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Theatre and Dance

College of Arts and Humanities
Kennedy Theatre 115
1770 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7677
Fax: (808) 956-4234
Web: www.hawaii.edu/theatre

Faculty

*Graduate Faculty

*P. Mitri, MFA (Chair, Director of Theatre)—acting, voice, movement
*G. Lizenbery, BFA (Associate Chair, Director of Dance)—modern dance, kinesiology, movement analysis
*P. Gaither Adams, MFA—modern dance, choreography
*T. H. Baker, MFA—Hawaiian theatre, playwriting
*I. Belton, MPhil—directing
*M. Branner, MFA—theatre for young audiences
*G. Cannon, AB—acting, directing, TV/film
*J. Dodd, MFA—scene design
*E. Fisher, DAD—modern techniques, dance history, choreography
*J. Iezzi, PhD—Asian theatre
*K. Miller, MFA—dance ethnography, visual media for dance, research
*L. O'Malley, PhD—theatre history, dramatic literature
*K. Pauka, PhD—Asian theatre
*A. Schiffner, MFA—creative dance and drama, pedagogy; dance/theatre internships, research, theory
*B. Shevelenko, MFA—lighting, sound, special effects, projections
*C. Vasek, MFA —costume design
*M. Wessendorf, PhD—dramatic literature, theory
*E. Wichmann-Walczak, PhD—Asian theatre

Affiliate Graduate Faculty

M. Cristofori, MA, MBA—theory and dance history
H. Glass, MA—improvisation, choreography
P. Leong, MA—Asian theater, movement
M. Wong, MA—modern dance, choreography

Degrees Offered: BA (including minor) in dance, BA in theatre, BFA in dance theatre, MA in dance, MA in theatre, MFA in dance, MFA in theatre, PhD in theatre

The Academic Program

The Department of Theatre (THEA) and Dance (DNCE) is comprised of two separate but related disciplines.

Theatre includes the study of dramatic literature and theory; acting and directing; stage, costume, and lighting design; stagecraft; playwriting; and Asian theatre, Hawaiian theatre, and TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences). Imaginative and creative individuals interested in the disciplined, practical application of classroom theory are suitable candidates as theatre majors. Teaching and professional stage, film, and television work are typical professions of theatre majors, but the analytical and practical skills, discipline and self-confidence, creativity, problem solving, and ability to work toward common production goals are applicable to all professions. The theatre major will benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that includes the world's most noted Asian theatre program, a nationally respected TYA program, and our Hawaiian theatre offerings.

Dance is the art of human motion. It encompasses the study of human movement as it relates to the physical sciences, music, theatre performance and production, history, cultural context, education, visual design, and human expression. Dance majors find careers in the areas of performance, choreography, teaching, arts administration and production, history and criticism, and research. UH Manoa's dance program offers comprehensive theory courses and a wide variety of dance techniques and styles. The program is considered unique with its offerings in dance culture and performance studies and Asian and Pacific dance.

Affiliations

The department belongs to the Hawai'i State Theatre Council and participates in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. The Asian theatre program is affiliated with the Association for Asian Performance.

The dance program is affiliated with the American College Dance Festival Association and the Council of Dance Administrators.

Advising

After being admitted as majors in the theatre program, undergraduates must consult each semester with the theatre undergraduate advisor. Newly admitted theatre graduate students should consult each semester with the director of graduate studies in theatre for initial advising. After one year of study, a graduate student is expected to select from the graduate faculty a permanent advisor well-versed in the area of the student's concentration.

In dance, undergraduate majors must consult with the dance undergraduate advisor every semester. Graduate students must consult with the director of graduate studies in dance each semester.

Undergraduate Study

BA in Theatre

Students must complete 42 credit hours, including:

  • THEA 240, 311, 312, 411, and 412
  • Two courses in Asian theatre (one in theory/history/literature, one in performance)
  • One course each in acting, voice/movement, directing, design, and youth theatre
  • 6 credits of theatre workshop
  • Recommended additional courses: ART 101, DNCE 150 or 255, and MUS 106 or 107
  • Graduation requirements include the submission of a portfolio of student work eight (8) weeks into the student's final semester, an exit interview, and a written assessment of the student's tenure at UH Manoa.

For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to www.manoa.hawaii.edu/ovcaa/programsheets/.

BA in Dance

This degree is designed for students with a broad interest in dance and allows them maximum flexibility to satisfy requirements in their greatest areas of interest. Incoming students may declare a BA major in Dance on their univesity application.

Students must complete 40 credit hours: 29 credits of required courses and 11 of elective courses. BA majors are required to register for and attend a technique course each semester. Elective credit hours are determined in consultation with an advisor and based on the student's desired focus within dance, such as teaching, choreography, dance culture and performance studies, or technical theatre production.

Course Requirements

  • DNCE 151, 255, 260, 360 or 361, 370 or 490, 452, or 453
  • THEA 200C, 200D, or 200E
  • 12 credits of dance technique at the 200 level or above, including:
    • 3 credits in ballet
    • 3 credits in modern dance
    • 3 credits from two different Asian/Pacific dance forms and at least one of these in Asian dance
  • 11 credits of focus electives to be selected from:
    • DNCE 250, 360, 361, 362, 370, 371, 372, 452, 453, 459, 460, 470, 480, 490, 499, 660, 693, MUS 107, THEA 200, Asian and Pacific performance courses,
      related courses in ethnomusicology, Asian theatre,
      anthropology, Hawaiian studies, Pacific Island studies, or ethnic studies

Other Requirements

A Dance students are required to participate in at least one (1) UH dance production per year (eg., student dance concerts, main stage dance concerts, as performers or crew members). BA majors are required to attend the annual end-of-year assessment class. BA majors are required to take at least one technique class per semester.

Graduation requirements include the submission of a portfolio of student work, assessment essay, exit interview, and completion of a survey.

For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to www.manoa.hawaii.edu/ovcaa/programsheets/.

BFA in Dance Theatre

This program is designed for students who wish to pursue professional careers as dancers, teachers, and/or choreographers. Admission to the program is by audition held annually, usually in April.

Incoming students may declare a BA major in Dance on their university application, then audition for the BFA degree during spring semester of their first year UH Manoa, if interested in the BFA degree program.

Course Requirements

Students must complete 62 credit hours, including:
  • DNCE 151, 250, 360, 361, 362, 370, 371, 372, 452, 453, 495
  • 1 credit hour of DNCE 495
  • 6 credit hours of DNCE 321
  • 6 credit hours of DNCE 331
  • 3 credit hours of DNCE 470 or 480
  • 2 credit hours in two different Asian or Pacific dance performance courses and at least one of those in Asian dance
  • 6 credit hours of ballet technique at the 300 level or higher (DNCE 321 or 421) or 6 credit hours of modern dance technique at the 300 level or higher (DNCE 331 or 431)
  • 6 credit hours of DNCE 421 or 431
  • 2 credit hours of THEA 200C, 200D, or 200E

Other Requirements

BFA Dance students are required to participate in at least two (2) UH dance productions per year. At least one must be in a performance capacity. Attendance at the BFA audition is required each year by the BFA major. Prior to the senior project, BFA students must audition choreography for a fall or spring student concert by the sixth semester of the dance major. BFA majors are required to register for a technique course every semester.

Graduation requirements include the submission of a portfolio of student work, assessment essay, exit interview, and completion of a survey.

For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to www.manoa.hawaii.edu/ovcaa/programsheets/.

Minor in Dance

Course Requirements

Students must complete 15 credit hours numbered 200 level and above, including nine credit hours in courses numbered 300 or above. A maximum of 9 credit hours from dance technique courses may be designated for the minor.

Minor in Theatre

Requirements

Students must complete 15 credit hours in courses numbered 200 or above, including 9 credit hours in courses numbered 300 or above. Courses must include one from performance, one from technical theatre, and one from history/literature. Participation in two departmental productions is required. Theatre minors should consult with the undergraduate theatre advisor.

Graduate Study

Most graduates, especially those with PhD degrees, pursue teaching careers, but there are many career opportunities in community theatres, dance companies, radio, television, films, and professional theatres.

The degrees in Asian theatre are recognized Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) regional graduate programs. Residents of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming are eligible, upon admission, to enroll at Hawai'i-resident tuition rates.

Master’s Degrees in Theatre

Master's degrees in theatre offered are the MA Plan A (thesis), Plan B (non-thesis), and the MFA Plan B (creative/performance). For the MA Plan A, the candidate does research in theatre history, theory, or dramatic literature; the thesis may be in Asian or Western theatre. For the MA Plan B, a generalist degree, the candidate takes additional advanced course work in lieu of writing a thesis. The MFA Plan B emphasizes creative or performance work in six concentrations: acting, directing, design, and playwriting (each of these four may include Western, Asian, Hawaiian, and TYA), Asian performance, and TYA.

Applicants must present an adequate undergraduate background and submit three letters of recommendation, as well as official scores from the GRE General Test. The department expects that all incoming graduate students will have taken at least two courses in dramatic literature and one course in each of the following four areas: acting, directing, design or technical theatre, and theatre history. If such courses have not been taken, they will be made up as undergraduate deficiencies while in residence for the master's program and will not count toward the credit accumulation for the master's degree. The TOEFL minimum score for foreign students is 600. Applicants for the MA Plan A degree are also expected to submit a major paper; those seeking the MFA degree should present appropriate supplementary materials such as slides, photographs, video, or play scripts.

Application deadline for the fall semester is February 1 (January 15 for foreign applicants). Spring semester application deadline is September 1 (August 1 for foreign applicants). Upon the successful completion of 12 graduate credit hours within the department, the elimination of any undergraduate deficiencies, and (for MFA students) the presentation of an acceptable qualifying creative project, the student may be admitted to candidacy.

Students pursuing an MA in theatre develop, with an advisor, a program appropriate for their interests (minimum of 39 credit hours). The program must include 3 credit hours in each of the following areas: research methods (THEA 600); Asian theatre theory/history; Western theatre theory/history; and graduate theatre workshop (THEA 690), in which students receive 1 or 2 credit hours (depending upon extent of involvement) for working on a single Kennedy Theatre production. MA (Thesis) students take an additional 6 credit hours in theatre history or theory; 3 credit hours in a creative area. MA (Non-Thesis) students take 3 credit hours each of TYA, creative drama, creative movement, or Western puppetry; Asian or Western acting or directing; design/technical theatre. A minimum of 18 credit hours must be in courses numbered 600 to 798 (excluding 699 and 700); a minimum of 6 credit hours must be in Asian theatre (excluding 690); credit for 699 may not exceed 9 credit hours. In addition, MA (Thesis) students must complete 6 credit hours of THEA 700 Thesis Research. For both MA degrees, students will take a four-hour written comprehensive examination followed by an oral examination. MA (Thesis) students will have an additional oral comprehensive on the written thesis.

MFA students in all concentrations will take a minimum of 60 credit hours comprised of 12 credit hours of foundation courses (3 credits in research and 9 in history and/or theory); 39 credit hours of concentration courses, including enrollment in THEA 690 Graduate Theatre Workshop, in which students receive 1 or 2 credit hours (depending upon extent of involvement) for working on a single Kennedy Theatre production, and a culminating project for which the student will enroll in 6 credit hours of THEA 695 Creative Project; and 9 credit hours of electives. Of the total 60 credit hours, 30 must be at the 600 level or above. There is no written comprehensive examination for the MFA degree. However, the culminating project will include a written component that goes beyond the descriptive record of the project; the thesis committee, in conjunction with the candidate, will decide the nature, extent, and scope of the written component in each case. Additionally, each student will be given an oral examination on the culminating project.

To receive a list of specific recommended courses for meeting MA and MFA requirements, contact the departmental director of graduate studies. Students will select their elective courses (MA Plan A, 12 credits; MA Plan B, 18 credits; or MFA Plan B, 9 credits) in consultation with their advisors to reflect their special interests. Students with sufficient undergraduate preparation may take approved related graduate courses in other departments for credit toward their degree.

In consultation with an advisor, each MFA student develops a program appropriate for his or her interests within the specific requirements of one of the following concentrations:

Acting

For the concentration in acting, students must complete 3 credits in research; 9 credits in history and/or theory (minimum 3 credits in Asian and 3 credits in Western); 6 credits in voice; 6 credits in movement and/or dance; 12 credits in acting (minimum 3 credits in Asian and 3 credits in Western); 3 credits in additional creative/performance courses in above areas or in directing, design/technical theatre, or playwriting; 6 credits of THEA 690 Graduate Theatre Workshop (a minimum of 4 credits in acting and 1 credit in technical theatre; 1 credit may be in design, directing, playwriting, etc., and 6 credits of THEA 695 Creative Project.

Design

For the concentration in design, students must complete 3 credits in research; 9 credits in history and/or theory, Asian and/or Western (minimum one 3 credit seminar); 3 credits in costume design or construction (400 level or above); 3 credits in lighting design (400 level or above); 3 credits in set design (400 level or above); 3 credits of THEA 657 Seminar in Design; 9 credits in additional design courses (costume, lighting, or set, 400 level or above); 6 credits in creative/performance courses (in at least two areas including acting, directing, dance, playwriting, puppetry, or theatre management); 6 credits of THEA 690 Graduate Theatre Workshop (minimum 4 credits in design; 2 credits may include acting, directing, playwriting, stage managing, etc.; minimum 2 credits in faculty-directed and 2 credits in student-directed shows); minimum 3 credits in Asian theatre (excluding THEA 690); and 6 credits of THEA 695 Creative Project.

Directing

For the concentration in directing, students must complete 3 credits in research; 9 credits in history and/or theory (minimum 3 credits in Asian and 3 credits in Western, 3 credits of which must be in theory); 3 credits in script analysis; 12 credits in graduate-level directing (minimum 3 credits in Asian and 3 credits in Western); 6 credits in design/technical theatre (in two areas—theatre design, costume, lighting, or set); 6 credits in creative/performance courses (in at least two areas—acting, choreography, dance, movement, music, playwriting, puppetry, or voice); 6 credits of THEA 690 Graduate Theatre Workshop (minimum 4 credits in directing including assistant directing and dramaturgy; 2 credits may include acting, design, playwriting, stage managing, etc.; minimum 2 credits in faculty-directed and 2 credits in student-directed shows); and 6 credits of THEA 695 Creative Project.

Playwriting

For the concentration in playwriting, students must complete 3 credits in research; 9 credits in history and/or theory (including 3 credits in Asian and 3 credits in Western, both at 600 level or above); 9 credits in playwriting (excluding THEA 318); 3 credits in script analysis; 3 credits in contemporary dramatic literature or theatre history; 6 credits in design/technical theatre (including 3 credits in lighting design); 3 credits in acting or directing (Asian or Western); 3 credits in movement, dance, or music (Asian or Western); 3 credits in puppetry or youth theatre; 3 credits of THEA 690 Graduate Theatre Workshop in dramaturgy; electives may include an additional 3 credits of THEA 690 (in acting, design, directing, playwriting, stage managing, etc.); and 6 credits of THEA 695 Creative Project.

Asian Performance

For the concentration in Asian performance, students must complete 3 credits in research; 9 credits in Asian theatre history/theory; 9 credits in Asian acting; 6 credits in Asian/multicultural directing; 3 credits in Asian/Pacific music and dance (minimum 1 credit in music and 1 credit in dance); 3 credits in design/technical theatre or playwriting; 6 credits of additional creative/performance courses in above areas or courses at the graduate level in Western acting or directing; 6 credits of THEA 690 Graduate Theatre Workshop (minimum 4 credits in Asian performance—acting, directing, or puppetry; 2 credits may include other courses in acting, design, directing, playwriting, stage managing, etc.; minimum 2 credits in faculty-directed and 2 credits in student-directed shows); and 6 credits of THEA 695 Creative Project.

Theater for Young Audiences (TYA)

For the concentration in TYA, students must complete 3 credits in research; 9 credits in Asian and/or Western history and/or theory; 3 credits in child/adolescent development; 3 credits in creative/drama; 3 credits in theatre for young audiences; 3 credits in a teaching seminar; and 3 credits in a TYA seminar. Areas of specialty in the TYA concentration include acting, curriculum, design, directing, playwriting, and puppetry. Candidates must take 9 credits in any one of these areas along with minimum of 4 credits of Graduate Theatre Workshop (THEA 690) and 6 credis of Creative Project (THEA 695). An additional 12 credit hours of electives are available, although a minimum of 3 credits in Asian theatre (excluding THEA 690) are required.

Master’s Degrees in Dance

The department's graduate offerings in dance include the MA Plan A, MA Plan B, and the MFA. For admission to the master's in dance program the GRE is not required; for foreign students the minimum TOEFL score is 600. The MA Plan A requires a written thesis. The MS Plan B requires a capstone project. The MFA requires a creative performance and choreography thesis with accompanying written documentation and video. Intended dance candidates for all degrees must present an adequate undergraduate background in dance or a related field and submit three letters of recommendation. MFA candidates in dance must also submit a DVD sample of their choreography and performance. MA and MFA candidates must submit a sample of written work, such as a major paper. The application deadline for the fall semester is February 1 (January 15 for foreign applicants). Spring semester application deadline is September 1 (August 1 for foreign applicants). All materials should be sent directly to the Graduate Division.

Upon the successful completion of 12 graduate credit hours within the department, the elimination of any undergraduate deficiencies, and (for MFA students) the presentation of an acceptable example of creative work (the qualifying dance) the student may be admitted to candidacy.

Dance Culture and Performance

The MA Plan A (dance culture and performance emphasis) requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, including DNCE 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, or 661 and 700 (6 credit hours); 3 credit hours in 400 level Asian or Pacific performance courses; related area electives (6 credit hours); dance electives (3 credit hours); and general electives (3 credit hours). All electives must relate to thesis research. Language courses may be required if necessary for the student's thesis research.

Dance Education

MA Plan B (dance education emphasis), requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, including DNCE 460, 651, 652, 691, 693, and 699; 9 credit hours from 321, 331, 421, 431; 3 credit hours in 300 to 400 level Asian or Pacific dance courses; and 6 credit hours of electives (3 credits at the 600 level).

Performance and Choreography

The MFA emphasizes performance and choreography. The MFA Plan A requires a minimum of 60 credit hours, including DNCE 421 or 431 (18 credit hours); DNCE 651, 652, 660, 661, 671, and 672 (4 credit hours); DNCE 679 (2 credit hours), 691, and 700 (6 credit hours); 2 credit hours in two different Asian or Pacific dance forms; 3 credit hours in 600 level dance electives; 6 credit hours in non-dance electives; and 1 credit hour in a general elective. MFA candidates must participate in two dance productions a year and register to attend a technique course each semester. It is expected that MFA candidates present choreography every semester. Qualifying choreography on a student concert is required prior to proposing the thesis.

MFA Plan A and MA Plan B require written comprehensive examinations and an oral defense of the examination. MA Plan A and MFA Plan A require an oral defense of the thesis.

Doctoral Degree

The Doctor of Philosophy degree given for scholarship in theatre history, theory, or criticism, not creative or artistic work, is offered in three areas: (a) Western theatre, (b) Asian theatre, and (c) comparative Asian-Western theatre. The PhD degree is not conferred for the acquisition of academic credits. It is granted only to candidates who demonstrate outstanding ability to do imaginative research and who present the results in a cogent dissertation.

A candidate for the degree is required to successfully complete three semesters of full-time residence, required courses (detailed below), other courses as deemed necessary by the student's doctoral committee, examination in the research language(s) used in the student's dissertation research, a written and oral comprehensive examination, and an oral defense of the student's dissertation. The minimum residence requirement is three semesters of full-time work or the equivalent in credits at UH Manoa. At the end of the second semester in residence, the graduate faculty will provide the candidate with an assessment of his or her progress to date.

Required courses in the Western area are THEA 600, plus three other 600 to 700 level courses from a departmental list of approved courses; required courses in the Asian area are THEA 464, 465, and 466, as well as THEA 660 if the candidate's dissertation requires field research. The curriculum of the comparative Asian-Western theatre area is determined by the student's doctoral committee. A high level of accomplishment in the foreign language or languages appropriate to the proposed area of research is required and will be determined by examination.

Proficiency in teaching, whether lecturing before large classes or teaching smaller classes and leading discussions, is considered part of the training of all PhD candidates, who should demonstrate this proficiency by giving several such lectures or by serving as teaching assistants.

Written comprehensive examinations and two hours of oral comprehensive examinations are required of all candidates before admission to candidacy. These are given after a student has completed the language requirement and before embarking on the dissertation. Written comprehensive exams shall consist of nine questions, one or more of which will specifically address the candidate's major area of research and one or more of which may be of a special nature at the discretion of the candidate's committee. The comprehensive includes questions on both Asian and Western drama and theatre; further guidelines are available from the graduate advisor. The questions on the written portion are posed by the theatre and dance graduate faculty and members of the student's committee. The doctoral committee consists of at least five graduate faculty, of whom a majority are from the Department of Theatre and Dance and at least one from another department.

Applicants for admission to the program must submit a detailed statement of the dissertation research they propose, three letters from those acquainted with their academic work, a sample of their research (such as a seminar paper or a master's thesis), and official GRE General Test scores. The application deadline for admission in the fall semester is February 1 (January 15 for foreign applicants). Spring semester application deadline is September 1 (August 1 for foreign applicants). Requirements include a broad background in the humanities, a master's degree in theatre or its equivalent, and competence in dramatic production.

Candidates for the PhD who do not complete all requirements within seven years after admission into the doctoral program may be readmitted to candidacy only on the approval of the department's doctoral faculty and the Graduate Division.

DNCE Courses

THEA Courses