Capstone Experiences

Please Note: We are in the process of updating the information and application links on this page. Contact Laxmi Kumaran with any questions: laxmik@berkeley.edu

A Capstone Experience is intended to be the culmination of your undergraduate education in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS).

A Capstone Experience may allow you to attain an extraordinarily high degree of skill in your area of focus, or to complete a substantial project on a theme or issue that you find deeply significant. By completing a Capstone Experience in your final years at TDPS, you will bring together your undergraduate experience with a moment of synthesis and celebration. 

Students undertake Capstone Experiences in order to plan and carry out a specific research project; synthesize their diverse educational interests; achieve a certain level of mastery in their area of focus in theater, dance, or performance studies; or add a significant accomplishment to their résumés so that they are well prepared to enter the professional world after graduation. Some Capstone Experiences are focused on reading, critical thinking, and academic writing; others emphasize performing or creating new works for the stage; still others allow students to teach, or travel, or intern with professionals in the working world. Students choose the Capstone Experience that best suits their academic and artistic interests, and will give them the experience that they need to transition successfully into the world of graduate study or professional work.

The most extensive and advanced Capstone Experience is an Honors Project, which takes place over two consecutive semesters, with four credits of work per semester. Honors Projects may include research and writing only, or research, writing, and a performance component.

Please note that most Capstone Experiences have prerequisites and application procedures, as described below. For those involving use of performance spaces, there are a limited number available each semester.

To discuss your options for Capstone Experiences, contact the Undergraduate Academic Advisor, Laxmi Kumaran (tdpsugadvisor@berkeley.edu). For many Capstones, speaking with the Advisor is required for consideration.


Capstones in Design

Theater 176: Supervised Theatrical Design (Lighting)

Theater 176: Supervised Theatrical Design (Lighting)

Advanced students of lighting design are provided experience, structure, and support in the practical application of design to the stage in departmental productions.

Prerequisites/Rules:

Have completed Theater 175A and 175B or the equivalent experience.

Faculty Supervision:

Theater 176 provides a mentoring opportunity with the lighting design faculty on campus or off campus.

Learn More:

Contact Ray Oppenheimer (rjoppenh@berkeley.edu) for information about participation and enrollment.

Theater 179: Supervised Theatrical Design (Costume & Scenic)

Theater 179: Supervised Theatrical Design (Costume & Scenic)

Advanced students who have taken TDPS scenic design and costume design classes are offered opportunities to participate in practical scenographic explorations by taking responsibility for designing or assistant-designing department shows. This may include designing costumes, scenery, projections, and/or special properties. The level of experience and commitment required varies, so each project is tailored to the needs and abilities of each student and their particular production context.

Prerequisites/Rules:

Have completed Theater 173A/B or 174A/B or the equivalent experience.

Faculty Supervision:

Theater 179 provides a mentoring opportunity with the costume design or scenic design faculty on campus or off campus.

Learn More:

Contact Jamila Cobham (jamilacobham@berkeley.edu) for information about participation and enrollment.

Capstones in Performance

Theater 180: Theatrical Realization of Dance

Theater 180: Theatrical Realization of Dance

This course gives you credit for participating in the department's annual dance concert, Berkeley Dance Project (BDP). Laboratory hours are spent in attendance at rehearsals, coaching sessions, and performances.

Prerequisites/Rules:

An audition is required to participate as a dancer/performer in Berkeley Dance Project. Auditions are held at the beginning of each Fall Semester and are open to all students. Find information and sign up for an audition on the TDPS Callboard

Faculty Supervision:

Pieces presented in Berkeley Dance Project are choreographed and/or directed by faculty members, professional guest artists, and advanced students.

Theater 181: Theatrical Realization of Dramatic Texts

Theater 181: Theatrical Realization of Dramatic Texts

This course gives you credit for participating in the department's Playhouse or Studio Productions. Laboratory hours are spent in attendance at rehearsals, coaching sessions, and performances of the play/piece.

Prerequisites/Rules:

An audition is required to participate as an actor/performer. Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester and are open to all students. Find information and sign up for an audition on the TDPS Callboard

Faculty Supervision:

Playhouse and Studio Productions are directed by faculty members or professional guest artists. On occasion, advanced students may direct Studio Productions with faculty supervision.

Theater 196/277: University Theater Workshop

Theater 196/277: University Theater Workshop

The 196 Workshop for undergraduate students and 277 Workshop for graduate students is a performance project for the advanced directing, choreography, or performance art student within the scope of a single semester. Workshops are restricted to TDPS majors and minors. Although undergraduate projects are given priority, graduate students may also apply for consideration. This 4-unit, letter-graded course is possible in either the Fall or Spring Semester.


Prerequisites/Rules:

  • TDPS major, minor, or graduate student.
  • Minimum UC Berkeley GPA of 3.3
  • Have completed the following courses, or take them concurrently with your application process:
    • Theater 60: Introduction to Technical Theater & Production
    • At least one of the following (depending on the nature of your performance component):
      • Theater 162: Stage Directing
      • Theater 146A or 146B: Choreography
      • Theater 139A or 139B: Playwriting
      • Theater 110A, 110B, or 111: Upper-Division Acting
  • Demonstrate ability to assume the creative and administrative responsibilities of the proposed project.
  • Graduate students should provide information regarding previous coursework in the field of directing/choreography and get approval from their graduate advisor.

Faculty Advisors:

Workshops require a Faculty Advisor. Students are encouraged to start discussing projects—both the possibilities and the limitations of what you envision—with potential Faculty Advisors as early as possible (normally in September or October). Students are required to submit and discuss a rough draft of their proposal with a Faculty Advisor at least two weeks before the deadline for proposals. Faculty Advisors will not approve proposals that have not been reviewed with them before the deadline. Faculty Advisors will then be responsible for presenting the proposal and answering questions from the H195/196 Committee and, if the project is approved, for monitoring the student’s progress on a regular basis throughout the course.


Clarification:

This one-semester course does not require a thesis or essay. Most ideas that are more performance-focused should apply for the 196 Workshop. Non-Senate faculty members may also be invited to advise your workshop without remuneration.


Technical/Production Support:

  • Workshops are student produced in coordination with the Production Manager and Assistant Production Manager. They are focused on language and performance with minimal technical support.
  • There are no assigned student running crews or stage managers. Students who are leading Workshops are welcome to recruit other students as support staff, who will all enroll in Theater 171 with the performers.
  • Zellerbach 170 (Z170) is the likely venue for all Workshops, though on occasion students may use Durham Studio Theater or Bancroft Studio, determined by application criteria and venue availability.
  • Students use the available rehearsal furniture in the space.
  • Workshops do not have access to department scenery, props, or costumes. Participants are encouraged to create an aesthetic for their performance through simple choices and are asked to consider the overall aesthetic of the event in consultation with the Production Manager.
  • Student Directors/Choreographers will meet with the department's Communications Director to discuss promotion of auditions and performances. Students are encouraged to think about the audience experience from the time they enter the space until they depart and are responsible for setting up the venue, and seeing that the event runs smoothly. The Communications Director will arrange for photography and/or videography of the final dress rehearsal.
  • Students may make use of the rep light plots and may have up to 8 lighting cues. Lighting in this context is meant to serve as a framework for the piece, establishing beginning and end, tone and passage of time. The lighting for Workshops is not intended to be full design. Similarly, sound may be used for pre- and post-show music and a limited number of necessary internal cues. Sound and light cues will be run by participants in the Workshop.

Application Due Dates:

196 Workshop applications for undergraduate students and 277 Workshop applications for graduate students are due in the Spring for projects happening the following academic year:

  • For Fall 2024 / Spring 2025, a draft of your application is due to your Faculty Advisor by 4pm on the first Friday of April (Submit by April 5, 2024)
  • Your final application is due to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor by 4pm on the third Friday of April (Submit by April 19, 2024)

Application Form:

Production Participation

Production Participation

Productions in TDPS can take multiple forms, each being afforded specific resources of time and technical support. Below are explanations of three departmental rubrics in order of increasing time commitment for participants.


Workshops:

Course Credit:

  • 3–4 units for Directors, Choreographers, or Playwrights through Theater H195, 196, or 277
  • 1–2 units for Performers or Assistants through Theater 171

Process & Structure:

  • Workshops are entirely student produced. They are focused on language and performance with minimal technical support.
  • Workshops are generated from applications for H195 (Honors Projects) and 196/277 (Workshop Projects). Slots are available to graduate and undergraduate students on a competitive basis. See application guidelines on this page.
  • Performers are cast through auditions, which are facilitated by the student director with input from their Faculty Advisor.
  • Workshops allow for 3 weeks of rehearsal (15 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 6–9pm), 1 night of tech in the venue, and 2 public performances/showings.
  • Performances should have a running time of 60–75 minutes maximum.

Production Support for Workshops:

  • Zellerbach 170 (Z170) is the likely venue for all Workshops, though on occasion students may use Durham Studio Theater or Bancroft Studio, determined by application criteria and venue availability.
  • There are no assigned student running crews or stage managers. Students who are leading Workshops are welcome to recruit other students as support staff, who will all enroll in Theater 171 with the performers.

Studio Productions:

Course Credit:

  • 2–3 units for Assistant Directors/Assistant Choreographers through Theater 180 or 181
  • 3 units for Performers through Theater 180 or 181

Process & Structure:

  • Studio Productions are selected by the Season Planning Committee and are directed by faculty members or professional guest artists.
  • Performers are cast through auditions in the first 3 weeks of each semester.
  • Studio Productions allow for 5 weeks of rehearsal (20 hours per week) and include up to 1 week of technical rehearsals in the the performance space.
  • Productions culminate in 5 public performances, which are ticketed with paid admission. Performances have a running time of up to 90 minutes.

Production Support for Studio Productions:

  • Studio Productions are staged in Durham Studio Theater, Room 7, or a configuration of Zellerbach Playhouse.
  • Advanced students may design scenery, costumes, lighting, or sound for Studio Productions through Theater 176 or 179 (Supervised Theatrical Design).
  • Run Crew/Operators for Studio Productions are provided through Theater 60, 167, 169, 175A.

Playhouse Productions

Course Credit:

  • 2–3 units for Assistant Directors/Choreographers through Theater 180 or 181.
  • 4 units for Performers through Theater 180 or 181.

Process & Commitment:

  • Playhouse Productions are selected by the Season Planning Committee and are directed by faculty members or professional guest artists. (Berkeley Dance Project may consider graduate student choreographers due to the nature of its structure.)
  • Performers are cast through auditions in the first 3 weeks of each semester.
  • Playhouse Productions allow for 5–10 weeks of rehearsal (5 weeks at ~25 hours/week or 10 weeks at ~9 hours/week) and include up to 1 week of technical rehearsals in the performance space.
  • Productions culminate in 5 public performances, which are ticketed with paid admission. Performances have a running time of up to 120 minutes.

Technical/Production Support for Playhouse Productions:

  • Playhouse Productions are staged in Zellerbach Playhouse and are designed by faculty, staff, and professional guest artists.
  • Run Crew/Operators for Playhouse Productions are provided through Theater 60, 167, 169, 175A.

Capstones Across Specialties

Theater 99/199: Independent Study

Theater 99/199: Independent Study

99/199 Independent Study is the opportunity for student(s) to set up a research/learning environment and mentor relationship with one faculty member to accomplish a learning objective of the student, pursuing a question in a research project of their own choosing.


Faculty Supervision:

This is a course based on the development of the mentor relationship between student and faculty member. Start early in coordinating this learning opportunity.


Prerequisites/Rules:

  • 1-3 units, computed on a unit representing 3 hours of work per week for 15 weeks
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis (hence, does not fulfill TDPS minor requirement)
  • Course may be repeated
  • You may earn up to 16 units toward graduation for courses numbered 98, 99, 197, 198, and 199
  • You may not take more than 4 units of 98, 99, 197, 198, and/or 199 courses in any one semester
  • To enroll in Theater 199, you must have successfully completed 60 units

Application Due Dates:

199 Independent Study applications are due in the semester before the independent study occurs:

  • For Fall Semester 2023, applications are due to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor by 4pm on the third Friday of April (Submit by April 21, 2023)
  • For Spring Semester 2024, applications are due to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor by 4pm on the first Friday of December (Submit by December 1, 2023)

Application Form:

Theater H195A/B: Departmental Honors Project

Theater H195A/B: Departmental Honors Project

Please visit the Honors Projects page for details and application instructions.

Theater 197: Field Studies in Theater (Internship)

Theater 197: Field Studies in Theater

197 Field Studies is an off-campus, supervised internship experience in theatrical production fields such as design and construction, stage management, publicity, and/or arts management, marketing, dramaturgy, and arts business fields, intended to prepare students for careers in the performing arts.


Prerequisites/Rules:

  • Taken on a Pass/Not Pass basis (hence, does not fulfill TDPS minor requirement)
  • Course may be repeated
  • 1-4 units, with 1 unit representing 3 hours of work per week for 15 weeks
  • Internships are supervised by a faculty member in the student’s major department
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • You cannot be paid for your internship
  • To enroll in Theater 197, you must have successfully completed 60 units
  • You may earn up to 16 units toward graduation for courses numbered 98, 99, 197, 198, and 199
  • You may not take more than 4 units of 98, 99, 197, 198, and/or 199 courses in any one semester

Faculty Supervision:

The intention of Theater 197 is to acquire experience and learning in the theater profession that is unavailable to you here at UC Berkeley in the same way. It is important that the internship not just be free labor, but rather, a fulfilling professional and educational experience. Since the Department gives credit for this experience, it is essential that both the On-Site Supervisor/Instructor and the UC Berkeley Faculty Advisor understand the nature of the internship and take responsibility for its educational purpose. The more specific all three of you can be about the scope and the nature of the internship in advance, the more likely the internship will be successful. Lack of preparation often creates misunderstandings later, so the more attention each brings to this process in advance, the stronger the internship. We hope a secondary advantage of the internship will be the professional colleagues created. Coordinating this three-way partnership requires starting early.


Application Due Dates:

  • Fall & Spring Semester Internships: Applications are due to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor by the end of the first week of the semester in which the internship will take place.
  • Summer Internships: Applications are due to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor one week before RRR Week begins in the Spring Semester.

Application Form:

Theater 198: Student-Facilitated Courses (Teaching A DeCal)

Theater 198: Student-Facilitated Courses (Teaching A DeCal)

Student-Facilitated Courses (DeCal: Democratic Education at Cal) are an important adjunct curriculum component to the TDPS departmental educational structure and across campus. Since 1965, students have shared their teaching skills and expertise in hundreds of courses offered each semester at UC Berkeley that otherwise would not be able to be taught. DeCal courses appear in the TDPS Departmental course listing, and for that semester, you are one of the course facilitators offering a class in our department under the mentorship of a supervising faculty member. The hope is that by teaching students will learn more about the educational profession and the ability to do research through teaching. Perhaps teaching will emerge as one of the interests you will be able to take with you into the next stage of your life and professional work. Teaching at UC Berkeley is not only a privilege, but also an amazing opportunity to develop as an artist and academic. The following procedures will maintain uniformity in the expectations and responsibilities assumed in offering these courses. It is up to the applicant and their faculty supervisor to turn in a complete application. All DeCal courses in TDPS are taught as a Theater 98 course. The DeCal facilitator gets two units of Theater 198 for their work as facilitator.


Prerequisites/Rules:

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Major or Minor in TDPS, including having taken at least one course in the focus area that has prepared you to teach in the department
  • 1 unit for each student participant of Student-Facilitated Course Theater 98
  • 2 units of Theater 198 (Student-Facilitated Course) for student facilitators
  • DeCal classes may not be used to fulfill major or minor requirements
  • DeCal courses are graded pass/no pass
  • DeCal courses may be facilitated by one or more students
  • TDPS offers a maximum of 4 of these courses per semester

Faculty Supervision:

The sponsoring faculty member is the instructor of record. The paperwork to apply for this course and opportunity is substantial, and planning on the part of both student coordinator(s) and faculty is necessary. Start early. Student facilitator(s) and faculty should carefully read over the information on the DeCal website and speak with the Undergraduate Academic Advisor before applying.


Application Due Dates:

Theater 198 course proposals are due the semester before the DeCal will occur. Proposals must first be submitted to TDPS. Final proposals must then be submitted to the Academic Senate.

  • For courses taught in Spring Semester 2024, applications are due to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor by 4pm on the second Friday of October (Submit by October 13, 2023)
  • For courses taught in Fall Semester 2024, applications are due to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor by 4pm on the second Friday of March (Submit by March 8, 2024)

Application Form:

Faculty Research Assistants

Faculty Research Assistants

You may wish to work with a faculty member on their research projects. Often faculty members need assistance finding primary and secondary materials, collecting and analyzing data, or writing technical documents. As a faculty research assistant, you may experience the value of deep study and exploration into a topic that may be related to your own interests. Beginning a conversation, as early as possible, with the faculty member is the best way to initiate this process. Check out the campus website to discern next application submission opportunity. The Undergraduate Research Assistance Program (URAP) pairs students with different faculty and new research projects each semester. Academic credit is available through URAP.