_
_
THEA 2121
1 credit hour
_
_
THEA 3101
1 credit hour
_
_
THEA 3102
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 10 sch
_
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
THEA 3302
3 credit hours
THEA 3312
3 credit hours
THEA 4101
1 credit hour
THEA 3316
3 credit hours
THEA 3304
3 credit hours
FA 3303
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Total: 13 sch
Total: 15 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
THEA 3311/3321
3 credit hours
THEA 4304
3 credit hours
THEA 3318
3 credit hours
THEA 3315
3 credit hours
THEA 4102
1 credit hour
THEA 4307
3 credit hours
THEA 3313
3 credit hours
_
_
Core Class
3 credit hours
_
_
Total: 13 sch
Total: 9 sch
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: 120
B.F.A., Film Production
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
COMM 2306
3 credit hours
THEA 1352
3 credit hours
THEA 1322
3 credit hours
COMM 1325
3 credit hours
THEA 1351
3 credit hours
CSAT 2307
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
SRSU 1101
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 16 sch
Total: 15 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
THEA 2331
3 credit hours
COMM 3313
3 credit hours
THEA 2307
3 credit hours
THEA 3312
3 credit hour
ART 1316
3 credit hours
COMM 3307
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 15 sch
Summer Semester
_
THEA 3303
3 credit hours
_
_
COMM 3330/3331 (Choose 1)
3 credit hours
_
_
COMM 3332/3333 (Choose 1)
3 credit hours
_
_
THEA 1120
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 10 sch
_
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
THEA 3101
1 credit hour
FA 3303
3 credit hours
THEA 3317
3 credit hours
THEA 3322
3 credit hours
THEA 3321
3 credit hours
THEA 3309
3 credit hours
COMM 3308
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
Core Class
3 credit hours
_
_
Total: 16 sch
Total: 15 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
THEA 3318
3 credit hours
THEA 4304
3 credit hours
THEA 4306
3 credit hours
THEA 4308
3 credit hours
THEA 3319
3 credit hours
THEA 4307
3 credit hours
Total: 9 sch
Total: 9 sch
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: 120
