​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Program Description

As a student of theatre and interpretation at CMU, you’ll explore performance, design and technical opportunities inside and outside the classroom. You’ll have access to scene and costume shops, as well as rehearsal rooms. Dedicated faculty members go the extra mile to help you develop your talents. You’ll expand your experience by taking part in University Theatre, Studio Theatre Series and CMU Summer Theatre.​​

Put Your Degree to Work

For More Information

Visit the theatre and dance website​ or contact:

Department of Theatre and Dance
Moore Hall 133
Phone: 989-774-7710​

Program Overview

The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.

(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)

Theatre & Interpretation Major

Total: 43 semester hours
Core Courses I
(18 hours)
Note: TAI 170 also counts for UP Group I-B.
TAI 170
Oral Interpretation of Literature
3
TAI 177
Stagecraft and Stage Lighting
3
TAI 180
First-Year Theatre Seminar
2
TAI 182
Acting I
3
TAI 278
Stage Makeup
3
TAI 280
Script Analysis
3
TAI 499
Senior Capstone
1
Core Courses II
(3 hours)
Theatre History and Literature Select 3 hours from the following:
Note: TAI 574 or 575 can be counted for elective options below but may only be counted once for this major.
TAI 574
History of Drama and Theatre I
3
TAI 575
History of Drama and Theatre II
3
Electives I
(3 hours)
Theatre History and Literature Select 3 hours from the following:
TAI 377
Costuming I
3
TAI 380
Musical Theatre History
3
TAI 399
Theatre and the Holocaust
3
TAI 569
History of American Theatre
3
TAI 574
History of Drama and Theatre I
3
TAI 575
History of Drama and Theatre II
3
TAI 583
Women in the Contemporary American Theatre
3
TAI 586WI
Playwriting
3
TAI 588
Contemporary Theatre
3
Electives II
(9 hours)
Intermediate Electives Select 9 hours from the following:
Notes: TAI 399 also counts for UP Group IV-B. TAI 178, 476, 477 may only count for 3 credits (each).
TAI 178
Special Topics in Theatre
3-9
TAI 277
Stage Management
3
TAI 282
Acting II
3
TAI 300
Improvisation
3
TAI 302
Voice and Diction
3
TAI 352
Music Theatre Scene Study
3
TAI 371
Readers Theatre
3
TAI 373
Oral Interpretation for Children
3
TAI 376
Interpretation of Drama
3
TAI 377
Costuming I
3
TAI 378
Stage Combat
3
TAI 379
Acting for the Camera
3
TAI 380
Musical Theatre History
3
TAI 383
Voice for the Actor
3
TAI 384
Movement for the Actor
3
TAI 385
Audition Techniques
3
TAI 399
Theatre and the Holocaust
3
TAI 476
Lighting Design
3-6
TAI 477
Scene Design
3-6
TAI 478
Theatre Management
3
TAI 481
Directing
3
TAI 569
History of American Theatre
3
TAI 574
History of Drama and Theatre I
3
TAI 575
History of Drama and Theatre II
3
TAI 579
Costume Design and Construction
3
TAI 583
Women in the Contemporary American Theatre
3
TAI 585
Creative Dramatics
3
TAI 586WI
Playwriting
3
TAI 588
Contemporary Theatre
3
Electives III
(3 hours)
Advanced Electives Select 3 hours from the following:
TAI 382
Acting III
3
TAI 452
Music Theatre Performance
3
TAI 518
Advanced Make-up
3
TAI 570
Oral Interpretation of Prose Fiction
3
TAI 571
Oral Interpretation of Poetry
3
TAI 573
Seminar: Interpretative Reading
3
TAI 577
Special Topics in Technical Theatre
1-9
TAI 578
Special Topics in Theatre
1-9
TAI 580
Dramatic Theory and Criticism
3
TAI 581
Advanced Directing
3
TAI 587
Irish Theatre and Drama
3
TAI 590
Summer Repertory Theatre
3
Electives IV
(4 hours)
Theatre Studio Electives Select 4 hours from the following. No course may be repeated for more than 2 hours.
TAI 305
Studio: Acting/Performance
1-4
TAI 306
Studio: Directing
1-4
TAI 307
Studio: Movement
1-4
TAI 308
Studio: Script Creation
1-4
TAI 309
Studio: Stage Management
1-4
TAI 310
Studio: Sound
1-4
TAI 311
Studio: Properties
1-4
TAI 312
Studio: Scenery Construction and Rigging
1-4
TAI 313
Studio: Scenery Design
1-4
TAI 314
Studio: Lighting
1-4
TAI 315
Studio: Lighting Design
1-4
TAI 316
Studio: Technical Direction
1-4
TAI 317
Studio: Costuming
1-4
TAI 318
Studio: Wardrobe Management
1-4
TAI 319
Studio: Makeup
1-4
TAI 320
Studio: Theatre Management
1-4
TAI 321
Studio: Dramaturgy
1-4
Electives V
(3 hours)
Select 3 hours of TAI courses in consultation with an advisor. Courses can be chosen from electives above but may only count once on the major.