A. Requirements

1. A minimum of 90 total credits (at least 30 of which have been earned at Southeast Missouri State University) with a minimum overall 2.50 GPA .
2. A minimum of 45 theatre credits (at least 25 of which have been earned at Southeast Missouri State University) with a minimum 2.75 GPA

B. Procedure: When nearing fulfillment of the above requirements, the candidates must submit to the Department a Senior Thesis Project Proposal that includes:

1. A current Credit Audit Report.
2. The date of anticipated graduation.
3. A formal statement detailing the specific project being proposed with an explanation of how the project will enhance career goals and potential contributions to the theatre arts.

(FOR A DIRECTING PROJECT OR ACTING RECITAL, THE PROPOSAL MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PROPOSALS FROM THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION STAFF.)

For a Senior Acting Project, an initial proposal may state the intention to audition for a role in a main stage production. If cast, a complete proposal relating to the specific role must be submitted within two weeks to the Department. If not cast, an application for a formal Acting Recital must be submitted to the Department within the first three weeks of the following semester. (Stipulations regarding production limitations for recitals will be set by the faculty.)
a. The Proposal must include the following:

1. A Rationale Statement of no more than three (3), typed, double-spaced pages;
2. A Project Description of no more than three (3), typed, double-spaced pages; and
3. A Project Activities Calendar.
4. The dated signature of the candidate’s academic advisor, indicating that consultation has taken place.

C. Approval

1. Prior to the next pre-registration period, the application will be presented by the candidate’s advisor to the Theatre/Dance Department for consideration. Such consideration may include an appearance for a personal interview with the faculty.
2. If the application is approved, written notification will be sent by the Chair. This formal notification will include the name of the assigned BFA Project Advisor—most usually the student’s regular, academic advisor, with whom regular consultations will be held concerning the project.
3. If the application is denied, written notification will be sent by the Chair stating the specific reasons for the denial as well as options for re-application. APPROVAL OF PROPOSALS FOR DIRECTING PROJECTS AND ACTING RECITIALS WILL BE CONTINGENT UPON APPROVAL OF PROPOSALS FROM THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION STAFF.

D. Evaluation

1. The Senior Thesis Project Advisor will guide, supervise and evaluate the progress of the Project.  Where possible, the entire Theatre and Dance faculty with the candidate’s academic advisor serving as primary liaison, shall serve as consulting evaluators and secondary advisors.  Candidates may invite guest faculty to serve as evaluators as well.  A minimum of 2/3 of the total faculty must evaluate each project and the candidate is strongly advised to consult all faculty members during the overall completion of the project.   
2. The Senior Thesis Project Advisor—with the full consultation and cooperation of the Theatre and Dance Faculty—will insure that the conditions of the Project (e.g. purpose, procedure, schedule, time, place, etc) are followed. Failure to meet those conditions or inability to complete the conditions satisfactorily will result in a recommendation by the Advisor to:
   
1. Terminate the Project, in which case a failing grade will be recorded.
2. Postpone the Project
3. Alter the conditions initially stated in the proposal
4. Prior to completion of the Project, the candidate must schedule a Final Evaluation meeting with the faculty. This meeting shall be held within ten (10) days of the completed Project..
3. The Final Evaluation will be submitted by the Project Advisor to the Theatre/Dance Faculty prior to the meeting.
4. Within six (6) days after the close of the production, the candidate must present to the Project Advisors a detailed , acceptably written Project Self-Assessment for final evaluation.
   
1. The Self-Assessment Final Evaluation presentation shall take no more than 30 minutes including time for questions and answers.
2. The oral presentation of the Project Self-Assessment must be accompanied by copies of the written Final Evaluation.
3. The Project Self-Assessment must include:
   
1. Goals of the Project Re-stated,
2. Process History Re-counted,
3. Record of Activities – the Project Calendar Assessed,
4. A Journal of Discoveries and Challenges,
5. A Statement of Outcomes – including specific and general strengths and weaknesses in the development, planning, and execution of the project.
5. The final grade for the Project is determined as follows:
   
1. The Process – 40%; primarily evaluated through the formal and informal observations of faculty and staff and through assessment of the Project Calendar and Journal of Discoveries and Challenges materials and through the Project Self-Assessment presentation.  Students are encouraged to use their process-oriented materials and presentations as documentation and evidence of their process-centered efforts.
2. The Final Product – 40%; evaluated in terms of their individual, immediate, and subjective impact and success as completed and presented or performed works of art or craft.    Students are strongly advised that each project must reflect the highest standards of art or craft or both and demonstrate pragmatic, aesthetic, and academic successes worthy of students entering the first stages of professional work. 
3. Written Materials – 20%; evaluated in terms of content, style, and form.  Students must prepare these materials carefully and according to accepted formats and styles in consultation with the advisor.
4. In certain case the assessment weightings among the Process, the Final Product, the Written Materials, or all three may be adjusted up or down by majority agreement of the Faculty of Theatre and Dance under consultation with the Project Advisor.
6. The Department of Theatre and Dance will present the student’s advisor with a written project assessment including a final grade report and rationale within one week of the completion of all Project activities.  The candidate should meet with the advisor A.S.A.P. to get the final grade and assessment.
7. Students may appeal project grades within one week of the date of the Department’s final assessment.  Appeals are addressed to the Department Chair and the Project Advisor.  Only formally prepared and presented written appeals of no more than three typed, double-spaced pages will be considered.
   

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