GUIDE Main Department Contact: Dina Canup Fine Arts 302, Academic Advisor for Theatre and Film Official advising appointments are made through SAGE but she has a lot of drop-in availability during the first week of classes for drop/add, and usually has a drop in hour on most Friday afternoons during fall/spring semester. Get on the major email listserv Emai Clay Chastain to subscribe; let him know if you are a theatre major or a film major. New student info session the day before fall classes begin - mark your calendar We'll be having a new student info session and tour the day before start of classes to help you learn your way around the department, meet fellow students who share the same interest area(s), and be ready for fall semester. Start time is 1:00pm in the Fine Arts Lobby Sunday, August 16, 2026. We will also have a departmental-wide Welcome Party in the Fine Arts Theatre Thursday, August 20 at 5:30pm (more details to follow). Film Majors: TAKE FILM 2120 ASAP and see other film program information here Film production emphasis? Your advisor will recommend additional classes along with FILM 2120. Theatre Majors: See the suggested pathway below. Join a student club Thalian-Blackfriars Dramatic Club @ThalianBlackfriars Black Theatrical Ensemble @UGABTE Next Act musical theatre group @UGANextAct Improv and Sketch Comedy: @ImprovAthens, @Sharkwing_Comedy US Institute of Theatre Technology, UGA chapter @USITTUGA Ars Gratia Artis @agatheater The Tribute film production group Film Club @filmclubuga CineClub CineVoice Recommended Courses for First Semester Theatre Majors: THEA 2500: Theatre as Discipline and Profession - all new majors should take this their first fall semester. Choose 1-2 based on main area of interest: THEA 3500: Foundations of Acting THEA 3290 (or 3291H): Script Analysis THEA 3300: Foundations of Entertainment Design THEA 3330: Costume Craft THEA 3340: Stagecraft THEA 3350: Lighting Tech Or your advisor may have other recommendations Get Involved in UGA Theatre productions too! Audition for the UGA Theatre season - and see all the shows! Auditions are in August & October | Production Website (Fall auditions usually occur the Thursday-Sunday after drop/add has ended) Musical Theatre Performance Certificate auditions will also be this fall; see the link for dates and additional information. Interested in crew/tech/production side of theatre? Consider Applied Drama credit and/or contact Tina Hantula for the costume shop or Ali Hooks for the scene shop. Suggested Pathway for Theatre Majors You have flexibility, but keep in mind: Not every class is offered every semester. Take THEA 2500 the first semester that you can (usually fall). THEA 3290 and 3340 are recommended for taking as early as you can as well. The sooner you complete required courses the better if you wish to graduate on time. Especially if you are double majoring in something else too. However, some elective courses are not offered regularly, so you may wish to prioritize some electives if you might not get another chance to take them. Do not put off THEA 2040 & 2050 (Applied Drama), especially if you are often cast in productions. Aim to complete these requirements before your fourth year. If you are strongly interested in acting, take THEA 3500 and then THEA 5010 ASAP. If you are pursuing an area of emphasis, consult that area head for suggestions to start making progress in the area early. Ignore classes numbered 6000 and up. Those are graduate-level courses. Remember you must make a C or higher in all theatre major requirements and theatre electives. First Semester THEA 2500 THEA 3500 if interested in acting THEA 3290 &/or THEA 3300 Second Semester THEA 3290 & THEA 3340 if not already taken THEA 5010 if interested in acting; design elective if interested in design THEA 2040 if possible/if crew spots available Year Two THEA 2040 and/or 2050 THEA 5600 or 5110 THEA 3290, 3340 and 3300 if not already taken THEA electives THEA 2050 THEA 4210, 4220, or 4230 Year Three THEA 4210, 4220, or 4230 if not already taken THEA 2060 THEA 5600 or 5110 if not already taken Additional theatre history/lit if not already taken Year Four - Remaining theatre electives and any required courses not already taken Some Words of Advice Take your time in layering on additional theatre activities. Just pick one this semester (ex: if you’re cast in a UGA Theatre show, that’s plenty, or get involved with one student group). Don’t add additional activities until a show is over. Allow time to get used to college/UGA. You need to do well in your classes, especially in your first semester, whether you’re a new first-year or a transfer student. GO TO CLASS consistently regardless of attendance policy. Get to know your professors and remember they have office hours for you. Don’t try to do something with every show or group that you can while neglecting either your classwork or your health. If you needed any disability accommodations before college, you need them now so register with testing and accommodations right away (though they will not be the same as high school). Work hard, have fun, be kind to yourself. Contact Dina if you need help finding resources. Plus, here’s some listening/watching that could be really helpful to you before you get to campus: 17 things you need to do before starting college Podcast link YouTube link Demystifying student disability services in college Podcast link YouTube link The data behind college success and happiness Podcast link YouTube link These are all from Harlan Cohen, who also wrote a great guide to college that some of you may already have. He’s got content that could be helpful to your parents, too.
