Performing Arts, BA

Introduction

The Performing Arts programs offer a comprehensive curriculum in a variety of disciplines encompassing the Performing Arts (Dance, Music, and Theatre). Courses normally require a high degree of student participation, with the expectation that all students will demonstrate their assimilation of theory and technique through performance, exhibition, and portfolio.

The Arts faculty and students produce a variety of curricular and co-curricular projects designed to enhance the cultural and intellectual environment of the University. Program majors are required to participate in artistic activities related to their area of concentration. The faculty works closely with individual students in their area of specialization to develop a strong foundation of ideas, adept execution, and advanced problem-solving skills. 

Program Organization

Students concentrating in performing arts are required to:

• Choose a major in a discipline.

• Pursue specialized studies in that discipline, which will culminate in a capstone project, public presentations, or a written project. To elect a major in the Arts program, a student must select a concentration.

• Performing Arts: B.A.: Dance/Performance,  Dance/Studio Operations, Dance/Pre-Movement Sciences, and Dance/Pre-Physical Therapy, Theatre: Acting, Theatre: Producing for Stage & Screen, Theatre: Creative Project Development, Instrumental Music Studies, and Vocal Music Studies. 

Performing Arts Minors—Students who choose to minor in the Arts should refer to the specific requirements for each respective area. 

Admission to the Program

The program is open to any Stockton student interested in studying performing arts. The prospective major must consult with faculty members in the desired concentration before declaring a major. Performing Arts majors should be prepared to present an audition or portfolio for review to be admitted to the program.

Special Facilities

Students have available an electronic piano lab; practice rooms; and two dance studios. . There is also the Performing Arts Center complex, which houses a 550-seat main theatre, an experimental theatre, and scene and costume shops, as well as the Campus Center Theatre and Alton Auditorium. 

Admission to Performing Arts

Dance: Prospective first-year and transfer students in Dance must attend and audition to pursue either a concentration or a minor in Dance. Video audition options for Dance are available.

Music students, admission to the program is by audition.  The audition will determine ensemble and private instruction placement.  At the time of the audition, an assessment will be given to determine the student’s placement in the music theory sequence. Incoming students wishing to concentrate in Instrumental or Vocal Music are encouraged to apply by audition for the Woodruff Foundation Scholarship (instrumental).

Theatre: Prospective Theatre students are encouraged to audition prior to enrollment, or to participate in the Theatre production program and lower-level courses in their first semesters, in preparation for the audition or portfolio review with the Theatre faculty. Further information is available on the Stockton University Theatre website and Instagram. Students without a portfolio with an interest in specific concentration should contact the appropriate Program Chair.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Performing Arts, the student must satisfactorily complete 64 credits in required program/cognate studies, as well as the 64-credit General Studies and At-Some-Distance requirements, for a total of 128 credits.

In Dance, Music, and Theatre, a periodic review and evaluation process, including individual portfolio review, will be administered, assessing the student’s career goals and potential in the arts. Students concentrating in Theatre are expected to contribute to every theatre production, regardless of whether they are receiving credit via practicum or not.

Performing Arts Concentration

The Performing Arts concentration encompasses the disciplines of Dance, Music, and Theatre Arts. The primary goals are to provide depth of knowledge, skills development, technique, theory, and performance in an environment where the practical application of Performing Arts principles is developed and reinforced. Studies in each discipline provide a core foundation of introductory courses, skills development in technique and applied performance, and a depth of knowledge through courses in theory and frameworks. A grade of “C” or better is required for all program and cognate courses. 

In Dance, Music, and Theatre students are placed in levels based upon current skill level and learning needs.  However, in Dance, most students will repeat technique levels at least twice.  Moving forward in levels is contingent upon work in the current level and approval from the Dance faculty.  Each concentration in Dance has specific level requirements for a student to complete the degree. 

Specific courses may have varying credit hour requirements within certain concentrations or may need to be repeated for full credit. 

Please consult with the Program Chair and visit the program website or see the approved concentration courses as outlined in Degree Works web-based tool in the goStockton portal for full details about curriculum. 

Notes: completion of the above sequence of courses does not guarantee acceptance into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. 

Note: Please consult the Doctor of Physical Therapy Section of the Bulletin for the complete list of admission requirements. 

Note: Professionals practicing in the areas of Dance Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy are required to hold graduate degrees/certification in their respective fields. Students should research the pre-requisites of the graduate programs in which they are interested. Completion of a Pre-Movement Science or a Pre-Physical Therapy concentration does not guarantee acceptance into a graduate program. 

Music

Music encompasses three concentrations: Instrumental Music Studies and Vocal Music Studies and Music Education. The primary goals of the program are to provide depth of cultural and theoretical knowledge, technical development, teaching pedagogy and performance experience in an environment that promotes artistry and individual creativity. Each concentration begins with a Core foundation followed by a coherent sequence of courses that focuses on developing the above skills. 

Students who concentrate in music must pass a proficiency test in reading music upon entering the program. Otherwise, either GAH 1242 Fundamentals of Music OR MUSC/GEN 1651 Beginning Piano or the equivalent is required. Credits earned by completing GAH 1242 and/or GEN 1651 help fulfill the General Studies requirement and do not count toward the 64-credit music major. A grade of C or higher is required in all program courses. 

Regardless of the Vocal or Instrumental concentration, students may choose 16 credits in any combination from the following courses. Students may also choose to repeat a particular ensemble up to 8 times for a total of 16 credits. 

Internships

Students interested in pursuing internship opportunities should contact their preceptor for further details. 

Theatre

Stockton Theatre offers three major concentrations for students: Creative Project Development, Producing and Management for Stage & Screen, and Acting, as well as a Theatre Minor.  Additionally, Theatre jointly offers a Literature/Theatre concentration through the Literature Department.  Curricula are available in Degree Works web based. Please more info about our program on the Stockton University Theatre website (stockton.edu/theatre) and our Instagram page @StocktonTheatre. 

Graduation with Distinction in the Performing Arts

A Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in Performing Arts, may be awarded to the eligible student graduating with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in program- cognate courses; who receives no F or NC grades in program or cognate courses; who has shown outstanding commitment to the program; and, where required, who produces an outstanding Senior Project with a grade of A. The award of distinction will be conferred to eligible students only by a majority vote of this program’s faculty.

Minors are available in Dance, Music, and Theatre

Full degree curriculum and transfer audits for the program can be explored using the Degree Works web-based tool. Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the website. 

Full details about the curriculum for each Performing Arts concentration can be accessed on the Studies in the Arts website.