Importance of an early start:

This major is not highly course intensive or highly sequential with the exception of a few requirements (THEA 61 series, THEA 160 and THEA 185). Students may begin taking courses toward the major in the first year, and are encouraged to do so, but it is not required. Students who enter as Frosh should meet with the program advisor by the beginning of their second year to create an academic plan that demonstrates a path to graduation.

Qualification requirements and/or prerequisites for the major:

Review Major Qualification Requirements in the General Catalog.

Frosh who intend to pursue this major should do the following things prior to the beginning of fall term...

• Students who have taken college-level transferable classes that may apply to the requirements of this major should email unofficial transcripts as early as possible to theater-ugradadv@ucsc.edu,  the program’s academic advisor, for review.
• Students should meet with the program’s academic advisor as early as possible to gain a clear understanding of the degree requirements, the non-standard enrollment procedures for certain required courses, and to create a customized  academic plan.

...and should take these courses their first term:

Any of the following, according to your interests: 

• THEA 10: Introduction to Design (THEA 10 is the prerequisite for further progress in most technical/design courses),
• THEA 20: Introduction to Acting (for students with little or no prior experience in acting), 
• THEA 21: Acting Studio 1 (for students with some acting experience who are comfortable auditioning),
• THEA 61A: Ancient and Medieval Drama,
• any of the following lower division practice-based dance classes:
  • THEA 30 Intro to Dance Theory & Technique,
  • THEA 31A Dance Studio I: Asian or Asian Diasporic Practice,
  • THEA 31B Dance Studio I: Ballet, THEA 31C Dance Studio I,
  • THEA 36 Intro to Dance Composition,
  • THEA 37 African Dance,
  •  THEA 80Z Indian Dance

Special enrollment procedures:

Enroll in classes during your enrollment appointment time listed in your MyUCSC portal. NOTE: Some courses are admission-by-audition or require permission of the instructor to enroll. The Schedule of Classes should note these in the Class Notes section of the course, and you may contact the department for more information on classes with these enrollment restrictions: theater-ugradadv@ucsc.edu.

Sample Academic Plan:

Review Sample Academic Plan in the General Catalog.

Other Information:

Students are highly encouraged to make an academic plan/study plan and update it at least once a year together with the program’s  academic advisor. Advising Week (quarterly dates listed in the Academic and Administrative Calendar) is an ideal time to meet with advisors. This department offers advising appointments through Navigate Slug Success.

Links to Review:

Program Description (Catalog)
Program Website
Advising for the Theater Arts major and minor, and the dance minor
Theater Arts Undergraduate Handbook

Advisor Contact Information:

Moon Rinaldo

Theater Arts Undergraduate Academic Advisor
theater-ugradadv@ucsc.edu

Advising appointments for matriculated/current students are made through Navigate Slug Success. Students who do not yet have access to Slug Success are invited to email the advisor for a Zoom or in-person appointment: theater-ugradadv@ucsc.edu