Why Major in Theatre Directing?
Are you an aspiring director? Belmont's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with an Emphasis in Directing gives you intensive professional training and knowledge of the industry that allows you to creatively thrive both on and off stage.
The Directing emphasis is designed for students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in the field of theatrical direction and the subsequent professional employment as a theatrical director.
With a wide variety of directing opportunities, both at Belmont and in the Nashville area, and a practicum-based curriculum, you will be challenged to grow in your craft through hands-on experiences.
What You'll Learn
- Graduate with different practical experiences including: Ten-minute scene, One-Act, Short Play and Staged Reading
- Stage management
- Assistant directing
- Dramaturgy
- Collaborative conceptualization with design
Career Possibilities
The BFA in Theatre with Directing emphasis is a foundational degree giving the student the necessary tools and techniques required for pursuing graduate study and the subsequent professional employment as a theatrical director. Students are prepared for professional employment in a broad range of entertainment related careers. Students may also further their education in an arts related graduate program.
Examples of institutions our graduates are employed in:
- Producing Director at Fusebox Festival
- Co-Founder and Director with Woven Theatre
- Associate Artist at The Nashville Shakespeare Festival
- Professional Producer/Director
- Associate with WSA Entertainment
- And additional other arts institutions across the United States
Program Details
Curriculum
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in Directing majors complete 128 hours of coursework over the course of their undergraduate career. This includes 50 hours of directing requirements that gives our students the necessary training for industry success.
- BELL Core Requirements: 38 Hours (minimum)
- Theatre Core: 24 Hours
- Directing Requirements: 50 Hours
- Theatre Electives: 6 Hours
- General Electives: 10 Hours (minimum)
Courses You'll Take
TDR 2100, Stage Voice and Diction I
A performance-based course that focuses on the examination of the individual voice, centering on its physical properties, resonance, tone, flexibility, range and articulation of language through a series of dramatic selections for transmitting meaning and emotion of character. Emphasis is placed on developing the body, breath and support, the free and placed voice along with the articulatory skills required for speaking Standard American English.
TDR 2200, Stage Movement I
A performance-based course that provides an examination on the developmental and practice of movement for the actor. The work will center on physical awareness and exercises designed to provide the student with means to develop a sustained physical process, which supports and enhances acting impulse and character development. The course will culminate in the presentation of the group movement project.
DAN 2410, Theatre Dance Styles
An introduction to dance styles from the Renaissance to the present day including dances of the folk, court, social and theatrical traditions, with focus on their adaptation to performance and theatre. This is a dance class, but does not count toward the dance minor.
TDR 3250, Directing II
Intensive study in the process of stage directing and culminates in student-directed one-act plays to be viewed by an audience.
TDR 3260, Advanced Methods in Directing
Intensive study of the historical development of directing theory and methodology since Saxe-Meiningen. Course includes extensive research-based projects designed to give student’s practical experience in work settings.
TDR 3400, Scriptwriting II
The study of formal scriptwriting for both stage and screen. Extensive focus on long-form scripts including one-acts, full-length play scripts and extended screenplays.
TDR 3080, Acting II
Devoted to the study and application of specific contemporary acting systems, including those developed by Stanislavski, Meisner, Adler and Hagen. Emphasis is placed on intensive individual and group scene work.
TDR 4080, Acting III
Intensive scene study and character analysis with the goal of honing the actor’s personal technique. Class will culminate in a final presentation of scenes or one-acts.
TDR 4180, Acting IV
An examination of classical drama and the practical approaches to acting classical dramatic literature. The course will involve extensive textual analysis, performance and the study of the history of classical theatre. This class will involve exercises and extensive monologue and/or scene work from classical playwrights. The class will culminate in a final presentation of scenes.
TDR 4430, Stage Management
Concentrated training in the functions and the role of the Stage Manager in the production process.
Click on the links below to explore the variety of opportunities our students have to engage with the theatre community.
The Belmont University Department of Theatre and Dance is a fully-accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).
The B.F.A. programs in the Department of Theatre require an audition or portfolio submission. The audition or portfolio submission determines admission into the Department of Theatre and Dance, which is separate from the University's admission decision.
After submitting the Application for Undergraduate Admission, applicants to the Department of Theatre and Dance will receive an email prompting them to complete the Undergraduate Department of Theatre and Dance Audition Registration Form in their BU4U account. They will choose their intended in-person audition date or the video audition option.
The Department of Theatre and Dance does not prescreen for any of its programs.
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College of Music & Performing Arts
Alex Kissinger
Admissions Coordinator
(615) 460.8116
Email Alex