Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Performance Seminar

THEA 1041-01

Course: THEA 1041-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30625

Course Description

A seminar class connecting early BFA performance students with tools for success while still in college. This course is designed to create a cohort of actors who will progress through the program together and to provide information and advice on expectations, structure, and requirements. Other components include seminars, Q&A style conversations with professional artists, discussion on how and where to find summer work, internships, and other developmental paths, and more if time permits.

Required Texts

There are no required textbooks needed for this course. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Students will prepare professional headshots and resumes.
  • Students will learn where and how to find internship opportunities.
  • Students will prepare a pitch for a passion project that could be used to apply for a Theatre Black Box Grant.
  • Students will observe & research quality self-tapes to prepare them for upcoming auditions.

Course Requirements

Grading & Assessment

Your grade in Performance Seminar is based on your engagement, preparation, and follow-through. As a professional training program, this course emphasizes reliability, collaboration, and accountability alongside artistic growth.

Assignment Outline – Fall 2025 (Fridays only)
ComponentPercentageDescription
Class Participation & Professionalism30%Attendance, punctuality, active listening, respectful engagement with guest artists, and contribution to discussions/activities.
Headshot & Resume20%Submission of a professional-quality headshot and performance resume, with in-class feedback and revision.
Intern Report20%Written or recorded report summarizing an internship, summer work, or shadowing experience (completed or prospective), highlighting skills gained and connections made.
Passion Project Pitch20%Short presentation proposing a self-directed artistic project, including concept, intended impact, and resource plan.

Course Outline

DateWeekly LearningAssignments Due
8/29Introduction/Syllabus
9/5Utah Shakespeare Festival Guest Artist
9/12Headshot & ResumeBring headshot & resume to class
9/19Utah Shakespeare Festival Guest ArtistRevise headshot & Resume
9/26Audition & Self Tapes, Alum Guest Artist
10/3High School Shakes – No Class
10/10Black Box Grants & MorePrepare Passion Project Pitch
10/17Professional Decorum, Guest Artist
10/24Internship OpportunitiesIntern Report Due
10/31Grad School, Guest Artist
11/7Actors Equity, Peter Sham
11/14Belonging & Community, Guest Artist
11/21Professional Decorum
11/28Thanksgiving Break – No Class
12/5BFA Jury
12/12BFA Jury

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


Canvas: This class will utilize Canvas. Through Canvas you will find information concerning assignments, readings, announcements, grades, etc. It is your responsibility to check Canvas frequently and it is strongly encouraged to check often as information can be added or announcements and reminders made through Canvas.
Technology: You are permitted to use any and all technology so long as it is in service to the course. Texting, snapchat, Instagram, etc. are not permitted.
Assignments/Late work: Most assignments will be due by 11:59 pm and submitted through Canvas on the date they are due, unless otherwise noted on the syllabus or in class. All assignments should be typed unless otherwise specified by the instructor. Late work will be penalized 10% per day (not class period) that they are late.
Extra Credit: Extra credit MAY be offered at various points throughout the semester. It is entirely at the instructor’s discretion and may not be offered at all.
Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI. The use of generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Dall-e, etc.) is permitted in this course for the following activities:
  • Brainstorming and refining your ideas;
  • Fine tuning your research questions;
  • Checking grammar and style.
The use of generative AI tools is not permitted in this course for the following activities:
  • Impersonating you in classroom contexts.
  • Writing a draft of a writing assignment.
  • Writing entire sentences, paragraphs or papers to complete class assignments.
You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). When in doubt about permitted usage, please ask for clarification. Remember, unacceptable use of AI undermines your own artistic value.

Attendance Policy

Attendance and Illness: You are allowed 3 unexcused absences. I record attendance every day. Each absence after 3 will result in a 33.333 point deduction in your attendance and participation grade. If you negate your total attendance and participation grade your grade will continue to decline by 1/3 of a letter grade as per the TDAA Student Handbook. An absence may be excused for circumstances outside of your control. Arrangements must be made before the absence occurs (i.e., email or speak to me before you miss class). 3 tardies = 1 absence (leaving class early for any reason counts as a tardy). No student missing 25% of scheduled classes can receive a passing grade. PLEASE, DO NOT COME TO CLASS IF YOU ARE ILL. Email or contact the instructor if ill, then arrangements to make up the participation points and provide the recording will be made.

Course Fees

There are no course fees for this course.

Course Details

  • (Fall – Freshman & Sophomore)
  • Repeatable: Yes
  • Total Credits: 1
  • BFA Theatre Majors Only.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.