The Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Major in Theatre is an intensive pre-professional curriculum that combines foundational studies, rigorous training and extensive production assignments. The B.F.A. program is divided into two areas: a) performance and b) design and technical theatre including stage management.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the performance program must: 1) satisfy the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University; 2) complete a minimum of forty-five credits, including all program-specific prerequisite courses; 3) be selected for the program through an audition process. Admissions to the performance program typically take place at the end of the Fall semester of a student's sophomore year.

Students seeking admission to the design and technical theatre program must satisfy the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University and be selected for the program through an interview with the faculty.

Program Requirements

Candidates must complete a minimum of 120 credits in course work, including satisfaction of the University General Education requirements, College degree requirements, and seventy-seven credits in theatre courses including the major requirements listed below. The minimum grade for each course required in the major, which must be taken in the Department of Theatre, must be no less than a C-minus in order for the course credit to count toward completion of the degree. B.F.A students must comply with the following department policies – any student who does not meet these standards will be placed on Departmental probation and may be denied continuation in the program: the seventy-seven credits in specified Theatre courses must be completed with grades of C minus or better and a minimum of 3.0 Theatre major g.p.a must be maintained. Students must be current in their plan of work and all Basic Competency courses must be completed prior to enrolling in the Capstone course.Departmental information published in this Bulletin is intended for use in conjunction with advising, but in all cases, regardless of advice given, students are responsible for meeting and satisfying requirements as set forth in this Bulletin.

All course work must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the University and the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts governing undergraduate scholarship  and  degrees, as well as with the requirements of the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance.  

General Education Course Progress: Majors must complete the Basic Composition (BC) and Quantitative Experience (QE) requirement by the time forty-five credits have been earned, the Oral Communication (OC) and Intermediate Composition (IC) requirement by the time sixty credits have been earned. Failure to meet these limits on matriculation will result in the student being placed on departmental probation: the student will be ineligible to be cast in or participate as a member of the artistic/production staff of department productions. Transfer students will be reviewed upon entry into the major for compliance with these standards and advised as needed.

B.F.A. – Performance

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Placement by test scores. Must take ENG 1010 first if: ACT English < 21, SAT EBRW < 520, or SAT Writing < 480.

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See the General Education of the Undergraduate Bulletin for other QE options.

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If THR 2301 isn't offered, THR 2611 or THR 5311 can be substituted in its place.

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THR 2581 course can be taken a max of 3 times. THR 2582, THR 3582 and THR 3583 courses can be taken as Theatre Electives. Students must complete a minimum of 6 THR 2581, THR 2582, THR 3582, or THR 3583 courses (may vary for transfer students).
Actors must complete at least 1 non-Performance Theatre Studio.

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This class is a prerequisite to enter the BFA in Acting concentration.

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If minoring in Musical Theatre

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Electives taken in Dance Technique may be repeated. Advancement to the next level is based upon skill level evaluated by the Dance Program Faculty. 

Elective Courses

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All courses in the department could serve as an elective in consultation with an academic advisor.

B.F.A. – Design and Technical Theatre

¹

Placement by test scores. Must take ENG 1010 first if: ACT English < 21, SAT EBRW < 520, or SAT Writing < 480.

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See the General Education of the Undergraduate Bulletin for other QE options.

Elective Courses

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Additional Design/Tech/Management Electives  may be taken in consultation with design area mentor.

In order to enter the Departmental honors program students must have achieved academic excellence in previous work, such as a high school g.p.a. of 3.5 or a college or university g.p.a. of 3.3. Students must meet all regular major requirements including: the three of the following honors-option courses within their major taught by full-time faculty members (internships cannot satisfy this requirement),  at least one 4000-level seminar offered through the Liberal Arts Honors Program, a senior honors thesis under the direction of a faculty advisor in their major area (THR 4998) and maintain a minimum g.p.a. of 3.3 cumulative and in the major.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Departmental Honors in Theatre (fifteen credits)

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HON 4200-4280 Honors Seminars (select one)

Student must maintain an overall 3.3 g.p.a.

For additional information, students should consult the Irvin D. Reid Honors College.