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Theater, B.A.

School of Humanities, Religion and Social Sciences

Explore Theater, B.A.

What's possible when you take the stage for the performance of your life?
Anything.

Theater is about collaboration. Performance can transport an audience to another time and place, helping us to more deeply understand our human experience.

As a theater major at Fresno Pacific University, you’ll tailor your studies around your interests – whether that's acting, directing, design, technical theater, administration, ministry, education, or theater as a tool for social transformation.

Courses range from ancient theater history to costume design to auditioning techniques.

Through the study of theatre, you’ll learn to appreciate the profound drama of life.

Program Highlights

  • Performances include two mainstages, a Spring Showcase, musicals in alternate years and a Staged Reading Series
  • Religious Drama Team performs on-campus and in churches
  • Scholarships are available for working on productions as actors, technicians, stage managers
  • Flexibility allows you to double-major or add a minor

Emphases*

Applied Theater

Applied Theater will equip you to use your theater skills in the community, including after-school programs, community and neighborhood organizations, church or camp/conference centers. You’ll learn to develop original theater based on the assets and interests of people in the community. This emphasis pairs well with a major or minor in Social Work, Sociology, Contemporary Christian Ministries, Communication, Criminal Justice, or Liberal Studies.

Theater Studies

Theater Studies is a traditional theater program. You’ll choose electives based on a generalist approach or shape your program towards a specific career trajectory such as acting, directing, technical theater and design, arts administration, or film/video production.

* The Theater, B.A. requires that students choose an emphasis.

Emphases Catalog*

Applied Theater

Overview

The Theater major offers courses in performance, theater history and literature, technical theater and design, arts management, and applied theater. Emphases in Theater Studies or Applied Theater allow students to tailor their programs to careers or graduate work in theater or film, or to use theater for social development and transformation in theatrical and non-theatrical contexts—educational, church, and civic. The Theater major, Applied Theater emphasis pairs well as a double-major with Psychology, Social work, and Contemporary Christian Ministries.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will interpret and critique performance and theoretical texts reflecting a range of styles, periods, cultural, and critical perspectives.
  2. Students will describe the history and development of theatre globally, including the social, political, and religious contexts of performance texts, genre, and conventions.
  3. Students will apply skills in performance and theatre craft.
  4. Students will speak, write, and perform effectively in individual, group, and collaborative settings.
  5. Students will articulate the ethical, moral, relational, and personal aspects of theatre and performance.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

Total Units: 43-48

Lower Division Major Prerequisite

  • THTR 105 - Theater Appreciation Credits 3

Required Courses

  • THTR 350 - Acting Credits 3
  • THTR 360 - Directing and Staging Texts Credits 3
  • LIT 380 - World Theater: Roots to 1800 Credits 3
  • LIT 385 - World Theater: 1800 to Present Credits 3

Select 8 units of the following:

  • THTR 115 - Drama Practicum: The Company Credits 2
  • THTR 315 - Drama Practicum: The Company Credits 2 or
  • THTR 120 - Drama Ministry Team Credits 2
  • THTR 320 - Drama Ministry Team Credits 2

Select one of the following:

  • THTR 470 - Senior Thesis Performance Credits 2 or
  • THTR 496 - Drama Internship Credits 1 - 3

Emphasis

  • THTR 321 - Applied Theater Credits 3
  • THTR 335 - Drama Ministry Credits 3
  • THTR 355 - Creative Drama Credits 3

Choose four of the following

  • COM 420 - Conflict Management and Resolution Credits 3
  • COM 430 - Group Dynamics and Leadership Credits 3
  • SOC 372 - Juvenile Delinquency and Justice Credits 3
  • SOC 410 - American Ethnicity and Pluralism Credits 3
  • PSY 420 - Childhood Disabilities and Psychopathology Credits 4
  • MIN 358 - Creative Communication in Ministry Credits 2
  • MIN 378 - Worship Ministries Concepts Credits 2
  • MIN 382 - Introduction to Children’s Ministries Credits 3
  • MIN 383 - Introduction to Youth Ministries Credits 3
Theater Studies

Overview

The Theater major offers courses in performance, theater history and literature, technical theater and design, arts management, and applied theater. Emphases in Theater Studies or Applied Theater allow students to tailor their programs to careers or graduate work in theater or film or to use theater for social development and transformation in theatrical and non-theatrical contexts—educational, church, and civic. The Theater major, Applied Theater emphasis pairs well with majors or minors such as Psychology, Social Work, Business, and Contemporary Christian Ministries.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will interpret and critique performance and theoretical texts reflecting a range of styles, periods, cultural, and critical perspectives.
  2. Students will describe the history and development of theatre globally, including the social, political, and religious contexts of performance texts, genre, and conventions.
  3. Students will apply skills in performance and theatre craft.
  4. Students will speak, write, and perform effectively in individual, group, and collaborative settings.
  5. Students will articulate the ethical, moral, relational, and personal aspects of theatre and performance.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

Total Units: 46-48

Lower Division Major Prerequisite

  • THTR 105 - Theater Appreciation Credits 3

Required Courses

  • THTR 350 - Acting Credits 3
  • THTR 360 - Directing and Staging Texts Credits 3
  • LIT 380 - World Theater: Roots to 1800 Credits 3
  • LIT 385 - World Theater: 1800 to Present Credits 3

Select 8 units of the following:

  • THTR 115 - Drama Practicum: The Company Credits 2
  • THTR 315 - Drama Practicum: The Company Credits 2
  • THTR 120 - Drama Ministry Team Credits 2
  • THTR 320 - Drama Ministry Team Credits 2

Select one of the following:

  • THTR 470 - Senior Thesis Performance Credits 2
  • THTR 496 - Drama Internship Credits 1 - 3

Emphasis

In consultation with a program mentor, select 22 units from the following (7 units must be THTR):

  • THTR 321 - Applied Theater Credits 3
  • THTR 330 - Dance Styles Credits 3
  • THTR 335 - Drama Ministry Credits 3
  • THTR 340 - Musical Theater Credits 3
  • THTR 353 - Period Styles for Actors Credits 3
  • THTR 355 - Creative Drama Credits 3
  • THTR 365 - Stage Technology Credits 3
  • THTR 370 - Auditioning Credits 1
  • THTR 375 - Costume Design and Production Credits 3
  • THTR 380 - Stage Make-Up Credits 1
  • HIST 360 - Greece: Drama and Paideia in the Polis Credits 4
  • LIT 415 - Shakespeare Credits 3
  • LIT 449 - Literature and Film Credits 3
  • COM 346 - Scriptwriting Credits 3
  • COM 355 - Digital Video Production I Credits 3
  • COM 360 - Digital Video Production II Credits 3
  • COM 370 - Audio Production Credits 3
  • COM 380 - Film Studies Credits 3
  • COM 390 - UI/UX Web Design Credits 3
  • COM 395 - Text and Performance Credits 3
  • COM 440 - Performance and Culture Credits 3
  • ART 140 - Drawing I Credits 3
  • ART 350 - History of Western Art I Credits 3 or
  • ART 355 - History of Western Art II Credits 3 or
  • ART 460 - World Art Credits 3
  • ART 475 - Career Development Credits 3
  • MGT 362 - Nonprofit Management Credits 3
  • MUS 130 - Class Voice Credits 1 - 2 or
  • MUS 141 - Private Instruction in Voice Credits 1 - 2
* The Theater, B.A. requires that students choose an emphasis.

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in)
    * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
  • Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
  • Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Recommended High School Courses for Admission
  • 4 years of college preparatory English
  • 3 years of college preparatory mathematics
  • 2 years of social studies
  • 1 year of laboratory science
  • 1 year of performing art
  • 3 years of the same foreign language with a C- or better
Things to Keep in Mind

Fresno Pacific University’s accepted students have average GPAs of 3.2-3.6. Please speak with an admission counselor to discuss your eligibility.

All application materials should be submitted online or mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admission
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Ave. #2005
Fresno, CA 93702
ugadmis@fresno.edu

Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information*

Applied Theater

Theatre Arts (AA-T) to Theater: Applied Theater, B.A.

BA courses fulfilled through ADT:

  • All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
  • BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
    • THTR 105   Theater Appreciation (3)
    • THTR 115    Drama Practicum (2)
    • THTR 380    Stage Makeup (1) [Lower to Upper Division]
    • THTR 375    Costume Design (3) [Lower to Upper Division]
  • This program is offered as daytime traditional

ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.

Theater Studies

Theatre Arts (AA-T) to Theater: Theater Studies, B.A.

BA courses fulfilled through ADT:

  • All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
  • BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
    • THTR 105   Theater Appreciation (3)
    • THTR 115    Drama Practicum (2)
    • THTR 380    Stage Makeup (1) [Lower to Upper Division]
    • THTR 375    Costume Design (3) [Lower to Upper Division]
  • This program is offered as daytime traditional

ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.

* The Theater, B.A. requires that students choose an emphasis.

Non-traditional Admission

Steps for Re-application

For those students who have applied to FPU’s traditional undergraduate program within the past 2 years and did not attend. Students who applied more than 2 years ago will need to resubmit a full application for admission:

  1. Fill out the re-application form
  2. Submit any missing documents or updated transcripts
Steps for Re-admission

Former FPU students who have not been enrolled in and/or have not submitted a leave of absence form for the previous semester are required to re-apply for admission to FPU:

  1. Fill out the re-admission form
  2. Submit official transcripts from other educational institutions attended during absence from FPU
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission

Students interested in taking classes, usually for personal or professional development, or to transfer to another institution, and is not interested in a degree from FPU. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal, state or institutional aid. Other requirements, class limits and pre-requisites may apply. See the academic catalog for more information:

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating Non Matriculating/Non-Degree status non-matriculation application
  2. Submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent
  3. Some classes may require a pre-requisite course. If required, a college transcript will need to be provided
  4. Personal essays are not required
Auditing a class

Students wishing to audit a class at FPU may apply for audit status. Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and students will not receive course credit.

  1. Fill out the Application for Admission indicating audit status
  2. Personal essays are not required

Four-Year Graduation Guarantee

Four-year graduation guarantee graphic

Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.

Incoming requirements

This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements of 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major with no minor.

  • Where options between courses are available, students are not guaranteed their first choice.
  • This guarantee does not apply to “fifth-year” programs (teacher education credential requirements) or minimum units beyond graduation requirements (CPA qualifications, etc.) beyond the basic four-year bachelor’s degree.
  • The guarantee does not apply to transfer students or to FPU's degree completion programs.
  • Students not able to register for the courses needed within four years must complete the free course(s) within two terms of the end of four years (e.g. a summer and fall for those completing four years in the spring; or spring and summer for those completing four years in the fall).
  • The four-year period may be extended for students required to leave the university for up to one year (see the Leave of Absence section) for medical, military or personal reasons.
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Meet with your mentor during the fall semester of the freshman year.
  • Finalize a major and begin prerequisite or lower-division major courses by the second semester of the freshman year and keep that major until graduation.
  • Complete at least 32 units per year (average 16 per semester) with passing grades in each course.
  • Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and remain in good standing behaviorally with the university.
  • Meet with the mentor each semester for advising before registration opens and take the courses approved by the adviser/mentor that complete general-education and major requirements, in the appropriate sequence and as they become available.
  • Register within the first week of registration every semester to gain a spot in the classes needed.
  • Notify mentor if unable to register for an approved course so that an alternative plan can be made.
  • Apply for financial aid and submit required documents by appropriate deadlines.
  • Keep student account up-to-date. (Accounts not up-to-date may be placed on hold, preventing registration for courses.)
  • Complete required courses successfully (see Academic Policies section for minimum acceptable grades) without dropping required or approved courses during a semester.

Two-Year Transfer Guarantee for ADT Pathways

FPU guarantees a student with an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) from the California Community College system, can complete their degree in just two years. If a student meets the qualification requirements, fulfills the responsibilities under the program, and are unable to complete their major in a 2-year period, FPU will assume all additional tuition costs needed to complete their undergraduate degree at FPU.

Incoming requirements
  • 60 transferable units [grades of C- or better] from the California Community College system with a completed ADT (Associate Degree for Transfer)
  • Selected an ADT matched (similar) pathway from FPU’s undergraduate degree programs
  • Have completed the necessary pre-requisites in the discipline specific to intended major
  • Have at least a 2.4 transfer GPA
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Enroll in an average of 15- 18 units per semester; not including repeated courses.
  • Remain in good academic standing by maintaining an institutional grade point average of 2.0 or higher
  • Enroll in the required number of consecutive semesters: 3-4 semesters depending on number of units transferred in
  • Make up units for any failed or withdrawn courses during the guarantee period, which may require you to take more than 15-18 units per semester
    • For TUG you may have to enroll in a summer semester.
  • Fulfill all graduation requirements, including core curriculum, major requirements, and upper division course work requirements.
    • Two Year Guarantee: complete enough upper division courses to have at least 40 upper division units by the end of the 4-semester time frame.
  • Take all required courses during the semester recommended by your Academic Advisor.
  • Register for all upcoming courses during the registration period.
  • Any courses from a Community College with “D+” or lower are non-transferable and require additional courses and semesters to graduate.
  • This guarantee may not apply to students starting in a spring or summer semester start (TUG only).
  • This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements: 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major.

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

2023-2024
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $34,960
Student body fee $598
Total Tuition and Fees $35,548
Room $5,018
Board $5,130
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $45,696
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,248
Summer Session $500
Private Music Instruction $400
2022-2023
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $33,614
Student body fee $574
Total Tuition and Fees $34,188
Room and Board $8,884
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $43,072
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,218
Summer Session $400
Private Music Instruction $400
2021-2022
Total Cost Item Amount
12-18 units (full time) per year $32,954
Student body fee $498
Total Tuition and Fees $33,452
Room and Board $8,710
Total Tuition, Fees & Board $42,162
Per-Unit Costs Amount
Per unit / Overload $1,177
Summer Session $300
Private Music Instruction $400

Room & Board Rates

Freshman / Sophmore Housing
Module* Fall Spring
Modules $4,313 $4,313
Jost Modules $4,619 $4,619 

* Full Access Meal Plan Included in Cost (Full Access Required)

Junior / Senior Housing
Suites & Houses Fall Spring
Room only $2,068 $2,068
Room-70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) $2,719 $2,719
Room - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) $3,276 $3,276
Room - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost) $4,400 $4,400
Jost Hall (4 person), Willow Gardens (4 person) & Kriegbaum Apartments (3 person) Fall Spring
Apartment - Room only $2,694 $2,694
Apartment - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) $3,345 $3,345
Apartment - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) $3,902 $3,902
Apartment - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost) $5,026 $5,026
Willow Gardens & Jost Hall  Apartments: 3 Person Fall Spring
Apartments - Room only $3,306 $3,306
Apartments - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) $3,958 $3,958
Apartments - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) $4,514 $4,514
Apartments - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost) $5,639 $5,639
Stand-Alone Meal Plans Fall Spring
70 Block $651 $651
140 Block $1,208 $1,208
Full Access Meal Plan $2,332 $2,332

* Residents living in the Houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.

Notes about housing
  • For housing placement purposes only, class standing for the fall semester will carry throughout the entire year (both fall and spring semesters).
  • Residents living in the houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
  • Meal plan contract dates will follow the traditional semester.

If you have questions that pertain specifically to housing or what housing you qualify for, please contact Residence Life at (559) 453-5696. Or visit our website at studentlife.fresno.edu/living-campus.

Financial Aid

Freshman Scholarships

Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.

Name GPA Amount
Paragon   Full Tuition
President's 4.00 GPA and above $18,000
Dean's 3.75-3.99 GPA $15,000
Heritage 3.50-3.75 GPA $14,000
Faculty 3.25-3.49 GPA $12,000
Founder's Below a 3.0 GPA $8,000

Transfer Scholarships 

To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.

Name GPA Amount
Transfer Scholar 3.50 GPA and above $14,000
Transfer Achievement 3.0-3.49 GPA $10,000
Transfer Academic 2.40-2.99 GPA $7,500
Transfer Partnership Below a 2.4 GPA $6,000

Performance-based Scholarships

Name Amount
Athletic $500 to Full Tuition
Music $400 to $10,000
Theatre Arts $500 to $4,000
Art/Design $500 to $4,000

Other FPU Grants and Scholarships

Name Amount
FPU Possibilities Scholarship Full Tuition
Church Match $500 to $1,500
International Scholarship up to $6,000
Mennonite Brethren Award $4,000
Out of State Student Scholarship $4,000
Other Awards $100 to $10,000

Federal and State Grants

Name Amount
Cal Grant A $9,358
Cal Grant B $1,648
Pell Grants $750 to $7,395
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant $1,000

Federal Loans and Work Study

Name Amount
Federal Direct $3,500 to $7,500
PLUS Loan Up to remaining cost
Workstudy Contingent on employment

Private Scholarships

Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.

View Private Scholarships

Photo of Alexandra Green

Alexandra Green

Mathematics

The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.

Net Price Calculator

Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.

Calculate for First-Time FreshmanCalculate for Transfer

Career Opportunities

With this degree, you’ll gain the foundation for a broad range of careers in theater and beyond. You’ll also be well-prepared for graduate studies, including theater and teacher credential programs.

Career Possibilities

  • Arts educator
  • Performer
  • Director
  • Arts/worship minister
  • Artistic/managing director
  • Makeup artist
  • Theater technician
  • Stage manager
  • Choreographer
  • Playwright

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center