Technical Theatre

Getting Started

Where You Can Get A Degree

The Technical Theatre program is available at the following Alvernia University campus:

• Reading

General Notes

• A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
• Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
• Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
• Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
• Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
• A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.

Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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Program Overview

Curriculum: General Education

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

• SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (SRH 101 or HNR 160)
• COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher
• THE 105 Foundations of Theology
• PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy (MET IN MAJOR)

Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

• Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
  • Lab Science
  • Math
• Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
  • History or Political Science
  • PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON
• Culture & Language (9 credits)
  • Communication (Not COM 100 or 101)
  • World Language – 2 courses in sequence
• Creative Expressions (6 credits)
  • Literature (ENG) (Met in related area)
  • Art, Music, or Theatre (Met in related area)

Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

• Theology or Philosophy (MET IN MAJOR)
• Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level)

Curriculum: Paths of Knowledge

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines. 

Curriculum: Major Requirements

A minimum of 65 non-remedial credits are needed for graduation for the Associate of Arts degree.

Associate of Arts, Stage Technician

Major Requirements (28 credits)

• ART 245: Wood Studio
• ART 246: Metal Studio
• MUS 230: Music Technology I
• THR 120: Intro to Stage Technology Industry
• THR 134: Theatre Workshop (repeat for 2 credits)
• THR 142: Creativity Workshop
• THR 150: Introduction to Theatre or LIT 213
• THR 156: Theatrical Production & Design
• THR 233: Rigging and Lighting
• THR 244: Computer-Assisted Design
• 3 credits of an ART, MUS, or THR course as advised by Fine and Performing Arts advisor.
  
   

Bachelor of Arts majoring in Stage Technology

Major Requirements (58 credits)

• ART 245: Wood Studio
• ART 246: Metal Studio
• MUS 230: Music Technology I
• THR 120: Intro to Stage Technology Industry
• THR 134: Theatre Workshop (repeat for 2 credits)
• THR 142: Creativity Workshop
• THR 150: Introduction to Theatre or LIT 213
• THR 155: Introduction to Acting
• THR 156: Theatrical Production & Design
• THR 233: Rigging and Lighting
• THR 244: Computer-Assisted Design
• THR 320: Technical Direction/Production Management I
• THR 355: Theatre History I or THR 356: Theatre History II
• THR 357: Behind the Curtain (repeat for 6 credits)
• THR 402
• THR 420
• THR 434: Senior Production Workshop
• 3 credits of an ART, MUS, or THR course as advised by Fine and Performing Arts advisor
• 6 credits of a STEAM (EGR or MUS) course at the 300-400 level as advised by your Fine and Performing Arts advisor

Accreditation Statements

• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Experiential Learning

Through an innovative partnership with the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Alvernia students have access to GoggleWorks studios and instructors, along with Alvernia faculty. Students in these programs will also work in area venues and studios.

Career Outlook

After earning a degree in Technical Theatre, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

Associate of Arts, Stage Technician

• Studio technician
• Theatre technician
• Audio technician
• Grip
• Lighting technician
• Gaffer
• Boom operator
• Stage carpenter
• Stage welder
• Fly operator
• Stage rigger

Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Director/Production Manager

• Technical director
• Producer
• Production management
• Supply chain management
• Project manager
• Building contracting management

Opportunities for Majors

Alvernia University Theatre Club

This club serves as the social and service adjunct to Alvernia Theatre – an academic Theatre program. The Theatre Club provides students with opportunities for service, activities, and a place that honors self-expression through studentoriginated projects. All of the members of the Alvernia community are invited to participate.
 

Alvernia Chorus

The Alvernia Chorus is the university’s choral group. Under the direction of Jennifer Michalik, the Alvernia Chorus presents a major concert each semester. Singers also have the opportunity to perform in smaller recitals, programs, and masses. Students interested in theatre performance can greatly benefit from enhancing their singing ability.
 

The Zephyrus

The Zephyrus is the literary magazine published every other spring. It contains original creative work — poetry, fiction, essays,
photography, artwork — by Alvernia students, staff and faculty. Department faculty serve as advisors and members of Sigma Tau
Delta act as editors.

Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Technical Theatre programs, contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to program director Nathan Thomas at 610-796-8343 or nathan.thomas@alvernia.edu.