Immersive & Interactive Theatre, BA
Overview
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Immersive & Interactive Theatre
The BA in Immersive & Interactive Theatre explores how performance, design, writing, directing, and management can come together to create experiences where audiences step inside the story. Students work collaboratively to design interactive worlds, craft meaningful audience experiences, and experiment with new ways of blending theatre, play, and participation.
Graduates are prepared for leadership in the rapidly growing field of immersive and interactive entertainment, as well as for creative roles in game design, experiential marketing, escape room creation, live-action role-playing, and other interactive experiences. The program builds skills in collaboration, creativity, and storytelling that support success across the arts and in a wide range of professional settings.
Degree Requirements
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Immersive & Interactive Theatre
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
THEA 122 and any other course approved as Humanities & the Arts | ||
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FAA 101 | Arts at Illinois | 1 |
| THEA 284 | Introduction to Immersive and Interactive Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 122 | Theatre Foundations: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| THEA 123 | Theatre Foundations: Production | 3 |
| THEA 200 | Practicum II (taken twice for 1 credit hour each time) | 2 |
| THEA 403 | Topics in Immersive & Interactive Theatre (taken twice for 3 credit hours each time) | 6 |
| THEA 436 | Engagement & Alchemy of the Audience | 3 |
| FAA 402 | Experience Design for Immersion & Interaction | 3 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Theatre Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 hours from: | 6 | |
| Experimental Collaborative Lab (may repeat up to 2 times) | ||
| Practicum III | ||
| Practicum IV | ||
| Select one course from: | 3 | |
| Designing Immersive Adventures: Escape Rooms | ||
| Theatrical Tabletop Role-Playing Game Design | ||
| Select additional THEA or courses in other units, as approved by advisor | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Game Studies and Design Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GSD 101 | Introduction to Game Studies and Design | 3 |
| GSD electives (200 level and above) or other courses, with approval of advisor | 10 | |
| Total Hours | 13 | |
Collaborative Studio Practicum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FAA 250 | Interdisciplinary Design Lab I | 3 |
| FAA 450 | Interdisciplinary Design Lab II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Bachelor of Arts in Immersive and Interactive Theatre
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Theatre Core | 24 | |
| Theatre Electives | 18 | |
| Game Studies and Design | 13 | |
| Collaborative Studios | 6 | |
| Free Electives | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
A minimum of 40 credits at the 300 or 400 course level are required | ||
At least 45 semester hours of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign credit | ||
At least 21 hours must be 300 or 400 level courses of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign credit | ||
Sample Sequence
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Immersive & Interactive Theatre
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
First Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| FAA 101 - Arts at Illinois | 1 |
| THEA 284 - Introduction to Immersive and Interactive Theatre | 3 |
| Composition I or Language other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 122 - Theatre Foundations: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Additional THEA or additional course | 3 |
| Composition I or Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
Second Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 200 - Practicum II | 1 |
| THEA 123 - Theatre Foundations: Production | 3 |
| GSD 101 - Introduction to Game Studies and Design | 3 |
| FAA 250 - Interdisciplinary Design Lab I | 1 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| FAA 250 - Interdisciplinary Design Lab I | 2 |
| THEA 436 - Engagement & Alchemy of the Audience | 3 |
| Additional THEA or additional course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
Third Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 403 - Topics in Immersive & Interactive Theatre | 3 |
| "Select 6 hours from" course | 3 |
| THEA 200 - Practicum II | 1 |
| Additional THEA or additional course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| "Select 6 hours from" course | 3 |
| "Select 1 from" course | 3 |
| GSD Elective | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Fourth Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 403 - Topics in Immersive & Interactive Theatre | 3 |
| GSD Elective | 3 |
| GSD Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| FAA 402 - Experience Design for Immersion & Interaction | 3 |
| FAA 450 - Interdisciplinary Design Lab II | 3 |
| GSD Elective | 1 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
Total Hours
Total hours for all requirements: 120
Learning Outcomes
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Immersive & Interactive Theatre
- Analyze the historical, cultural, and theoretical foundations of immersive and interactive performance.
- Apply game design and experience design principles to create engaging audience interactions.
- Develop and present immersive narratives and performances through experimentation, iteration, and feedback.
- Collaborate effectively across disciplines to produce innovative immersive and interactive work.
- Demonstrate readiness for graduate study or professional careers in immersive theatre, game design, or experience design.
Contact Information
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Immersive & Interactive Theatre
Theatre
Major advisor: Amber Dewey Schultz
Theatre Department website
Theatre Department faculty
4-122 Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2371
theatre@illinois.edu
College of Fine & Applied Arts
Admissions
Overview of the College of Fine & Applied Arts Admissions & Requirements
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
admissions@illinois.edu