FAQs answered by the ARHU Office of Student Affairs

• What is Advising, Who is my advisor, When can I see them?
• When do I have advising blocks?
• What is the foreign language requirement?
• How many upper level credits do I need?
• Can I take a course pass/fail or audit?
• How do I declare a double major?
• Does the University accept my AP credits?
• Where do I find out about Study Abroad programs?
• What is the difference between Honors, Honors Humanities, Gemstone, and College Park Scholars?
• What is a senior audit and when do I do this?
• Can I get permission to exceed the credit limit?
• Can I get permission to exceed the repeat credit limit?
• Can I get permission for a time conflict?
• Can I gain permission to take a graduate level course?
• How can I get permission to take a course at another institution?
  

When are theatre courses taught?

There is a specific rotation of courses in the Department of Theatre. Check the Undergraduate Handbook for the page about Theatre Course Availability.

When are scholarships offered?

The Department of Theatre has two kinds of scholarships -- the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) scholarship and the Departmental and Theate Patrons Fund (TPA) scholarships. The TPA scholarships are allocated most semesters and are awarded for service to the Department. When they are available, an announcement is placed in the weekly e-newsletter. Application instructions and form are posted on the Theatre website. Awards are decided based on a full faculty vote. Recipients are presented with awards at the opening reception to the main season productions in the Kay Theatre each semester. The Department of Theatre holds 17 renewable CAPA awards. They become available when a CAPA student graduates, declines the offer or does not meet the guidelines. These awards are presented for excellence in academics and performance or design/production. CAPA auditions are announced in the weekly e-newsletter. The application instructions and form are also posted on the Theatre website. For more information, see: http://www.theatre.umd.edu/Undergraduate/auditions.html

What is THET 479 and how do I register for it?

THET 479 Production Practicum is required for all Theatre Majors. This 1-credit course must be taken three times in three different areas. THET 479 is offered each semester. It is not a traditional course, but rather credit for doing a technical theatre position for one of our main season productions. THET 479 requires a contract with a member of the CSPAC staff and permission to register from a Theatre faculty member. An electronic stamp is required in order to register. Registrations for THET 479 should be completed prior to the final add/drop date, but occasionally a student is signed up for a position late in the semester. Information about THET 479 and instructions to register can be found on this page: http://www.theatre.umd.edu/Undergraduate/Advising/279and479.html

Can I receive credit for being cast in a main season production?

Students who are cast or understudy for main season productions may register forTHET 429 credit. Although THET 429 credits are not required in the Undergraduate Curriculum, you should take advantage of this opportunity to earn academic credit for your work as Supporting Courses. Actors receive two credits, and understudies receive one credit. If the director is a faculty member, you register under his or her section number. If the director is a guest artist, you will be notified on the cast reflector as to the section to register under.

How do I audition for courses that require auditions?

Auditions are held about two weeks before the pre-registration period for the next semester. Audition dates and times are announced in the weekly e-newsletter and on the callboard. Requirements will be listed. Usually, acting class auditions for require a one-minute contemporary monologue from a play written between the 1960s and the present. Please select something in your age and range. Auditions for Musical Theatre Workshop require 32 bars of a musical theatre song. Check the page on Auditioning in the Handbook for tips on successfully auditioning.

When should I waitlist?

A good rule of thumb is that you may get into a course for which your number on the waitlist is a figure that is within 10% of the course's total capacity. For instance, if the course has a total of 250 seats, your chances are good if you're in the first 25 people on the waitlist. Or if you're within the first 3 or 4 waitlisted for a course with 35 seats. Or if you're within the first 1 or 2 for a course with 12 seats. If you're planning a schedule that includes courses for which you will be waitlisted, you must be certain you understand and follow the waitlist procedure.

When and how can I do an Internship?

Internships earn credit under THET 286 Experiential Learning I (sophomore standing) or THET 386 Experiential Learning (junior standing). Click here for Internship Information and the Internship Contract.