Theatre Arts: Acting Concentration, B.F.A.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Theatre is to prepare students to pursue lives as engaged professional theatre artists, to seek further advanced study in graduate programs and/or to apply their liberal arts/theatre studies to the career of their choice. The program does this by providing rigorous training in acting, musical theatre, physical theatre, and design and production for our majors.

Students enrolled in theatre are expected to develop the knowledge, skills, concepts, and sensitivities essential to the life of the theatre professional. In any of many possible roles, the theatre professional must exhibit not only technical competence, but also broad knowledge of theatre, sensitivity to artistic style, and an insight into the role of theatre in the life of humankind.

In pursuit of the purpose, the program embraces the teacher-scholar model, it places primary emphasis on high quality teaching and engaged learning, and it supports faculty research, creative activities, and expert collaboration in the community, state, nation, and world. This focus enables faculty and staff to mentor students in collaborative research, creative opportunities, and internships.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who earn the B.F.A. in theatre arts will be expected to:

1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge of theatre history, dramatic literature, performance and stagecraft. Demonstrate comprehension of essential concepts in the area of specialization (e.g. design/production, acting, musical theatre, physical theatre).
2. Demonstrate technical skills and applied knowledge appropriate for entry to the profession in the area of specialization.
3. Demonstrate the ability to think conceptually/analytically about works of theatre and to effectively communicate ideas.
4. Synthesize knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding in theatrical production.

All theatre majors must participate in end of the year portfolio reviews and/or juries. All students will be given a written evaluation that clearly states their standing in the program. Should the student fail to achieve the standards as set forth in the review process the student may be asked to leave the Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre major by the end of their sophomore year.

All acting and physical theatre majors must audition for all departmental productions.

A grade of ‘C’ or better must be earned in each of the major requirements courses.