This handbook is intended to supplement the UNH Undergraduate Catalog, the Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities handbook, and the Theatre & Dance Department website. It contains department policies that all majors and minors should be familiar with as well as useful information about the department.
I. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Mission Statement (BACK TO TOP)
Since there are few areas of human knowledge or endeavor that the theatre does not touch, the Theatre and Dance Department provides a collaborative, integrated, and coherent undergraduate education that is inherently inter-disciplinary. Theatre integrates learning and doing through course offerings and productions. In accordance with objectives set forth in the UNH Strategic Plan, members of the Theatre and Dance faculty and staff integrate research, scholarship, and artistry with teaching. Both in the courses we teach and in the theatre and dance productions we prepare, we foster in our students and in each other collaboration, creativity, communication and critical thinking. The published and performed works of Department faculty provide original contributions both to general knowledge and to the history, criticism, theory, and practice of the theatre arts and the dance. The Department serves the university at large by providing culture to the community, increasing arts awareness and enhancing a variety of other courses of study. Through course offerings and productions, the Department of Theatre and Dance embraces a notion of intellectual and artistic community committed to social justice. We seek to enrich and enhance our department with diversity and inclusion through the courses we teach, the productions we mount, and in our recruitment of students, faculty and staff. In everything we do, we endeavor to facilitate a new generation of ideas and leaders within the disciplines of Theatre and Dance, and we seek to cultivate civil discourse among diverse parties across the university and beyond. (revised 5/13/21)
II. PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Auditions/Interviews for Entrance into the Program (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Entrance Requirements and Registration
Auditions are required for the acting, dance and musical theatre options. Interviews are strongly encouraged for all other options. In addition to the audition, students will have an opportunity to ask questions during a comprehensive department overview. Please note that entrance into the UNH Department of Theatre & Dance option is contingent upon acceptance into the University of New Hampshire. Prospective students who live more than 250 miles away may contact the department main office at theatre.dance@unh.edu to discuss other audition options.
Performance Opportunities (BACK TO TOP)
The department produces four main-stage theatre productions and one fully produced dance concert. Six student showcase performances are presented in choreography, aerial dance, musical theatre and Puppetry. The ArtsReach spring tour and the Little Red Wagon summer tour bring theatre-for-youth productions to audiences throughout the region. Mask & Dagger, UNH’s student-run theatre troupe, also produces a variety of productions throughout the year.
Opportunities for Non-Majors (BACK TO TOP)
All UNH students are welcome to audition for our productions. We also welcome students who would like to work backstage in the technical areas. Most theatre & dance classes are open to all UNH students.
III. CURRICULUM
The Theatre Major at UNH offers a comprehensive education in performance, dance, theatre history, design, and theatre technology. With a flexible credit load, students can pair theatre studies with another major. The program features award-winning faculty and various performance opportunities, including student productions. Enrichment opportunities involve pursuing independent study to deepen learning regarding areas of interest; applying for R.E.A.C.H. financial assistance to help subsidize practical internships; experiencing a 10-day January Term study-abroad program in London.
There is no area of human endeavor that the theatre does not touch; to teach and learn about theatre is to teach and learn about human life. Whether you live for the stage, have a love of costumes, or see yourself running things behind the scenes, a theatre degree will allow you to engage with your passion for the performing arts and for the life that the performing arts imitate. You’ll study performance, theatre history, and the elements of design and theatre technology. The program was designed with a relatively light credit load, allowing you to combine your theatre studies with another major.
The UNH Department of Theatre and Dance offers a variety of performance opportunities every year in musicals, plays and dance concerts, including student productions. The curriculum allows for flexibility to independently study a broad range of interests. Financial assistance provides access to internship opportunities with professional theatre or dance organizations, and our January Term study abroad program immerses students in London theatre as well as gaining insights into politics and societal issues.
Major Requirements (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Theatre Major (B.A.) | Theatre Major: Acting and Directing Option (B.A.) | Theatre Major: Dance Option (B.A.)
Theatre Major: Design & Theatre Technology Option (B.A.)| Theatre Major: Musical Theatre Option (B.A.)
Theatre Major: Secondary Theatre Education Option (B.A.) & Guide
Minor Requirements (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Arts Administration & Guide | Dance | Musical Theatre| Theatre | Youth Drama
Auditions are not required to pursue a minor. Students can declare a minor through Webcat. Students pursuing a minor in the Theatre & Dance Department should email mike.wood@unh.edu so they can be added to the department’s email list.
Cognate Requirements (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Studies in Fashion and Design | Studies in the Design of Interior Space
University Honors (BACK TO TOP)
Links: UNH Honors College
The University of New Hampshire Hamel Honors and Scholars College provides a community for academically motivated students. Launched in 2024, the Honors College curriculum is an innovative approach to supporting students who want to take their college education to a higher level. Emphasizing individual choice, flexibility, and hands-on learning, the Honors College works with each student to design their personal journey at UNH..
Departmental Honors (Honors in Major) (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Honors in Major Guidelines
Students with an overall grade point average of 3.40 who may or may not be in the University Honors Program but who meet the requirements for honors work in the major are entitled to graduate with Honors in Major on their diploma and academic record. Contact Prof. Assaf Benchetrit for more info.
Capstone Guidelines (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Acting & Directing | Dance | Design & Theatre Technology | Musical Theatre | Secondary Theatre Education
Fine & Performing Arts (FPA) Discovery Requirement (BACK TO TOP)
Theatre & Dance majors may use an FPA-designated course to fulfill both major and University Discovery requirements.
Liberal Arts World Language Requirement (BACK TO TOP)
Links: World Language Requirement
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement. No credit is awarded for elementary year college coursework if the student has had two or more years of that language in high school. Students should complete this requirement ASAP but no later than the sophomore year. Theatre & Dance majors may satisfy this requirement by completing two semesters of American Sign Language.
Credit Requirements/Limits (BACK TO TOP)
- Needed to graduate: 128 credits
- Needed to be a full-time student: 12 credits
- Pre-registration limit (before the semester begins): 18 credits
- Semester limit (once the semester has begun): 20 credits (First-Semester Limit 18)
- Semester limit for THDA majors if one practicum: 21 credits
THDA 589: Practicum in Theatre & Dance (BACK TO TOP)
THDA 589 is a course in which students get hands-on experience in some aspect of the department's theatrical season. Assignments include technical support, marketing, ushering, and performance. Students are required to take at least one practicum every semester they are a major in the Theatre & Dance Department. All practicum credits must be earned for work done at UNH and supervised by the Theatre and Dance Department. Approximately 40 work hours are required per practicum class. Each practicum course is graded pass or fail. The student must meet with the practicum instructor no later than the second week of the semester for job description, procedures and assignments. Failure to do so may result in receiving an “F” for the course. Students must take at least one practicum in each area: performance, technical, marketing.
Learning Assessments and Portfolio (BACK TO TOP)
Links: THDA Learning Outcomes Assessment Portfolios
All UNH academic programs include a list of student learning outcomes (SLOs). These are statements that describe what a student will know, understand, or be able to do after completing the major. All THDA majors must meet the SLOs for the Comprehensive Theatre major as well as the SLOs for their THDA option.
In order to demonstrate that THDA students are meeting the SLOs of their major, they are required to maintain a digital portfolio consisting of class work that demonstrates how a particular assignment or activity meets the standards set within the SLOs of that major. Each THDA major has a Microsoft OneNote portfolio used for collecting assessment information. Using the artifacts tab, you will upload assignments for each learning objective; you should be uploading these artifacts every semester. Your portfolio will be part of your final Capstone grade.
Example of an artifact to upload: learning outcome for MT says “Demonstrate the ability to perform dance choreography”. In the box for that outcome, you might upload a video of a dance assignment in THDA 463 along with the grading rubric. You might upload a clip of you dancing in that year’s musical. For this comprehensive theatre objective (“Effectively communicate artistic ideas and/or critical analysis of theatre or dance works through appropriate oral, written or practical means”), you could upload an analysis paper of a performance you attended for either THDA 463 or THDA 551.
Under the Practicum tab, there is a practicum narrative self-evaluation you need to fill out EACH SEMESTER once you have finished your practicum assignment. THEN let your practicum supervisor know when you have finished the form; they will add comments about how well you did with your assignment.
NOTES:
• You should not fill out anything under the assessments tab. This is where your advisor will make notes each year and discuss your progress.
• If you have a double option, you will need to upload artifacts for each set of learning outcomes as well as for the comprehensive theatre outcomes. Both advisors, on a yearly basis, will discuss your progress in the respective options.
• Contact your advisor with any quetions.
IV. COURSE REGISTRATION
Registration Deadlines (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Registrar’s Office Website
Students are responsible for ensuring they are registered for their classes. It’s imperative each student confirms they are registered correctly before the deadline to add classes has passed.
THDA Pre-Registration (BACK TO TOP)
Links: THDA Pre-Registration Form
The pre-registration process gives THDA majors and minors priority scheduling for their THDA classes by allowing them to register for THDA courses before the rest of the university begins registration. You should include ALL THDA classes on your pre-registration form. The only exception is if you need to save room in your schedule to register for a Discovery course so you don’t go over the 18-credit pre-registration limit.
The pre-registration process is as follows:
- THDA majors and minors will receive an email announcing the deadlines for pre-registration.
- Contact your advisor to set up an advising appointment.
- Complete the pre-registration form in advance of your advising appointment. Your advisor will approve your form..
- A few days before registration begins, you will receive your registration access code (RAC) along with the date and time your registration window opens. You will need it to register for your non-THDA classes.
Find Your Registration Access Code (RAC) (BACK TO TOP)
Links: MyUNH Portal (MY.UNH.EDU → WEBCAT → REGISTRATION → VIEW RAC)
Students who have already received their RAC but misplaced it can retrieve it using Webcat.
Course Prerequisites (BACK TO TOP)
Prerequisites are courses that must be taken before another course. Students are not able to register for a course without having taken the required prerequisites unless they have permission from the instructor. In the course catalog, each prerequisite for a course is separated from the other prerequisites by a semicolon; e.g., Prereq: THDA 551; THDA 552.
Permission Required (BACK TO TOP)
Some classes require permission of the instructor before a student can register for the class. If a course is listed as PERMISSION REQUIRED, you must see the professor teaching the course in order to have your name added to their permission sign-up sheet.
Special Course Approval Forms (BACK TO TOP)
Links: THDA Course Approval Form (Capstone, Independent Study, Internship)
Students planning to register for internship, independent study, or capstone must submit the THDA Course Approval form.
Practicum 21 Credit Rule (BACK TO TOP)
Due to the “activity” nature of this course, students are allowed one unpaid credit per semester; thus, if you register for 21 credits and 1 credit is practicum - you will not be charged extra.
Auditing a Class (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Guide for Auditing Classes
Audit Class Form
All THDA majors should take THDA courses for credit, even if repeating classes1. Auditing a class is not meant to be requested because a student doesn’t want to attend all classes or because the student is cast in productions that make it hard to attend class. All classes, audits or not, should take priority over productions. If a student is too busy to attend class, the student should reduce their non-academic activities rather than skip classes. Auditing is only allowed under the following circumstances:
1) A required lab conflicts with one of the class days.
2) Taking the course for credit will put the student over the 20-credit limit2.
1. Most 500 & 600-level dance classes are repeatable for credit up to 8 semesters. Students should only audit a dance class if the student doesn’t have room in their schedule to add credits.
2. Credits taken for audit are not charged extra if taken above the 20-credit limit. COLA Dean’s Office approval is needed when registering for more than 20 credits (including audit credits).
V. ACADEMIC RESOURCES
Advising (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Locate Student’s Advisor (MY.UNH.EDU → WEBCAT → STUDENT RECORDS → VIEW MAJOR AND ADVISOR → CURRENT TERM)
Each student is assigned a faculty advisor at the start of their studies in the department. Academic advisors typically help students both schedule classes that meet university and departmental requirements and monitor their progress throughout their academic career. While academic advisors will help guide students, the student is solely responsible for completing all work required for graduation and for the scheduling of all the necessary courses. “No one told me” is never an excuse for not completing graduation requirements.
DegreeWorks Degree Audit (BACK TO TOP)
Links: MyUNH Portal (MY.UNH.EDU → WEBCAT → STUDENT RECORDS → DEGREE EVALUATION → DEGREE WORKS)
DegreeWorks is a tool to track completion of University requirements. Students should refer to this tool regularly to make sure they are on track to graduate.
Add/Change Majors (BACK TO TOP)
Links: MyUNH Portal (MY.UNH.EDU → WEBCAT → STUDENT RECORDS → CHANGE MAJOR/OPTION)
Students can declare or change majors through Webcat.
Career and Professional Success Office (CaPS) (BACK TO TOP)
Links: CaPS Website
Career and Professional Success provides a number of platforms and career technology tools to assist students in building professional success.
Petition for Variance in Academic Policy (BACK TO TOP)
Links: UNH Registrar’s Office Forms
Petitions are required in most instances when a student is requesting to do something contrary to UNH academic policy. Petitions should be RARE. Students should not get in the habit of submitting petitions on a routine basis. Be aware of academic policies, especially add and drop deadlines for classes. If you need to submit a petition…
- Make sure your request is clear and complete.
- Use course/section number and course reference number.
- If you’re asking to add a class, make sure it doesn’t conflict with your other classes.
- The maximum credit load is 21 including practicum. If you add more classes for audit, you won’t be charged extra. If you add more classes for credit, you will be charged an extra fee per credit (approx. $645 for NH residents, $1,435 for non-residents).
- Make sure the instructor of the class and your advisor have added their comments and their signatures to the form.
Study Abroad (BACK TO TOP)
Links: The London Experience | COLA Study Abroad | UNH Global Education Center | National Student Exchange
The Department of Theatre & Dance offers THDA 532: The London Experience. This class is a wonderful opportunity to learn about and visit one of the greatest cities in the world. The 9 Night/10 Day visit includes sight-seeing and allows the student to take in some of the best theatre in the English speaking world!
VI. FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT
Hours of Operation (BACK TO TOP)
The Paul Creative Arts Center is typically open 8am-10pm Monday through Sunday. Students should not be in the building outside of these hours. The building is closed on University holidays.
Scheduling Theatre & Dance Spaces (BACK TO TOP)
Links: UNH Event Services Portal
Instructions for Scheduling Spaces
The following spaces are available for reservation through the Theatre & Dance Dept
- M118
- M119
- M213
- M316
- Hennessy Theatre
- Newman Dance Studio
- Stage Dance Studio
Using Music Department Practice Rooms (BACK TO TOP)
The practice rooms on the third floor of the music wing are administered by the Music Dept. They allow Musical Theatre option students as well as other students enrolled in Voice Lessons to reserve space in these rooms after 4pm..
Borrowing THDA Property (BACK TO TOP)
Use of THDA property, including but not limited to equipment, props, scenery and costume pieces, is only allowed upon permission of THDA Faculty/Staff.
- Props, Scenery, Scene Shop Tools: Jason Wright JasonMyron.Wright@unh.edu
- Costume Pieces, Costume Shop Tools: Victoria Carot victoria.carot@unh.edu
THDA Library (BACK TO TOP)
Links:THDA Physical Library
Physical media is housed in room M319. THDA faculty, staff and students can use online library to make requests.
VII. PRODUCTIONS
THDA Production Roles & Etiquette (BACK TO TOP)
Links: THDA Production 101
This document gives new students an understanding of the roles of production staff in our department along with best practices for students involved in productions.
Auditions for THDA Productions (BACK TO TOP)
Links: https://cola.unh.edu/theatre-dance/opportunities/auditions
Casting Policy (BACK TO TOP)
Theatre majors and minors are expected to attend all call backs for plays that they have auditioned for and to accept roles for which they have been cast. In accepting a role, you are committing to ALL rehearsals and performance dates. No conflicts will be considered that are not documented on the audition form. It is possible you will not be called for all rehearsals; however, unless otherwise outlined below. You must be available when called.
Accident/Incident Report (BACK TO TOP)
Links: UNH Accident/Injury/Illness Report
To be completed by injured person.
Performance Fee for Select THDA Classes (BACK TO TOP)
Links: unharts.com
Some THDA classes have a course fee that entitled them to reserve a ticket to two THDA performances. Tickets must be reserved in advance through the unharts.com website.
--Log into the website using your UNH login and password.
--Select production and date of performance you want to attend.
--Select “THDA Required” Ticket Option.
--Follow prompts to complete your order.
THDA Production Video Library (BACK TO TOP)
Links: media.unh.edu (MEDIA.UNH.EDU → GUEST (top right) → LOGIN → CHANNELS → SEARCH FOR "THDA")
Videos of past THDA productions are available to THDA majors but prior permission is required. Students should email mike.wood@unh.edu for permission to access the video library.
Hourly Employment (BACK TO TOP)
The department hires skilled students on a part-time basis per semester as technical assistants in the scene shop, costume shop and box office. Work study students are also employed as assistants in the main office. Students are occasionally hired on a temporary basis as technical crews for outside events held in the Johnson Theatre.
Stage Manager Expectations (BACK TO TOP)
Links: UNH Stage Manager’s Handbook
Student Designer Expectations (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Requirements and Responsibilities for Main Stage Production Assignments
Technical Assistant Guidelines (BACK TO TOP)
Links: THDA Technical Assistants Guidelines
PCAC Box Office (BACK TO TOP)
Links: unharts.com
VIII. SCHOLARSHIPS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Scholarship Opportunities (BACK TO TOP)
Links: THDA Scholarship Application
R.E.A.C.H. Financial Assistance (BACK TO TOP)
Links: REACH Website/Application
R.E.A.C.H. (Real Employment and Career Help) is designed to provide financial assistance for both current and recently graduated UNH THDA students who participate in internships with highly regarded theatre or dance organizations. A total of $3000 of funding support for summer internships and $5000 for academic year internships is available. Applications for summer and fall awards should be submitted no later than March 1. Applications for spring awards should be submitted no later than November 1.
Funding for Research (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research-List of Programs
The Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research offers grants to students to assist with funding research projects.
IX. OTHER SPECIAL PROGRAMS
PowerPlay Interactive Development (BACK TO TOP)
Links: PowerPlay Website
PowerPlay is a professional training and development company. We help organizations improve their work environment by facilitating difficult dialogues about interpersonal behavior. What makes us unique is that we utilize professional actors to do this. We help start conversations about often-ignored human dynamics that can affect and diminish performance. PowerPlay hires current and former students in its training programs.
X. STUDENT GROUPS
Mask & Dagger Dramatic Society (BACK TO TOP)
Links: Mask & Dagger Website
Mask and Dagger is the University of New Hampshire's student run traditional theatre organization. Students design, direct, assist in technical elements, and act in all productions.
