ABOUT UNDERGRADUATE

THE UNDERGRADUATE THEATRE MAJOR

 The UMKC Department of Theatre offers undergraduate students the opportunity to integrate classroom studies with production experience.  The Bachelor of Arts degree focuses on encouraging undergraduates to obtain a liberal understanding of the world while learning the basics of theatre in a professionally oriented setting.

Students in the undergraduate program explore theatre in varied ways.  By way of a rigorous curriculum, production experience, internships, an excellent faculty, and our connection to the Kansas City Rep, our students are equipped to pursue a life in the profession or to continue training at the graduate level.

The degree requirements for the B.A. in Theatre furnish our majors with a well-rounded education in all aspects of theatre.  While the program is broad in its scope it still allows a student to develop specific areas of interest such as acting or design.  The general degree requirements, combined with the core major requirements, provide a rigorous and well-rounded educational experience for our students.

Production experience as well as internship opportunities give undergraduate theatre majors the chance to apply classroom theory to practical situations. Taking part as a crew member or performer in one of the departmental productions or interning at a professional theatre are integral aspects of the undergraduate education.

The centerpiece of the UMKC Department of Theatre is the MFA professional training program.  The program is routinely recognized as one of the best in the nation.  Our undergraduates have the advantage of working closely with our graduate faculty and students.  This relationship encourages our students to have higher standards in their work while preparing them for the profession or graduate school. Undergraduates design and perform for graduate shows and have their own production season as well.                                                        

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
The main objective of the B.A. in Theatre is to give students a broad education.   The degree requirements for the B.A. in Theatre furnish our majors with a well-rounded education in all aspects of theatre.   While the program is broad in its scope it allows students the opportunity to develop specific areas of interest by choosing from one of three tracks. 

The GENERAL THEATRE TRACK is for students who want the flexibility to explore all areas of theatre.   They can choose from a wide variety of courses including stage management, design, performance and playwriting.

PERFORMANCE TRACK: Courses are geared toward students that want a professional career as an actor or want to prepare for placement in a top graduate program.   Students receive instruction in voice, movement, acting, Shakespeare and specialty areas such as stage combat or physical theatre.

DESIGN/TECHNICAL TRACK: Students, interested in areas of technical theatre and design, have the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to work in the professional theatre or attend a top graduate school. Within this track students might choose to emphasize a particular area of design. Students can focus their studies in scenic design, costume design, lighting design, sound design or stage management. 

Production experience as well as internship opportunities give undergraduate theatre majors the chance to apply classroom theory to practical situations.  Taking part as a crewmember, designer or performer in one of the departmental productions is an integral part of the theatre experience at UMKC.   In a typical year there are two undergraduate productions in addition to as many as seven department productions, providing plenty of opportunity.  The department also has relationships with many professional theatres.   Internships and job opportunities frequently occur from these relationships.

  The Kansas City Repertory Theatre

Founded in 1964, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre (The Rep—formerly the Missouri Repertory Theatre) is Kansas City’s premiere professional theatre company and one of the nation’s leading regional theaters.  Actors, directors and designers are drawn from across the nation and around the world.  The Rep and the department are tied together in a unique integral structure.  The existence of a professional theatre on this campus enhances undergraduate education in significant ways.

Theatre Department Information

The Department is housed in three buildings.  The Performing Arts Center (PAC) is located on the north end of campus (4949 Cherry) and includes three performance spaces, The Rep’s offices, a scene shop, a costume shop, rehearsal studios and classrooms.  Grant Hall is located on the south end of campus and houses a theatre, costume shop, scene shop, faculty offices and classrooms.

The offices of administration are located on the first floor of 5317/5319 Holmes.

The Director of Undergraduate Studies in Theatre is Dr. Gary Holcombe.  His office is located in Grant Hall 103.   If you have questions regarding the BA in Theatre, please contact him. 816-235-2544, holcombeg@umck.edu.

You may also direct questions to our Student Affairs Representative, Cynthia Stofiel at (816) 235-6683, 120 PAC or to Master of Arts candidate and undergraduate advising GTA, Andy Pierce at 5319 Holmes, Third Floor South.

Scheduling a UMKC Campus Visit

To schedule a campus visit please contact the UMKC Welcome Center at (816) 235-8652. You can also speak with one of the Department Advisors (listed on this page) to shadow an undergraduate in classes and rehearsal and attend a production if one is playing.

Advisement and Registration

Undergraduate Theatre majors should be advised EVERY SEMESTER.  All freshmen (students with fewer than 30 acceptable credits) must have an advisor’s signature before entering the registration Center (or have an electronic release before using on-line registration).  Transfer students should make appointments with the Arts & Sciences Advising office (235-1148) and the Undergraduate Director for the Department of Theatre (Dr. Gary Holcombe, 816-235-2544, holcombeg@umkc.edu) before the start of their first semester at UMKC.

Gary Holcombe
Undergraduate Director
(Fall/Spring: mentoring, coaching, SO/SR advising, Graduation Audits, Transfer Credits)
Office: Grant Hall 103
Office Phone: 816-235-2544
Email: holcombeg@umkc.edu
Gary Holcombe’s office hours are sporadic due to classes and rehearsals. Call for an appointment at anytime during the semester, as needed

Cindy Stofiel  
Student Affairs Representative/Summer Advisor
(Summer: Advising, Graduation Audits and Transfer Credits; Backup Semester Registration)
Office: PAC 120
Office Phone: 816-235-6683
Email: stofielc@umkc.edu
While best to schedule an appointment ahead of time, Cindy Stofiel’s open door hours are M 10-12:30 and 1:30-2:30; TW 12-4; RF 8-12.

TBA
Undergraduate Advising Assistant 2007-2008
(FR & JR Semester Registration Advising, Thea 100)
Office: Grant Hall 103 (with Gary Holcombe)
Office hours   
Phone:  
Email:   

 

Getting Advised

Please make appointments to see advisors ahead of time or contact them during their office hours.

To prepare for registration for an upcoming semester the procedure is as follows:

Advising for Fall Semester
Usually begins during the first week of April
Sign up with the adviser assigned to your class level
Fill out a Pre-advising form.
Print out a copy of your student record and bring it with you to the session.
Show up to your advising session at least 5 minutes early.

Advising for Winter Semester
Usually begins during the first week of November
Sign up with the adviser assigned to your class level
Fill out a Pre-advising form.
Print out a copy of your student record and bring it with you to the session.
Show up to your advising session at least 5 minutes early.                                        

Advising for Summer Session
Usually begins during the first week of April
Get advised for both Fall and Summer
Sign up with the adviser assigned to your class level
Fill out a Pre-advising form.
Print out a copy of your student record and bring it with you to the session.
Show up to your advising session at least 5 minutes early.

Advising Over the Summer

If you need to get advised over the summer, please call Cindy Stofiel (816) 235- 6683 and schedule an appointment. Her office is on the first floor of the PAC, room 120.

Transfer Students

If you are transferring to UMKC as a theatre major please make an appointment with the Arts and Sciences advising office (816-235-1148) to check your status regarding general education requirements.  Then, make an appointment to see the Undergraduate Director (Dr. Gary Holcombe, 816-235-2544, holcombeg@umkc.edu).  Please bring the General Education Worksheet you received from the Arts and Sciences Advising Office located on the lower level of Scofield Hall.  Transfer credits for the major are determined by the department.  If you are transferring in over the summer, please see the Undergraduate Director before the start of the semester to make sure you are enrolled in the right classes.

The B.A.  degree in theatre requires a total of 49 hours in addition to the general requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences (visit the UMKC website for the A&S General Degree Requirements - www@umkc.edu).

Required Courses***
THEAT113 Intro. to Tech Theatre
THEAT 210 Intro to Design for the Theatre
THEAT 350 Theatre History I                                                                           
THEAT 351 Theatre History II (*Writing Intensive)                    
THEAT 378 Stage Management                                                       
THEAT 415 Beginning Directing (Capstone)                                 
THEAT 180 Theatre Production                                                       
THEAT 380 Theatre Production                                                       
THEAT 400 or 497*Theatre Outreach  / Internship

Students are advised not to take a combination of these classes in a semester due to laboratory/technical hours required:
            THEAT 113; THEAT 180 or 380; THEAT 378

Non-departmental requirements:
6 credits total in music and art (3 hours each)

Emphasis Requirements -20 hours
Undergraduates can choose the General theatre track, Performance track or Design/Tech track. 

Minimum Grade Requirements
Students must get a grade of C or above in required courses in the major.

Internships

Internships are available for undergraduate theatre majors with approval of the department.  Past students have gained valuable experience working with casting directors, professional theatre companies and talent agents.  Interested students can make an appointment with the Undergraduate Director.  

Recent Internships:
Wright/Laird Casting
Unicorn Theatre
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival
Coterie Theatre

 

Independent Study

Students may enroll in Independent Study courses as Undergraduate Theatre Majors. With departmental approval majors can enroll in Theatre 400: Special Problems in Theatre.  This class allows the student to work independently in areas such as acting, lighting and costumes.  For more information see your advisor.

 Theatre Minor

The UMKC department of Theatre offers a minor in Theatre.  A minor consists of 18 credits.  Theatre 130 Foundations of Fine Arts Theatre is the only required course in the Theatre Minor.  Please contact Gary Holcombe (816-235-2544, Holcombeg@umkc.edu) or Cindy Stofiel (816-235-6683) for more information.

Graduation Procedure

Two semesters before anticipated graduation (or at 90 Hours), students should file an application for bachelor’s degree in the Advising Office, Room 16, Scofield Hall.

When the application is processed, a degree requirement and program plan is prepared and the student is notified, by mail, to go to 16 Scofield Hall to review it with an advisor.

The student then takes the plan to the major department (Gary Holcombe GH 103, holcombeg@umkc.edu, 816-235-2544) for an audit of work thus completed in the major.  Once all parties have signed the plan (advisor at 16 Scofield, student, and theatre major advisor), the plan is filed with Records, in the students Arts and Science Advising Office file, and with the department. Student Affairs Representative, Cindy Stofiel, is the alternate for Theatre degree audits during the summer when Gary Holcombe is off campus.

UTA (University Theatre Association)

The University Theatre Association (UTA) is a great way for students to meet others who have an interest in theatre. During weekly meetings students gather to discuss and plan UTA projects.  Students are allowed to explore areas such as directing, acting, playwriting and technical theatre.  UTA may produce one-act plays that are chosen by the student members. UTA also offers select students the opportunity to attend the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF). Officers are elected once each year.  For more information call 816-235-2858.

Rehearsal and Performance

The rehearsal period for one academic production will not exceed six weeks.   

Actors and crew are expected to be prompt to all calls; appear at the theatre when they are called; pay strict regard to makeup and dress; perform services as reasonably directed and sustained by the stage manager; care for costumes, props and rehearsal spaces; and abide by all rules and regulations of UMKC.  Repeated lateness or other infractions of the rules will lead to disciplinary proceedings.

Rehearsals for academic productions are demanding and will require a significant amount of your time and energy.  Students are encouraged to manage their time well throughout the rehearsal process. Students should not register for any more than one class requiring laboratory/technical hours.

Performance Opportunities

Undergraduates perform regularly in all Theatre Department productions.   Typically, the season consists of nine productions, two of which are undergraduate productions.    There are numerous directing projects and undergraduate showcases as well.    Undergraduates are also involved with the American College Theatre Festival.   Our undergraduate students attend the regional festival and take part in scholarship competitions through KCACTF. 

Recent Productions
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
AS YOU LIKE IT
MAD FOREST
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
GRAPES OF WRATH
HAMLET
MACBETH
TAKING SIDES
MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR at Union Station
CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY
HENRY V
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
THE CIRCUS SHOW

Undergraduate Shows:
TRUST
TALKING WITH
SUBURBIA
THE HOUSE OF YES
RECKLESS
OUR TOWN
TROJAN WOMEN

Auditions

Auditions are open to all UMKC students.  Fall semester auditions are held in April and during the week prior to the beginning of fall semester or a weekend early in the semester.  Auditions for winter semester productions are held at the end of fall semester.  The season is posted outside the production office (PAC 115).  The sign-up sheet will be posted outside PAC 115 one week prior to the auditions.  In general, students will be asked to prepare a short monologue for the initial audition and should be prepared to read from the script at callbacks.  Scripts for the academic season can be checked out from the Production Office (PAC 115, 816-235-2782).