Degree Requirements in Theater & Performance Studies (TPST)

Major in Theater & Performance Studies

A major in Theater & Performance Studies consists of courses that combine critical and creative inquiry and is designed for students interested in not only developing skills in theater and performance but in an interdisciplinary exploration of how these art forms matter in the world. This distinctive degree program engages with theater and performance as it intersects with social justice, cultural politics, criticism, American and world cultures, arts management, education, and more. The TPST Program offers studio/seminar courses in acting, directing, playwriting, design, technical theatre, and stage management, as well as coursework and production opportunities that emphasize adaptation and performance; devising and developing new work; cross-cultural performance and world theatre history; performance and politics; community-based performance; arts management; ensemble techniques; musical and cabaret performance; interdisciplinary learning about culture, race, gender, and identity; and a variety of special topics that offer diverse opportunities for undergraduate research.  Requirements for the degree include a total of 31 credit hours as follows: 

Note: Effective Fall 2023, all main campus courses have been renumbered using a new 4-digit numbering system.

https://schedule.georgetown.edu/course-renumbering-crosswalk/t/#tpst

Academic Requirements for the Major
(31 credit hours; 11 courses including TPST-410)

  • At least 2 out of 3 Core Methods Courses: Play Analysis (TPST-130); Improvisation for Social Change (TPST-125); Adaptation and Performance of Literature (TPST-200)
  • At Least 1 of the following: Cross-Cultural Performance Studies (TPST-105) or World Theater History (TPST-240)
  • 3 Credit Hours of TPST 100 Production Practicum in 3 different sections (scene shop, costume, run crew, etc.)
  • At least 18 additional elective credit hours within TPST including:

    At least 3 credit hours of Technical Theater or Design Classes

    At least 6 credit hours of intermediate elective courses (201 or higher)

    At least 3 additional credit hours of advanced elective courses (301 or higher)
  • One-credit Majors Colloquium (TPST-410)

Note: There is a new course numbering system beginning in Fall 2023


Note about Credit and Enrollment for Participation in TPST Home Season: Students participating as cast members or in another sustained way throughout the rehearsal process (dramaturg, stage manager, designer, assistant director etc.) should enroll for the course assigned to that production. Each course (Performance Lab TPST 190-199) offers options for zero-three credits, which will be decided upon by Davis Center Artistic Director and faculty based upon audition; course numbers will rotate each semester.    No more than 6-credit hours of the Performance Lab TPST 190-199 sequence can be used toward fulfillment of the major.  After 6 credits have been achieved, advanced students working on productions may enroll for Advanced Performance Lab TPST 390-399 (for variable credits) for work on additional productions.  This cannot be used toward the additional 3-credit hours required for the major in TPST 300 or higher.

Academic Requirements for the Minor in Theater & Performance Studies (19 credit hours)

  • At least 1 out of 3 Core Methods Courses: Play Analysis (TPST-130), Improvisation for Social Change (TPST-125), Adaptation and Performance of Literature (TPST-200)
  • At Least 1 of the following: Cross-Cultural Performance Studies (TPST-105), World Theater History (TPST-240)
  • At least 1 Credit Hour of TPST 100 Production Practicum 
  • At least 12 additional elective credit hours within TPST including: 

    At least 6 credit hours of intermediate elective courses (201 or higher)

Notes: For the major, up to two courses may be fulfilled via transfer credits, study abroad, or cognate courses, if approved by the Program Director.  For the minor, up to one course may be fulfilled via transfer credits, study abroad, or cognate courses, if approved by the Program Director. 

Note about Credit and Enrollment for Participation in TPST Home Season: Students participating as cast members or in another sustained way throughout the rehearsal process (dramaturg, stage manager, designer, assistant director etc.) should enroll for the course assigned to that production. Each course (Performance Lab TPST 190-199) offers options for zero-three credits, which will be decided upon by Davis Center Artistic Director and faculty based upon audition; course numbers will rotate each semester.  No more than 3-credit hours of the Performance Lab TPST 190-199 sequence can be used toward fulfillment of the minor.  After 3 credits have been achieved, advanced students working on productions may enroll for Advanced Performance Lab TPST 390-399 (for variable credits) for work on additional productions. 

REVISED March, 2021