Why Major in Theatre and Drama?
Become a storyteller both on and off stage through immersive arts experiences and support from faculty who are actively engaged in the performing arts community.
The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Drama provides you the flexibility to explore multiple interests through a minor or a double major and can be truly interdisciplinary by combining theatre studies with a completely different major.
Meanwhile, you'll gain hands-on learning opportunities through innovative, immersive courses and opportunities to partner with local theatre companies such as the Nashville Repertory Theatre, Nashville Children's Theatre and Nashville Shakespeare Festival.
What You'll Learn
- Production design
- Acting
- Directing
- Scriptwriting
- Play analysis
Career Possibilities
The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Drama prepares students for work in a variety of entertainment fields as a working professional as well as education at the graduate level either in a Master of Arts or a Master of Fine Arts program.
As a double major, the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Drama can connect you to a variety of unique artistic career paths.
Belmont Bachelor or Arts in Theatre & Drama graduates have pursued theatre careers as professional actors, designers, directors and educators.
Graduates have also found success in careers including:
- Arts Management
- Arts Advocacy
- Theatre
- Marketing and Strategy Consulting
- Video Production
- Production Management
- Casting Coordination
- Law
Real World Theatre Experience
At Belmont, theatre students develop diverse skills through hands-on professional opportunities. A recent collaboration with Nashville Shakespeare Festival showcases how our students put their learning into practice:
- Leading costume and set design
- Managing production elements
- Solving creative challenges
- Building industry connections
"When you graduate Belmont, you really have a bunch of tools in your tool belt because you never know what might get you the job or get your foot in the door. It's practical, hands-on, real-life learning experience where you learn how to problem solve, work with other people, be on a team, collaborate."
- Keira Maupin, Theatre & Drama major
Program Details
Curriculum
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Drama majors complete 128-132 hours of coursework over the course of their undergraduate career. This includes immersive production labs that allow our majors to experience all facets of theatre.
- BELL Core Requirements: 53 Hours
- Theatre Core: 24 Hours
- Performance and Production Lab: 8 Hours
- Theatre Electives: 6 Hours
- Minor: 18 Hours
- General Electives: 19 Hours (minimum)
Learn more about the degree requirements.
Courses you'll take
TDR 1120, Fundamentals of Production Design
Designed to introduce students to the basic elements of technical production and design. Emphasis upon the areas of scenery, lighting, costume and make-up.
TDR 2080, Acting I
Introduces student actors to contemporary approaches to stage performance though the principles and techniques of Sanford Meisner. Emphasis on physical preparation, conceptual framework and actor’s vocabulary, characterization, role development and the actor’s development of his/her personal approach to the craft of acting. The course will culminate in the presentation of a monologue.
TDR 2250, Directing I
Introduction to the study and practice of directing plays. This course will focus upon the rehearsal process and the staging of scenes.
TDR 2400, Scriptwriting I
Introduction to the process of script development through writing exercises. The course will concentrate on the standard script form for theatrical and film production and will also include an introduction to important dramatic form and theory.
TDR 3510, Theatre and Drama History I
The study of theatre history and dramatic theory from Ancient Greece through Restoration drama.
TDR 3520, Theatre and Drama History II
A study of theatre history and dramatic theory from the eighteenth century through the present.
TDR 3550, Dramatic Literature and Criticism
The study of significant dramatic theory and literature from Ancient Greece through the present.
TDR 3560, Play Analysis
A study of the methods of analyzing dramatic scripts.
TDR 2310, Performance and Production Lab
Open to all students of the university and sponsored by the Belmont Little Theatre, this lab produces a season of shows open to the campus and Nashville community while serving as the performance-production studio for theatre majors and minors. Theatre majors must enroll in the lab 8 semesters. Minors must enroll a minimum of 3 semesters.
TDR 2320, Performance and Production Lab
Open to all students of the university and sponsored by the Belmont Little Theatre, this lab produces a season of shows open to the campus and Nashville community while serving as the performance-production studio for theatre majors and minors. Theatre majors must enroll in the lab 8 semesters. Minors must enroll a minimum of 3 semesters.
Explore the variety of opportunities our students have to engage with the theatre community below:
The Belmont University Department of Theatre and Dance Department is a fully-accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).
Applicants pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Drama are not required to audition.
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Contact Us
College of Music & Performing Arts
Alex Kissinger
Admissions Coordinator
(615) 460.8116
Email Alex