Many students are drawn to Northwestern because of their interest in Theatre because of Northwestern’s international reputation for excellence in Acting. Though not all of these students choose to major in Theatre, many take courses and involve themselves in the life of the department. The Minor in Theatre facilitate formal recognition for those students enrolled in Theatre classes already open to non-majors, reduce the prevailing perception that only majors can study Theatre at Northwestern, and establish an overt open-door policy to students at large, resulting in the mutual enrichment of our diverse populations.
The sequence of courses in Acting (243-1,2,3; 341-1,2,3; 349-1,2,3) is open to Theatre majors only. Declaring a Theatre Minor will not provide access to these courses, and these courses will not count towards the minor.
Eligibility
All students are eligible for this minor, with the understanding that no student may major and minor in the same subject. University policy allows students to declare only one minor. Students may apply as early as the spring quarter of their freshman year for admission to the minor, but students can also declare the minor during any spring quarter.
The sequence of courses in Acting (243-1,2,3; 341-1,2,3; 349-1,2,3) is open to Theatre majors only. Declaring a Theatre Minor will not provide access to these courses, and these courses will not count towards the minor.
Eligibility
All students are eligible for this minor, with the understanding that no student may major and minor in the same subject. University policy allows students to declare only one minor. Students may apply as early as the spring quarter of their freshman year for admission to the minor, but students can also declare the minor during any spring quarter.
Declaring the minor
- Pick up a Declaration of Minor form in the Theatre department office. Return the completed form to that office and make an advising appointment with a Theatre adviser.
- At your advising session, the adviser will sign and file your Declaration and review with you the courses needed for the minor.
- The adviser will guide you as you progress toward the minor and will authorize your Minor Application when you have completed the coursework. Faculty mentors will be available as needed.
Contact Lynn Kelso or Kyla Brundage for an advising appointment by calling 847-491-7214.
Required Courses
For a minor in the Department of Theatre, students must take at least 7 courses in the department.
• A total of 7 approved courses is required from the following three areas:
• 2 classes in the area of History, Literature, Criticism and Theory;
• 1 class in the area of Performance;
• 1 class in area of Design;
• 1 elective reflecting special interests of the student.
Students form a concentration in one of these three areas by taking 2 additional classes in that area. This concentration is required for the minor.
Other Requirements
Of these seven units, at least three must be taken at the 300 level or above. Five of these courses must be offered by the Theatre department, and two of the seven may be approved courses that come from departments or programs outside of Theatre (e.g. Performance Studies, Gender Studies, Comparative Literature, etc.). No course for the minor may be taken utilizing the P/N option, and all classes must be completed at a grade of C- or better in order to be counted toward the minor.
Courses
• Courses from History/Literature/Criticism/ and Theory:
All courses from this area are open to students pursuing the minor. In addition, students may take courses from WCAS that have been predetermined to fulfill requirements in Theatre (e.g. Slavic Theatre Traditions from Comparative Literature or Shakespeare from the Department of English).
• Courses from the Area of Performance, including but not limited to:
Theatre 143 Acting for Non-Majors (two sections offered every quarter)
Theatre 312-1,2 Storytelling
Theatre 253-1,2 Mime
Theatre 260 Fundamentals of Stage Directing
Theatre 346-1,2,3 Playwriting
Theatre 347 Children’s Theatre
Theatre 348-1,2 Creative Drama
The sequence of courses in Acting (243-1,2,3; 341-1,2,3; 349-1,2,3) is open to Theatre majors only due to the space limitations of these courses. Declaring a Theatre Minor will not provide access to these courses, and these courses will not count towards the minor.
• Courses from the area of Design:
Theatre minors are required to take Theatre 141 Intro to Design before enrolling in any 200-level design course. Theatre 141 offers a solid introduction to the various fields of design--sets, lighting, costumes--for non-majors.
