RICE PROGRAM IN THEATRE

The Minor

Theatre Minor

The theatre minor combines practice with critical theory and performance methodologies to offer students a rich and broad curriculum. Theatre minors take classes in stagecraft (costume construction or theatre technology), acting or design, history of theatre, and production crew.

Theatre minors are strongly encouraged to explore theatre-related courses offered in other departments that may enrich their minor, such as: philosophy, anthropology, science, history, cultural studies, language writing, comparative studies, etc. Students should speak with their faculty advisor prior to enrolling. 

Pride & Prejustice
Pride & Prejustice

The Rice Theatre Program produces two stage productions per year (one fall and one spring). Theatre minors participate in the productions to receive hands on experience as an actor, designer or technician. Our program also encourages and supports our students to participate in local theatre companies and venues through volunteering, internships, and fellowships. Our students have internships with such companies as the Alley Theatre, Houston Shakespeare Festival, and Theatre Under the Stars, among others. 

We also offer an opportunity for those seeking an immersive theatre experience at The National Theatre Institute. The National Theatre Institute is the educational arm of the renowned Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. The program is designed to complement a liberal arts education with three distinct study-away programs, all offering rigorous, risk-taking theater exploration. The semester long program at the O'Neill Center in Connecticut, the NTI Moscow Art Theater semester and the seven-week Theatermakers summer program confront the serious theater student with opportunities to discover new creative possibilities. Distinguished master teaching artists guide the classes in courses in acting, directing, design, playwriting, stage combat, voice and movement. The program will accept academic work completed at the National Theater Institute as transfer credit to fulfill minor requirements (following university transfer credit guidelines). 

Requirements for the Minor in Theatre

Students pursuing the minor in Theatre must complete: 

  • A minimum of 6 courses (18 credit hours) to satisfy minor requirements.
  • A minimum of 3 courses (9 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above. 
  • A maximum of 2 courses (6 credit hours) from study abroad or transfer credit. Policies and guidelines for transfer credit may be found in the Rice General Announcements.

In certain instances, courses taken outside minor requirements may be substituted to complete the minor upon approval of the program’s academic advisor, or where applicable, the program's director of undergraduate studies. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by the minor's Official Certifier.) Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.

For current course and credit hour requirements, for the minor in theatre, please see the Rice General Announcements.