About the Program
Theater Department
Donald Savage Theater Building 215
(716) 878-6416
https://theater.buffalostate.edu/
The B.A. in Stage and Screen Arts prepares students for creative and technical careers in performance, production, and design across stage, film, television, and digital media. Emphasizing hands-on experiences, historical context, and artistic innovation, the program fosters collaborative skills, critical thinking, and professional readiness in a dynamic curriculum that merges classical techniques with emerging technologies.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Stage and Screen Arts program is contingent upon a successful interview. Any matriculated student in good academic standing may interview for admission into this program.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. apply current technologies and media tools to create, produce, and present works for stage and screen, demonstrating proficiency in at least one area of practice.
2. create collaboratively with clarity, accountability, and professionalism across varied team settings.
3. interpret dramatic texts, performances, media, and design artifacts through historical, social, and cultural lenses.
4. demonstrate understanding of the historical and cultural development of theater and media, integrating diverse perspectives and demonstrating respect for global artistic practices.
5. evaluate personal artistic development in the context of industry standards and current cultural conversations.
Program Requirements
General Education 33 Requirements
33 credit hours 33
Stage and Screen Arts Major Requirements (36 credit hours)
Required Courses (12 credit hours)
THA 106 Introduction to Theater (3)
THA 226 Acting Fundamentals for Stage and Screen (3)
THA 231 Applied Production 1 (1)
THA 331 Applied Production 2 (1)
THA 350 Directing for Stage and Screen (3)
THA 416 Working Artist Seminar (1)
History/Literature Electives (6)
Select two courses
DAN 224 Dance Appreciation
DAN 234 Politics of Black Dance
ENG 170 Intro to Creative Writing
ENG 205 History of Cinema 1
ENG 206 History of Cinema 2
ENG 245 Writing About the Arts
ENG 305 Creative Writing: Narrative
ENG 315 Shakespeare
ENG 340 Playwriting
THA 332 Period Styles and Culture
THA 421 Drama from Af. Am. Persp.
Electives by Advisement (18 credit hours)
At least 3 upper division.
Any DAN course not fulfilling a requirement above, including but not limited to:
DAN 189 Topics Course
DAN 200 Modern Technique 1
DAN 214 Intro Dance Techniques
DAN 230 Dance Technique AA Persp.
DAN 244 Cultural Dance Forms
DAN 250 Jazz
DAN 295 Special Project
DAN 302 Modern 2
DAN 303 Dance Comp
DAN 310 Dance for Musical Theater
DAN 312 Modern 3
DAN 495 Special Project in Dance
DAN 499 Ind. Study in Dance Any THA course not fulfilling a requirement above, including but not limited to:
THA 189 Topics Course
THA 216 Theater Fundamentals
THA 227 Scene Acting Stage Screen
THA 230 Introduction to Production
THA 232 Stage Management
THA 234 Design for Stage and Screen
THA 295 Special Project Stage screen
THA 327 Acting Styles Stage Screen
THA 330 Applied Stagecraft
THA 359 Musical Theater
THA 400 Advanced Voice Topics
THA 426 Advanced Acting on Camera
THA 470 Story Building
THA 495 Special Project Stage Screen
THA 499 Ind. Study Stage Screen
Options in other departments
AAD 102 Intro Design 2D
AAD 103 Intro Design 3D
CRS 205 Foundations in Creative Thinking
TFA 201 Introduction to Television and Film Arts