Department of
Theater, Film, and Media Studies

Important Announcements/Policies

Declaration of Major: When students declare a major in TFMS, by the spring semester of their sophomore year, they must select a member of this department as their adviser. (Note: If a student has declared a double major and has selected a faculty advisor from his/her other major field of study, he/she need not select an adviser from TFMS, although we strongly recommend that the student consult a faculty member in TFMS about his/her course of study within the department.) Review the requirements for the major in theater studies. Review the requirements for the major in film and media studies. For a complete list of course offerings in TFMS and their descriptions, visit the College Catalog.

Declaration of the Minor: When students declare a minor in theater studies, in film and media studies, or in dance/movement no later than the fall semester of their senior year, they should inform the department chair of their intent to do so. Faculty in TFMS encourage students interested in minoring in these areas to declare the minor before their senior year. Review the requirements for the minors in theater studies, in film and media studies, and in dance/movement.

Theater, Film, and Media Studies (TFMS) Open House: At the beginning of each fall semester, a fun-filled meeting of all declared majors and minors and interested students will be held in the Bruce Davis Theater. All who are interested in learning more about department activities for the coming year, about the majors and minors, and in meeting department faculty and students are welcome to attend. This meeting is mandatory for all declared TFMS majors. Munchies and libations will be provided.

TFMS Night: Each May, TFMS sponsors TFMS Night to showcase student work in the performing arts and in film and media at St. Mary's College. Department faculty encourage the participation and attendance of all TFMS majors and minors. Read more about TFMS Night.

Bulletin Boards: Bulletin boards routinely used by TFMS for posting general announcements, audition notices, rehearsal schedules, crew calls, dance announcements, employment opportunities, graduate school brochures, etc. are located in the following areas in Montgomery Hall: outside the Box Office, inside rm. 172 (the Green Room), outside the dance studio (rm. 107), and on the scene shop door (rm. 166). Announcements for White Room activities are posted on its own bulletin board outside the Box Office. Students should check these bulletin boards daily for information.

Audition Policy: Auditions for each main stage show are open to college and local St. Mary's communities. At least one week before auditions, announcements will be posted on MH and campus-wide bulletin boards, in the on-line electronic Bulletin, and distributed electronically by email. Sign-up sheets for auditions are posted on the bulletin board outside the Theater Box Office in Montgomery Hall. The first show of the season routinely auditions in early September; watch the bulletin board and your email for announcements.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy: TFMS strictly enforces the College policy concerning the consumption and/or distribution of alcoholic beverages and other controlled substances. Please refer to the full Campus Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy as outlined in To the Point, copies of which may be obtained from the Dean of Students Office.

TFMS Policy on the Use of Tobacco Products on Stage: The Maryland Clean Indoor Air Act is one of the most comprehensive anti-smoking statutes in the country . . . so comprehensive that the bill even lists the five types of facilities that are not covered (private homes and vehicles; no more than 25% of the rooms in any hotel; research or educational labs where smoking studies are conducted; tobacco industry facilities; and retail tobacco establishments). TFMS is at risk of being sued, fined, and/or of simply losing audience who are bothered by either the physical effects of the smoke or of the illegality. As far as we know at this time, since the law specifies tobacco products, substitute products, such as herbal cigarettes, may be considered. Therefore, it is the policy of TFMS to prohibit smoking tobacco products on department stages, including in the student-run performance space, The White Room. Use of substitute products will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis with the department chair, director, and cast.

Complimentary Ticket (Comp) Policy: The following are eligible to receive two complimentary tickets during the run of a main stage show: members of the cast, students in key production positions (e.g. stage managers, designers, assistant designers, assistant directors), scene shop assistants, departmental faculty, and select college administrators (e.g. president of the college, deans of the faculty). The faculty or student director of a main stage show is eligible for two complimentary tickets per performance during the run of a production.

Policy for Use of the Bruce Davis Theater: The following must appear on all advertising for a non-TFMS event that takes place in the Bruce Davis Theater: "[title of event] is sponsored [or co-sponsored] by [name(s) of organization(s)]." For example, "The Burlesque Club's performance of [insert name/title of performance] is sponsored by SGA."

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