Theatre Arts Administration
The Theatre Arts Administration program is intended for students who express an interest in and an inclination toward the production and managerial aspects in the arts and entertainment industry. The program is based on the philosophy that a successful career in arts management and leadership requires knowledge of modern business practices coupled with a comprehensive background in arts. The focus of this area of concentration is directed toward the study of courses and scholarship and activism in the arts, business and communications. The premise of this program is to imbue in each student key characteristics that global arts and entertainment professionals exemplify: creativity, agility, innovation, emotional intelligence, business savvy, and fiscal responsibility. A major emphasis in this program is to prepare multi-hyphenate students for an ever-changing job market and prepare them for being effective leaders in a changing society.
Welcome to the Bison Family!
Prof. Pat Parks, Area Coordinator
We have a mandate to graduate the next generation of leaders in the theatre first and foremost as well as give way to leaders beyond the theatre stage in the wider Arts economy and ecosystem.
The Theatre Arts Administration program is intended for students who express an interest in and an inclination toward the production and managerial aspects in the arts and entertainment industry. The program is based on the philosophy that a successful career in Arts Management and Leadership requires knowledge of modern business practices coupled with a comprehensive background in arts. The focus of this area of concentration is directed toward the study of courses and scholarship in the arts, business and communications. The premise of this program is to imbue in each student key characteristics that world class arts and entertainment professionals exemplify: creativity, agility, innovation, emotional intelligence, business savvy, and fiscal responsibility. A major emphasis in this program is to ready students for an ever-changing job market and prepare them for being effective leaders in a changing society.
Admission to this area of concentration is by interview and supporting materials. See full admission requirements here.
The program requires the student to have a full appreciation of theory, research, heuristic approach and practical application. Students must maintain a commitment to scholarship. Students will be required to perform at a high level in a wide range of areas related to arts management and leadership. The program produces students that have a proficiency in core competencies that are compulsory in the arts and entertainment arena. Courses in this program are designed to introduce, educate and train students in various topics pertaining to the skills needed, tools required, and duties performed by arts administrators.
IDEAL STUDENT
Our ideal student is
- Innovative
- Agile Learner
- Critical Thinker
- Strategic Planner
- Team Oriented
- Fiscally Conscious and Responsible
Students should exemplify
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Empathy
- Humility
- Resilience
- Vision
- Influence
- Professional Communication
Theatre Arts Administration Course Curriculum Scheme
FRESHMAN YEAR
FALL SEMESTER
3- THTA-090 INTRO TO THEATRE MGMT I (Fall Course Only)
3- THTT-101 STAGECRAFT I
3- INTRO TO DESIGN
(Choose One of the Following):
3- ENGLW-101 RHETORIC, INQUIRY & CRITICAL WRITING
ENGLW-102 EXP. WRITING & LIT.
3- THFD-080 PLAY ANALYSIS
1- FRSM-002 FRESH. SEMINAR**
TOTAL CREDITS- 16
SPRING SEMESTER
3- THTA-091 INTRO TO THEATRE MGMT II (Spring Course Only)
3- THTT-102 STAGECRAFT II
3- THTA-156 STAGE MANAGEMENT^
3- ENGW-103 PERSUASIVE WRITING & RESEARCH
(Choose One of the Following):
3- THTT-051 BASIC STAGE LIGHTING
3- THTT-052 BASIC STAGECRAFT (Spring Semester Only)
3- THTT-053 COSTUME FOR THEATRE
3- THTT-xxx STAGE MAKE-UP/LAB
TOTAL CREDITS- 15
^ALL THEATRE ARTS ADMINISTRATION MAJORS ARE REQUIRED TO SERVE AS AN ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER and/or A STAGE MANAGER AT LEAST ONCE PRIOR TO GRADUATION.
**REQUIRED FOR NEW ENTRANTS ONLY, HOWEVER, ALL OTHERS MUST SATISFY THIS CREDIT HOUR REQUIREMENT WITH AN ELECTIVE.
***Course offered in the SPRING SEMESTER ONLY.
NOTE: Many of the courses listed have laboratory hours. Laboratory hours allow for practical application of the theoretical approach addressed in both classroom exercise and lectures. Lab hours vary depending on the expectations and/or demands of the class/production. All students should anticipate committing additional time outside of classroom instruction for Lab work.
SOPHOMORE YEAR
FALL SEMESTER
3- THAC-020 INTRO TO ACTING FOR NON-MAJORS
1- THTA-001 THEATRE ARTS ADMIN LAB I
3- THTA- 212 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
2- THDN-300 DANCE FOR NON-MAJORS (Fall Course Only)
3- ECON-180 STATISTICS I
(Choose One of the Following):
3- THFD-180 THEATRE HISTORY I
THDN- 029 DANCE HISTORY I
TOTAL CREDITS- 15
SPRING SEMESTER
3- THTA-208 FINANCE MANAGEMENT
1- THTA-002 THEATRE ARTS ADMIN LAB II
(Choose One of the Following):
3- THFD-181 THEATRE HISTORY II
THDN- 030 DANCE HISTORY II
3- ENGL-009 TECHNICAL WRITING I: PRE-PROF
3- HUCO-101 PRINCIPLES OF SPEECH
3- MATH-006 COLLEGE ALGEBRA I
RESTRICTED ELECTIVE*
TOTAL CREDITS- 16
***Course offered in the SPRING SEMESTER ONLY.
NOTE: Many of the courses listed have laboratory hours. Laboratory hours allow for practical application of the theoretical approach addressed in both classroom exercise and lectures. Lab hours vary depending on the expectations and/or demands of the class/production. All students should anticipate committing additional time outside of classroom instruction for Lab work.
*RESTRICTED ELECTIVES:
HUCO-410 Conflict Mgmt & Negotiation Strategy
JOUR-206 Intro. To Advertising
THFD-081 Play Reading
THTA-206 Entrepreneurship in the Entertainment Industry
THTA-096 The Producer's Workshop
JUNIOR YEAR
FALL SEMESTER
3- THAC-030 BEGINNING DIRECTING I
1- THTA-003 THEATRE ARTS ADMIN LAB III
3- SLMC-210 INTRO TO STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
3- THTA- 211 ARTS & INNOVATION
3- THTA-094 PRODUCTION MGMT
(Choose One of the Following):
THTT-051 BASIC STAGE LIGHTING
THTT-052 BASIC STAGECRAFT
THTT-053 COSTUME FOR THEATRE
THTT-xxx STAGE MAKE-UP/LAB
TOTAL CREDITS- 16
SPRING SEMESTER
3- LEADING IN A CHANGING SOCIETY
1- THTA-004 THEATRE ARTS ADMIN LAB IV
3- ELECTIVE+
3- ARTH-161 ART APPRECIATION
3- RTVF-231 INTRO TO MEDIA PROD.
(Choose One of the Following):
3- SOCI-020 INTRO TO SOC PSYCH
3- PSYC-050 INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY
TOTAL CREDITS- 16
+Honors Students are required to take:
THFD-186 – Directed Study
++THFD-187 – Honors Thesis
*RESTRICTED ELECTIVES:
HUCO-410 Conflict Mgmt & Negotiation Strategy
JOUR-206 Intro. To Advertising
THFD-081 Play Reading
THTA-206 Entrepreneurship in the Entertainment Industry
THTA-096 The Producer's Workshop
SENIOR YEAR
FALL SEMESTER
3- THTA-191 FUNDRAISING FOR THE ARTS (Fall Course Only)
3- THTA-209 DRAMA INTERNSHIP
3- MUSI-032 INTRO TO ENTERTAINMENT LAW
2- THTA-005 THEATRE ARTS ADMIN LAB V
3- ELECTIVE*/ HONORS COURSE+
TOTAL CREDITS- 14
SPRING SEMESTER
3- MUTP-100 BLACKS IN THE ARTS
3- THFD-190 SEMINAR IN THEATRE ARTS ADMINISTRATION (Exit Competency Course)
3 - RESTRICTED ELECTIVE/HONORS COURSE++
(Choose One of the Following):
3- THTA-089 CRITICAL WRITING AND AESTHETICS
3- PHIL-055 INTRO TO PHILOSOPHY
3- THFD-081 PLAY READING
TOTAL CREDITS- 12
Additional Information
+Honors Students are required to take:
THFD-186 – Directed Study
++THFD-187 Honors Thesis
*RESTRICTED ELECTIVES:
HUCO-410 Conflict Mgmt & Negotiation Strategy
JOUR-206 Intro. To Advertising
THFD-081 Play Reading
THTA-206 Entrepreneurship in the Entertainment Industry
THTA-096 The Producer's Workshop
****JUNIOR OR SENIOR LEVEL STUDENT ONLY OR WITH CONSENT OF COURSE INSTRUCTOR.
NOTE: STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS FOR GRADUATION. IF A COURSE IS NOT OFFERED, THE STUDENT MUST MAKE-UP THE HOURS IN COURSES APPROVED BY THE COORDINATOR. STUDENTS MUST FOLLOW THE CURRICULUM SCHEME AS PRINTED OR THEY MAY JEOPARDIZE THEIR GRADUATING WITHIN A 4-YEAR TIME PERIOD.
WASSERMAN MUSIC AND HOWARD UNIVERSITY
WASSERMAN MUSIC AND HOWARD UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCE 2024 MUSIC BUSINESS INSIGHTS PROGRAM
Following the success of their 2023 collaborative music business education program, leading global talent agency Wasserman Music and foremost Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Howard University today announced their 2024 Music Business Insights Program, to be held at Howard University's Washington, DC campus beginning today, January 29th.
The 2024 Wasserman Music x Howard University Music Business Insights Program, created to provide guidance, support, and inspiration to students seeking careers in all corners of the music industry, will encompass class takeovers and curriculum contributions for 30-60 participating students who will engage directly with leaders from across the entertainment business. This year's speakers include top execs from Wasserman Music, Live Nation, Atlantic Records, and Roc Nation and award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Cautious Clay.
"We are thrilled to return to Howard University with an incredible new slate of speakers and leaders from across the entertainment industry and the opportunity to empower another group of outstanding students who have the potential to help shape the future of the music business," said Denise Melanson, Senior Director of Social Impact for Wasserman.
This year's program will cover subjects across the full spectrum of the music business, including artist management, tour booking and promotion, music publishing, live event management, marketing, and more, with guest lectures from influential entertainment executives, lively in-class panels with top music business professionals, potential internship placement opportunities at Wasserman, and a "Warner Days Takeover" on-campus event during Howard's annual celebration that spans the breadth of Wasserman's businesses, including sports, music, entertainment, and culture.
This year's roster of guest lecturers and panelists includes:
- Sam Alpert - SVP/Marketing, Wasserman Music
- Jacqueline Alston - Chief of Staff, Broccoli City
- Lee Anderson - EVP & Managing Executive, Wasserman Music
- Callender - Vice President, Wasserman Music
- Cautious Clay - singer/songwriter/producer
- Anthony Cotton - Production Manager, Wasted Potential
- Doug Foley - Account Manager, Artist Services, Seated
- Gavin Ryan - Senior Director, Marketing, Big Beat & Atlantic Records
- Hammond Seay - Wasserman Music
- Jenifer Smith - Head of Urban Tour Marketing, US Concerts, Live Nation
- Lorena Garcia Waheibi - Associate Director of Digital Marketing & Strategy, Roc Nation
"Our experience with Wasserman Music last year was unparalleled -- from the brilliance and creativity of the agents, executives, artists, producers, and agency partners who came to participate each week to the multi-city summer internship that several of our students got to experience at Wasserman," said Prof. Pat Parks, Assistant Professor and Area Coordinator of the Theatre Arts Administration Program at the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University.
Said De'Anya Bell, Senior Theatre Administration Minor and Media, Journalism, and Film Major at Howard University, after learning that she was selected for one of this year's Wasserman Music internships, "This internship will provide me with a wide-ranging introduction to the inner workings of a music agency. From understanding the agent's role in the music industry ecosystem to all the components of booking a tour or live performance, this experience will provide an opportunity to learn from Wasserman Music's talented and hardworking team. I am so thankful for this opportunity!"
The Music Business Insights Program is an outgrowth of Wasserman Music's partnership with prominent social justice organization Color of Change and its #ChangeMusic Roadmap. The program now returns for its second year at Howard University, proudly partnering with the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business.
"We are excited to partner with Wasserman Music and The Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts to showcase Howard's ongoing united efforts to serve our students and community by providing world-class elite programming," said Jasmine Young, MBA (Howard 1994) Director of the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business at Howard University.
Said Prof. Parks, "After such a successful inaugural run and even broader support from across the campus this year, we are looking to make our efforts even bigger and bolder going into year two of this collaboration and beyond!"
Learn more about the HU Theatre Arts Administration-Wasserman Summer Internship experience here.
See the Wasserman x Howard University 2023 Experience Recap video here.
2024 Music Business Insights Program- Panel #1
2024 Music Business Insights Program- Panel #2
2024 Music Business Insights Program- Panel #3
