Theater BA: Integrated Studies Emphasis

Integrated Studies is designed to be an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Theater. Incoming students interested in cross-training within the major or in having the maximum freedom to pursue a variety of curricular interests while in college should consider applying to this emphasis.

There is no directed sequence of courses to take beyond the required courses needed to graduate, which makes this emphasis best suited for students who are looking for a broad exploration of their interests. Students in Integrated Studies may customize their electives to fit their intent for studying theater at UCLA TFT, though there are some identified elective course pathways in the IS curriculum, each consisting of a cluster of 3-6 specialized courses:

IS Curricular Pathways

• Theater & Performance Studies (TAPS)
• Playwriting
• Directing
• Teaching Artistry
• Theater & Emerging Technologies

 IS emphasis students are also eligible to take electives in stage management and producing. In practice, most Integrated Studies students opt to focus on one or two of the pathways above while supplementing their electives with selected courses from other pathways. This flexibility in the Integrated Studies curriculum benefits students who have an interdisciplinary mindset and want to develop a diverse skillset. Students can meet with specific faculty advisors for guidance in composing their curriculum.

Some classes in other emphases in the BA program are open to Integrated Studies students by instructor consent. However, some elective emphasis classes in acting and musical theater are subject to a competitive audition.

More information about the Playwriting pathway: Students with a specific interest in playwriting may enroll in Theater Arts 30/Dramatic Writing, offered to Department of Theater students in their first and second years. In alternate years beginning in their sophomore or junior year, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of forms and approaches to writing for performance through the study of new plays as literature and through a sequence of four playwriting workshops which require writing samples and instructor consent for enrollment.

More information about the Directing pathway:  Students with a specific interest in directing may enroll in Theater 15 and Theater 160. In alternate years beginning in their sophomore or junior year, students can continue the directing pathway in three advanced specialization classes which require an interview and instructor consent for enrollment. Students in the directing sequence will be taught and exposed to a variety of directing genres and approaches.