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

Program Overview

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The B.F.A. in Theatre Arts, with an acting concentration, provides pre-professional training for aspiring actors. Through rigorous coursework, hands-on experience, and mentorship from experienced faculty, students develop their performance skills, theatrical knowledge, and professional readiness for careers in acting, directing, and other theatre-related fields. The program culminates in a senior showcase, showcasing students' acquired talents to industry professionals.

Program Outline

It requires an audition and interview for admission and continuation is based on faculty assessments and completion of programmatic requirements.

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Learning Objectives:

• Develop students' performance skills in voice, movement, and acting for stage and screen.
• Train students in theatre history, theory, and criticism.
• Provide hands-on experience in all aspects of theatrical production, including design, technology, and management.
• Prepare students for professional careers in acting, directing, playwriting, and other theatre-related fields.

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Program Description:

The B.F.A. in Theatre Arts, with an acting concentration, offers a rigorous and immersive curriculum designed to cultivate talented actors. Students receive training in various disciplines such as voice, movement, acting techniques, theatre history, and script analysis. Additionally, the program emphasizes practical experience through performance labs, acting period styles workshops, and opportunities in student and faculty productions. The B.F.A. program culminates in a senior showcase, providing an avenue for students to demonstrate their acquired skills and talent to industry professionals.

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Outline:

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Program Content and Structure:

• The curriculum consists of a total of 130 credit hours, spanning four years of study.
• Courses include a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and rehearsals.
• Strong emphasis on hands-on experience through acting labs, student productions, and professional internships.

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Course Schedule and Module Descriptions:

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First Year (16 Credit Hours):

• Practicum courses in scenery, properties, lighting, sound, costume, makeup, and house management (4 hours)
• Voice for the Actor (3 hours)
• Principles of Acting I & II (6 hours)
• Theatre Appreciation (3 hours)
• Movement for the Performer (3 hours)
• English Composition I & II (6 hours)
• Mathematics/Logic requirement (3 hours)

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Second Year (16 Credit Hours):

• Make-Up for Stage and Screen (1 hour)
• Auditioning (3 hours)
• Theatre in the Community (3 hours)
• Script Analysis (3 hours)
• Major acting role in a mainstage or lab production (1 hour)
• United States history or Texas history (3 hours)
• Advanced Voice or Movement for the Actor (3 hours)
• Elements of Theatrical Design (3 hours)
• Language, Philosophy & Culture requirement (3 hours)
• Required B.F.A.
Elective (3 hours)

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Summer Session I (6 Credit Hours):

• Performance Lab I & II (6 hours)

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Third Year (16 Credit Hours):

• Acting Period Styles I or II (3 hours)
• History of Theatre I & II (6 hours)
• Advanced Speech for the Actor (3 hours)
• American Government (3 hours)
• Required B.F.A.
Electives (4 hours)

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Spring (15 Credit Hours):

• Advanced Theatre Activities: House Management (1 hour)
• Texas Politics and Topics (3 hours)
• Acting Period Styles III (3 hours)
• Required B.F.A.
Elective (2 hours)
• Advanced Voice or Movement for the Actor (3 hours)

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Fourth Year (16 Credit Hours):

• Acting Period Styles I or II (3 hours)
• Professional Career Management (2 hours)
• Stage Directing Methods (3 hours)
• Oral Communication requirement (3 hours)
• Life and Physical Sciences requirement (4 hours)

Electives (17 credit hours) :

• Students choose a total of 17 credit hours from a range of courses, including dance classes, theatre production courses, theatre history and criticism courses, acting workshops, and performance opportunities.

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

• Faculty observation and evaluation of performance in rehearsals and performances
• Written assignments, including script analysis, research projects, and critical essays
• Participation in class discussions and group projects

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Assessment Criteria:

• Artistic growth and development in acting skills
• Understanding of theatrical principles and history
• Ability to work collaboratively in a theatrical production setting
• Critical thinking and analytical writing abilities

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Small class sizes and personalized instruction from experienced theatre professionals
• Emphasis on active learning through practical exercises, rehearsals, and performances
• Guest lectures from renowned actors, directors, and playwrights
• Collaboration with other disciplines within the School of Theatre and Dance

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Faculty:

• All faculty members hold terminal degrees in theatre arts or related fields.
They possess significant professional experience in various areas of the theatre industry and bring their expertise into the classroom.

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Careers:

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Potential Careers:

• Professional actor in theatre, film, and television
• Theatre director
• Playwright
• Theatre educator
• Stage manager

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Career Opportunities:

• Regional and national theatres
• Broadway and Off-Broadway productions
• Film and television productions
• Theatre companies and organizations
• Educational institutions

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Career Outcomes:

• Graduates of the B.F.A.
in Theatre Arts, with an acting concentration, have achieved successful careers on stage and screen. Theatre Arts uses the following courses for this requirement:
• THA 3308 - Performance Lab I
• THA 3309 - Performance Lab II
• THA 3351 - Theatre in the Community

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Performing in Major Acting roles:

During their undergraduate career, students are encouraged to pursue acting opportunities in student and faculty productions. This provides practical experience and builds their performance repertoire.