Graduation with Distinction

Distinction Projects

Rising seniors in the Theater Studies major may pursue a project in writing, directing, acting, design/theater technology, dramatic literature, theater history, or performance studies. All projects must have a research component and a substantial written portion. Projects may also have a production component.

Check out some past Senior Distinction Projects

Download the Senior Distinction Form

Eligibility

Theater Studies Majors with at least a 3.5 GPA in their Theater Studies courses are eligible to apply during the junior year for a project planned for the senior year. Candidates for Graduation with Distinction in the major must complete 11 courses in total instead of the standard 10. All distinction courses count toward the major. The student’s proposed project needs the approval of the project supervisor, second committee member, and the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) for permission to enroll. Proposals may be submitted for a project cycle of either Fall - Spring or Spring - Fall; specific process due dates apply.

Application Process Due Dates

Spring 2026 - Fall 2026 Project Cycle

Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 Project Cycle

Project Proposal Evaluation Process

All Graduation with Distinction proposals will be evaluated by the DUS, Chair, and the project advisors of the applying juniors. This committee may ask students to answer additional questions, submit additional information, or resubmit their proposal. Once all applications have been reviewed the committee will make a recommendation to the faculty, who will then vote on the proposals. The DUS will make all efforts to notify students of the faculty's decision before registration for the upcoming semester begins.

Distinction Coursework

In the candidate's senior year, they are required to take either a Theater Studies Research Independent Study (THEATRST 493-1) or a "home seminar" in the project's first semester and the Senior Distinction Project (THEATRST 495) in the second semester.  

First Semester: Research Independent Study (THEATRST 493-1) or Home Seminar

The Research Independent Study (THEATRST 493-1) option requires students to meet once every two weeks with their instructor. At least 15 pages of research must be documented and turned in by the end of the semester for review by the project supervisor and the Theater Studies Director of Undergraduate Studies. This documentation can vary depending on the nature of the research, including but not limited to written notes, visual representations, and journal entries. Home seminars entail enrolling in a course taught by your thesis advisor closely associated with your topic. You should first get the instructor's permission and arrange to do extra reading and writing assignments for the class that will translate the coursework into the terms of your distinction project. The home seminar option is only available during the first semester of the project.

Second Semester: Senior Distinction Project (THEATRST 495)

All distinction candidates must submit a substantial written component as a thesis paper as follows.

• Candidates with a distinction project in dramatic literature, theater history, or performance studies are required to submit a 40–70 page thesis paper.
• Candidates with a distinction project in acting, directing, or design/theater technology are required to submit a 25-page paper supplementary to their acting or directing project.
• Candidates writing original scripts, adaptations, and/or translations are required to turn in a 15-page paper supplementary to their dramatic writing project.

Evaluation Procedure

Upon approval by the project advisor, the written component of the thesis is submitted by email to the DUS assistant for evaluation by a committee composed of the DUS, the project advisor, and one other faculty member. Following review of the written work, a defense panel is scheduled for the student to discuss the completed project with the panel, who will assess the student's candidacy for graduation with distinction.