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The Department of Music and Performing Arts offers one major and one minor in theatre and dance, starting fall 2027:

The department also offers a teaching credential program in theatre and dance.

For students in a current program

The B.A. in Theatre Arts with the Theatre Performance concentration, the Dance minor, the Inclusive and Social Justice Performance minor, and the Theatre minor are in the 2026–2027 catalog, and their requirements are below. Students in these programs can complete them under their catalog rights, and changing catalogs is optional.

From fall 2027, the new B.A. in Theatre Arts is the department's only major and the minor in Performing Arts is its only minor. We strongly encourage current students to move to the 2027–2028 catalog. Talk with your advisor first, then submit the Request to Update Major or Minor Catalog Year eForm in MyCompass.

2026–2027 catalog programs

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  • Through inclusive and rigorous creative inquiry, the Department of Theatre and Dance provides comprehensive training for performance, creativity, reflection, diversity, collaboration, mentorship, community engagement, and social justice.

    Through a combination of core classes with a concentration, the program provides comprehensive pre-professional training in the areas of performance (Acting, Dance, Inclusive Performance (Applied Social Justice), and Musical Theatre) and production (Stage Technology and Design). Our primary goal is to develop artists whose performance skills and creativity are supported by a firm background in history, literature, and aesthetics. In an environment designed to encourage creativity and self-expression, students perform regularly in a variety of theatre and dance productions. The culmination requirement offers an opportunity to direct, choreograph, perform, write, intern, or design.

    Program learning outcomes

    Students graduating with a B.A. in Theatre Arts from CSU East Bay will be able to:

    1. Perform for audiences, on stage or in other arenas and careers.
    2. Create performance that presents human issues in inclusive, exciting, original ways.
    3. Reflect on historical and contemporary works of theatre and dance from diverse cultures.
    4. Engage individuals and build community through meaningful theatre and dance experiences.

    The 4-year and 2-year ADT roadmaps for this concentration are in the 2026–2027 catalog.

    Units

    The B.A. requires 120 units:

    • Major requirements: 37–49 units
    • General Education (GE) and Graduation Requirements (GR): 52 units
    • Free electives: 19–31 units, depending on GE and GR units

    Some units may double-count within the graduation requirements, or a course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Your advisor can tell you which.

    Core coursework (16 units)

    Take all of the following:

    • DANC 115 Modern Dance I (1 unit)
    • DANC 116 Dance Partnering I (1 unit)
    • DANC 362 Inclusive Interdisciplinary Ensemble (2 units)
    • THEA 110 Discover Acting (3 units; GE-3A)
    • THEA 321 History of Black Theatre (3 units; GE-UD-3, Diversity)
    • THEA 461 Scenery, Lighting and Sound Design (3 units)
    • THEA 462 Costume and Makeup Design (3 units)

    Core production and performance coursework (8 units)

    Take a minimum of 8 units from the following. Some courses need to be repeated.

    • DANC 360 Inclusive Interdisciplinary Ensemble Performance (1 unit)
    • DANC 370 Dance Ensemble Performance (1 unit)
    • THEA 350 Theatre Performance (1 unit)
    • THEA 370 Musical Theater Performance (1 unit)
    • THEA 381 Production Support: Stage, Lights and Sound Shop or Crew (1 unit)
    • THEA 382 Production Support: Costume and Makeup Shop or Crew (1 unit)

    Capstone (1 unit)

    Seniors take one of the following:

    • DANC 493 Dance Capstone (1 unit)
    • THEA 493 Theatre Capstone (1 unit)

    Students who aren't seniors and want to take part in a capstone project take DANC 293 or THEA 293. See your advisor.

    Theatre Performance concentration (24 units)

    Take 24 units from the following:

    • DANC 110 Contemporary Ballet I (1 unit)
    • DANC 113 Jazz Dance I (1 unit)
    • DANC 210 Contemporary Ballet II (1 unit)
    • DANC 213 Jazz Dance II (1 unit)
    • DANC 217 Musical Theater Dance (1 unit)
    • DANC 234 Tap and Musical Theatre Dance on Stage and Screen (3 units; GE-3A, Diversity)
    • DANC 313 Jazz Dance III (1 unit)
    • DANC 314 Modern Jazz Dance III (1 unit)
    • THEA 101 Doing The Right Thing: Social Justice Theatre (3 units; GE-3A, Social Justice)
    • THEA 112 Makeup Techniques (1 unit)
    • THEA 114 Sound Production Techniques (1 unit)
    • THEA 231 Creating Theatre from Personal Experience (3 units)
    • THEA 234 Social Justice Theatre Ensemble (2 units)
    • THEA 251 Stage Voice and Classical Repertoire (2 units)
    • THEA 252 Voice and Movement for Actors (2 units)
    • THEA 254 Acting and Diversity (3 units; GE-3B, Diversity)
    • THEA 322 History of Musical Theatre (3 units; GE-UD-3)
    • THEA 331 Solo and Devised Theatre Ensemble (2 units)
    • THEA 351 Intermediate Acting (3 units)
    • THEA 359 Directing (3 units)
    • THEA 371 Musical Theatre Techniques (3 units)
    • THEA 431 Exploration of Dramatic Literature Characters (3 units)
    • THEA 432 Exploration of Dramatic Literature Themes (3 units)

    Other requirements

    Every student also completes the university's baccalaureate requirements, described in the Undergrad Baccalaureate & Program Requirements chapter of the catalog.

  • The Dance minor is 19 units. At least 9 units must be upper division.

    Technique (3 units)

    Take two first-level technique courses (2 units):

    • DANC 110 Contemporary Ballet I (1 unit)
    • DANC 111 Hip Hop Dance I (1 unit)
    • DANC 113 Jazz Dance I (1 unit)
    • DANC 115 Modern Dance I (1 unit)
    • DANC 116 Dance Partnering I (1 unit)

    Take one second-level technique course (1 unit):

    • DANC 211 Hip Hop Dance II (1 unit)
    • DANC 213 Jazz Dance II (1 unit)
    • DANC 215 Modern Dance II (1 unit)
    • DANC 216 Dance Partnering II (1 unit)
    • DANC 217 Musical Theater Dance (1 unit)

    Learning community (3 units)

    Take one of the following:

    • DANC 102 Diversity in Dance (3 units)
    • DANC 345 How to Watch Dance (3 units; GE-UD-3, Diversity)

    Dance history (3 units)

    Take one of the following:

    • DANC 233 Street to Stage: History of Hip Hop Dance (3 units)
    • DANC 234 Tap and Musical Theatre Dance on Stage and Screen (3 units; GE-3A, Diversity)
    • DANC 331 Sex, Race, and Body Politics in Dance (3 units; GE-UD-3, Diversity)
    • DANC 332 World Dance and Cultures (3 units; GE-UD-3, Diversity)

    Choreography and performance, or pedagogy (6 units)

    Take 6 units from one of the two groups.

    Choreography and performance (at least one of these courses must be repeated for credit):

    • DANC 293 Dance Projects (1 unit)
    • DANC 371 Dance Stage and Screen Ensemble (2 units)
    • DANC 372 Dance Creative Process Ensemble (2 units)

    Pedagogy:

    • DANC 341 Dance for Children (3 units; GE-UD-3)
    • DANC 401 The Expressive Body (3 units; GE-UD-3, Diversity)

    Performance (2 units)

    • DANC 360 Inclusive Interdisciplinary Ensemble Performance (1 unit)
    • DANC 370 Dance Ensemble Performance (1 unit)

    Production support (2 units)

    • THEA 381 Production Support: Stage, Lights and Sound Shop or Crew (1 unit)
    • THEA 382 Production Support: Costume and Makeup Shop or Crew (1 unit)

  • The Inclusive and Social Justice Performance minor is 26–27 units.

    Required coursework (4 units)

    Take all four:

    • THEA 111 Costume Techniques (1 unit)
    • THEA 112 Makeup Techniques (1 unit)
    • THEA 113 Stage Lighting Techniques (1 unit)
    • THEA 114 Sound Production Techniques (1 unit)

    Dance technique (2 units)

    Take two of the following:

    • DANC 110 Contemporary Ballet I (1 unit)
    • DANC 111 Hip Hop Dance I (1 unit)
    • DANC 115 Modern Dance I (1 unit)
    • DANC 116 Dance Partnering I (1 unit)

    History, theory, and analysis (6 units)

    Take one course from the first list and one from the second.

    • DANC 102 Diversity in Dance (3 units)
    • DANC 233 Street to Stage: History of Hip Hop Dance (3 units)
    • DANC 234 Tap and Musical Theatre Dance on Stage and Screen (3 units; GE-3A, Diversity)
    • THEA 100 Theatre: A Spotlight on Life (3 units)
    • THEA 101 Doing The Right Thing: Social Justice Theatre (3 units; GE-3A, Social Justice)
    • THEA 260 Architecture and Costume History (3 units; GE-3B)
    • DANC 345 How to Watch Dance (3 units; GE-UD-3, Diversity)
    • THEA 345 How to Watch Plays and Film (3 units; GE-UD-3)

    Ensemble participation (6 units)

    Take three of the following:

    • DANC 362 Inclusive Interdisciplinary Ensemble (2 units)
    • DANC 371 Dance Stage and Screen Ensemble (2 units)
    • THEA 231 Creating Theatre from Personal Experience (3 units)
    • THEA 233 Pilipinix Culture: Theatre Ensemble (2 units)
    • THEA 234 Social Justice Theatre Ensemble (2 units)
    • THEA 331 Solo and Devised Theatre Ensemble (2 units)

    Performer methods and support (5 units minimum)

    Take two of the following:

    • DANC 331 Sex, Race, and Body Politics in Dance (3 units; GE-UD-3, Diversity)
    • THEA 252 Voice and Movement for Actors (2 units)
    • THEA 254 Acting and Diversity (3 units; GE-3B, Diversity)
    • THEA 461 Scenery, Lighting and Sound Design (3 units)
    • THEA 462 Costume and Makeup Design (3 units)

  • The Theatre minor is 20–22 units. It recognizes students who add theatre performance, technical, or literary skills to their résumé. Where presentation, production, or humane analysis will benefit a career, the minor supplies the introduction to and practice of teamwork, creative problem solving, and cultural understanding.

    Required courses (4 units)

    • THEA 231 Creating Theatre from Personal Experience (3 units)

    Take one basic technique course (1 unit):

    • THEA 111 Costume Techniques (1 unit)
    • THEA 112 Makeup Techniques (1 unit)
    • THEA 113 Stage Lighting Techniques (1 unit)
    • THEA 114 Sound Production Techniques (1 unit)

    Electives (16–18 units)

    At least 9 elective units must be upper division.

    Focus electives: take four courses, at least two of them at the 300 level or above, for 10–12 units.

    • THEA 100 Theatre: A Spotlight on Life (3 units)
    • THEA 101 Doing The Right Thing: Social Justice Theatre (3 units; GE-3A, Social Justice)
    • THEA 151 Fundamentals of Acting (3 units)
    • THEA 246 Women in Performance (3 units; GE-3A)
    • THEA 251 Stage Voice and Classical Repertoire (2 units)
    • THEA 252 Voice and Movement for Actors (2 units)
    • THEA 254 Acting and Diversity (3 units; GE-3B, Diversity)
    • THEA 260 Architecture and Costume History (3 units; GE-3B)
    • THEA 293 Theatre Projects (1 unit)
    • THEA 323 Shakespeare on Film (3 units)
    • THEA 351 Intermediate Acting (3 units)
    • THEA 371 Musical Theatre Techniques (3 units)
    • THEA 431 Exploration of Dramatic Literature Characters (3 units)
    • THEA 432 Exploration of Dramatic Literature Themes (3 units)
    • THEA 461 Scenery, Lighting and Sound Design (3 units)
    • THEA 462 Costume and Makeup Design (3 units)

    Take 2 units from the following:

    • THEA 350 Theatre Performance (1 unit)
    • THEA 370 Musical Theater Performance (1 unit)

    Take 4 units from the following:

    • THEA 233 Pilipinix Culture: Theatre Ensemble (2 units)
    • THEA 234 Social Justice Theatre Ensemble (2 units)
    • THEA 331 Solo and Devised Theatre Ensemble (2 units)
    • THEA 381 Production Support: Stage, Lights and Sound Shop or Crew (1 unit)
    • THEA 382 Production Support: Costume and Makeup Shop or Crew (1 unit)