Acting

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Acting is structured to provide an intensive study of the art and discipline of acting for the theatre.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will:

• Be able to “project themselves believably in word and action into imaginary circumstances” be those circumstances Shakespearean or in a commercial.
• Manifest an awareness of and the ability to effectively utilize the body and voice as the actor’s instruments of communication.
• Utilize and integrate theory and process in the creation of character.
• Exhibit the ability to analyze text as it relates to performance.
• Assemble, rehearse, and perform a suitable personal audition package.
• Articulate a pragmatic approach to the art, craft and business of the theatre.
• Have a portfolio that has charted their growth and accomplishments as performers.
• Demonstrate the advanced performance technique and acting practice to prepare them to fully inhabit any roles in which they are cast.

The reality of the profession is that actors need to be able to “project themselves believably in word and action into imaginary circumstances” whether those circumstances are Shakespearean or corporate in scope. Acting students need flexible technique that will support their work in large theaters or in front of a camera and microphone. They need to be familiar with the various opportunities that are available in which to ply their trade. The BFA in Theatre with a concentration in Acting provides this education through discipline-wide study in theatrical production, text analysis, and theatrical history; and it deepens this learning through sequenced classes in acting and improvisational skills, vocal and physical training, and career development. Through advanced capstone classes and a reflective portfolio process, the BFA student is given the opportunity to synthesize this learning in preparation for a career in professional theatre or study at the graduate level.

In the classroom, students work with a faculty of working professionals who bring their pragmatic approach to the art, craft, and business of theatre. This pragmatic approach prepares students to face the challenging realities of making a life in the performing arts.

BFA students are expected to participate in departmental productions as well as Senior Showcase and must maintain a portfolio that charts their growth and accomplishments as performers. Faculty members will regularly meet with each student to discuss progress and suggest directions for growth. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their major and show continued development as performers in order to continue in the program.

Students must maintain standards of performance.

Program Requirements  

Directing

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Directing is structured to provide an intensive study of the art and discipline of directing for theatre.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will:

• Demonstrate a broad knowledge in and appreciation for all areas of theatre practice.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the theory and practice of directing necessary for the preparation of a script, the planning and execution of rehearsals, and collaborating with actors and designers in the service of their direction of a full- length play.
• Demonstrate the organizational skills necessary to mount credible productions of scripted and original material.
• Demonstrate fluency in the discipline-wide study of theatrical production and design, vocal and physical training, acting skills and theatre history.
• Have directed a one-act play and at least one full- length play.
• Have a completed portfolio that has charted their growth and accomplishments as directors.

The Directing student, in selecting plays for production, can focus his or her experience on specific genres or styles of theatre that are of particular interest. Students are encouraged to select material that challenges their assumptions but engages their being. The BFA in Theatre with a concentration in Directing requires discipline-wide study in theatrical production and design, vocal and physical training, acting skills, and theatre history; and it deepens this learning through sequenced classes in directing, text analysis, and dramaturgy, as well as providing more opportunities for the student to direct full-length plays. Electives in Theatre Management, and in specific areas of theatre practice, provide breadth. Through advanced capstone classes and a reflective portfolio process, the BFA student is offered the opportunity to synthesize this learning in preparation for a career in professional theatre or study at the graduate level.

In the classroom, students work with a faculty of working professionals who bring their pragmatic approach to the art, craft, and business of theatre. In production, we stress collaboration as students work closely with their peers to rehearse and prepare plays for performance. The practical experience and responsibility of producing plays for performance is in itself a large step toward mastery; no other undergraduate program in the country that we know of offers the student more opportunities to put this work into practice.

BFA students are required to maintain a portfolio that charts their growth and accomplishments as directors. Faculty members will regularly meet with each student to discuss progress and suggest directions for growth. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their major and show continued development as directors in order to continue in the program.

Students must maintain standards of performance.

Program Requirements  

Musical Theatre Performance

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre Performance provides a rigorous, intensive, professionally oriented education in the skills and discipline of musical theatre.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will:

• Demonstrate a thoroughly integrated artistic approach to singing, acting, and dancing in musical theatre and integrate these disciplines in performance.
• Develop a thorough knowledge of dance terminology and practice proper dance technique in Ballet, Jazz and Tap, and Musical Theatre dance styles.
• Demonstrate a solid knowledge of musical theatre repertory and history and develop a strong understanding of how to approach research in these areas.
• Demonstrate vocal interpretation and musical role preparation skills.
• Cultivate successful audition technique and create a marketable audition package including a thorough understanding of the business of performing.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the importance of discipline and professionalism.
• Have a solid resume of musical theatre performances.

Working closely with the Music Department, we emphasize the synthesis of acting, singing, and dancing in order to prepare students for the demands of a field in which the “triple threat” performer often gets the job. Students take a sequence of courses in acting and theatre history, dance techniques and styles, singing and musicianship, as well as courses that integrate the individual areas of study.

At every opportunity, students are encouraged to put into practice what they are learning in the classroom through hands-on engagement in the preparation and presentation of performances produced in the department.

Students are encouraged to audition for musical theatre productions and non-musical plays. In the classroom, students work with a faculty of professionals in the field, who bring their expertise to the art, craft, and business of the theatre. This pragmatic approach prepares students to face the challenging realities of making a life in the performing arts.

Students graduate with knowledge of how to look for work, with the desire and ability to do the work, and with an understanding of the need to grow as an artist beyond graduation as they pursue a career in professional musical theatre or study at the graduate level.

BFA students are regularly evaluated to monitor their escalating levels of achievement, and faculty members meet regularly with students to discuss progress and suggest directions for growth. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their major and demonstrate continued development in order to continue in the BFA program.

Students must maintain standards of performance.

View the Requirements for this Concentration

Theatre Design

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Theatre Design is structured to provide an intensive study of the art and discipline of design for theatre.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will:

• Demonstrate and articulate a sophisticated understanding of how design works as a collaborative process that requires close co-operation between the designers, the director, technical team and performers on a theatrical production.
• Demonstrate familiarity with all three design disciplines (costume, lighting or scenic design).
• Demonstrate a fluent knowledge of technical theatre and theatrical drawing; including, rendering, and drafting.
• Articulate knowledge of art and theatre history and dramatic theory.
• Completed a professional-ready portfolio of work that can be used to seek admission to graduate school, or to seek work in the professional theatre.
• Successfully complete a capstone experience consisting of either a fully supported design opportunity or a professional internship.

Students can focus their study in the areas of costume, lighting, and scenic design, but at all times we stress the collaborative nature of the design process; and students must be familiar with all three design disciplines. The BFA in Design requires discipline-wide study in technical theatre, performance, theatre history, and text analysis; and it deepens that learning through sequenced classes in design and the collaborative process. Students may choose from a variety of electives focusing on technology, technical skills, electronic media, and the business of theatre. There are ample opportunities for design students to work on departmental productions, from the bare-bones workshop level to fully budgeted main stage shows. Through advanced capstone classes and a reflective portfolio process, the BFA student is provided with the opportunity to synthesize this learning in preparation for a career in professional theater or study at the graduate level.

In the classroom, students work with a faculty of working professionals who bring their pragmatic approach to the art, craft, and business of theatre. In fact, many of our Theatre Design students work with faculty members on projects outside the department as assistants or in a technical capacity, thus gaining valuable freelance experience in the business.

BFA students are expected to participate in departmental productions as well as Senior Showcase and must maintain a portfolio that charts their growth and accomplishments as designers. Faculty members will regularly meet with the student to discuss progress and suggest directions for growth. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their major and show continued development as designers in order to continue in the program.

Students must maintain standards of performance.

Program Requirements