Introduction to the BFA Acting for Theatre, Film & Television Program

The LIU Brooklyn BFA Acting program is designed for students interested in rigorous, studio training in Acting for Theatre, Film, and Television. Located in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, the program works in collaboration with The New Group, one of Off-Broadway's most respected theatre companies, to provide a comprehensive education with practical, professional applications.

Program Overview

The BFA Acting program offers personalized attention and a course of study that is tailored to each student's needs. With fewer than 75 students, the program provides an immersive education in various styles of performance, including Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov, and Sanford Meisner (Acting); Kristin Linklater (Voice); Laban, Gratowski, and Bhutto (Movement). The program presents students with an inclusive approach, rather than focusing on a single technique, instructors are encouraged to expose students to multiple techniques and to craft an acting/voice/movement technique that works for the individual actor.

New Group Partnership

The LIU Brooklyn BFA Acting program offers Acting, Voice, and Movement classes in partnership with The New Group, a renowned Off-Broadway theatre company based in Manhattan. Students travel into midtown Manhattan three times weekly to study with accomplished actors and directors, all of whom are working members of the acting industry and have extensive educational credentials.

Preparing the Working Actor/Entrepreneur

In addition to the Studio sequence, BFA Acting students are required to enroll in complementary on-campus courses in the major, designed to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the many facets of being a working actor.

On-Camera Performance

Students are required to take four semesters of On-Camera Performance -- two semesters of technique and two semesters of scene study. This sequence culminates in the production of a short film, providing students with footage that can be utilized for their acting reels.

The Business of Acting

Starting in the first semester, students learn how to navigate the business side of the performance industry, with practical courses designed to prepare students for the day after graduation. These courses include four semesters of the Business of Acting (Audition Preparation, Marketing the Actor In the Digital Sphere, and the Actor as Self-Producer); eight semesters of Production Lab (a weekly seminar with members of acting-adjacent industries); two semesters of Senior Capstone (a student-produced public performance showcasing the full spectrum of the student's BFA Acting career) and a Senior Showcase (a professionally-produced live and virtual showcase presented to New York City-based agents and casting directors).

The Student as a New York Actor

The BFA Acting program acknowledges the unique opportunities presented to our students as a result of our proximity to New York City and the Broadway community. Students are encouraged to audition for off-campus projects, and to begin their careers as New York actors from the moment they arrive on campus. The Program offers flexibility regarding off-campus acting work, and instructors and administrators are encouraged to assist students as they pursue opportunities outside of the BFA Program.

Location and Community

Surrounding the LIU Brooklyn campus is a flourishing and continuously expanding arts and cultural community, including:

• Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)
• Theatre for a New Audience
• Brooklyn Arts Exchange
• Brooklyn Information and Culture (BRIC)
• Steiner Studios
• Mark Morris Dance Center

How to Apply

The LIU BFA Acting for Theatre, Film and Television Program is a dual-acceptance program - students must be accepted by the University, and by the BFA Acting program. To begin the application process:

1. Complete the Long Island University Quick App
2. Receive your LIU Application Number
3. Submit your pre-screen audition materials through Acceptd
4. If your pre-screen materials are accepted, you will be contacted to complete a virtual audition

Major Requirements

The following courses are required for the BFA Acting for Theatre, Film & Television program:

• TFT 210: Theatre History and Play Analysis
• TFT 202 A, B, C: Studio I - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 212 A, B, C: Studio II - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 222 A, B, C: Studio III - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 223 A, B, C: Studio IV - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 224 A, B, C: Studio V - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 225 A, B, C: Studio VI - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 230: The Contemporary Performance Industry
• TFT 231: Business of Theatre, Film and Television
• TFT 280: Performance in 21st Century Theatre and Media
• TFT 287: Film and Television Studies
• TFT 288: Production Lab I
• TFT 289: Production Lab II
• TFT 290: Production Lab III
• TFT 291: Production Lab IV
• TFT 292: Production Lab V
• TFT 293: Production Lab VI
• TFT 294: Production Lab VII
• TFT 295: Production Lab VIII
• TFT 296: Internship
• TFT 297: Capstone I
• TFT 298: Capstone II
• TFT 299: Showcase
• THE 291: On-Camera Performance I
• THE 292: On-Camera Performance II
• THE 293: On-Camera Performance III

Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

The program is designed to meet the following ILOs:

1. Creative and Reflective Capacities: Openness to new ideas, integrative and reflective thinking, investigation, and synthesis of existing knowledge as a way of creating, appreciating, and reflecting on original, innovative work grounded in scientific, humanistic, historical, and/or aesthetic disciplinary knowledge.
2. Historical and Intercultural Awareness: Recognition of oneself as a member of a global community consisting of diverse cultures with unique histories and geographies.
3. Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning: Competence in interpreting numerical and scientific data in order to draw conclusions, construct meaningful arguments, solve problems, and gain a better understanding of complex issues within a discipline or in everyday contexts.
4. Oral and Written Communication: Knowledge and skill in exchanging informed and well-reasoned ideas in effective and meaningful ways through a range of media to promote full understanding for various purposes, among different audiences and in a variety of contexts and disciplines.
5. Information and Technological Literacies: Ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and effectively and responsibly use and share that information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.
6. Critical Inquiry and Analysis: Reflective assessment and critique of evidence, applying theory, and practicing discernment in the analysis of existing ideas and in the production of new knowledge across a broad array of fields or disciplines.
7. Ethical Reasoning and Civic Engagement: Evaluation of ethical issues in conduct and thinking, development of ethical self-awareness, consideration of various perspectives, and responsible and humane engagement in local and global communities.

Courses

The following courses are offered as part of the BFA Acting for Theatre, Film & Television program:

• TFT 202A: Studio I - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 202B: Studio 1: Voice
• TFT 202C: Studio 1: Movement
• TFT 210: Theatre History and Play Analysis
• TFT 212A: Studio II - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 212B: Studio 2: Voice
• TFT 212C: Studio 2: Movement
• TFT 222A: Studio III - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 222B: Studio 3: Voice
• TFT 222C: Studio 3: Movement
• TFT 223A: Studio IV - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 223B: Studio 4: Voice
• TFT 223C: Studio 4: Movement
• TFT 224A: Studio IV - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 224B: Studio 5: Voice
• TFT 224C: Studio 5: Movement
• TFT 225A: Studio VI - Acting, Voice and Movement
• TFT 225B: Studio 6: Voice
• TFT 225C: Studio 6: Movement
• TFT 230: The Contemporary Performance Industry - Audition Prep
• TFT 231: Business of Theatre, Film and Television
• TFT 244: On-Camera Performance IV
• TFT 260: Television Production I
• TFT 280: Performance in 21st Century Theatre and Media
• TFT 287: Film and Television Studies
• TFT 288: Production Lab I
• TFT 289: Production Lab II
• TFT 290: Production Lab III
• TFT 291: Production Lab IV
• TFT 292: Production Lab V
• TFT 293: Production Lab VI
• TFT 294: Production Lab VII
• TFT 295: Production Lab VIII
• TFT 296: Internship
• TFT 297: Capstone I
• TFT 298: Capstone II
• TFT 299: Showcase
• THE 111: The Art of Theatre
• THE 221: Introduction to Playwriting
• THE 291: On-Camera Performance I
• THE 293: On-Camera Performance III
• THE 294: On-Camera Performance IV
• THE 361: Directing I

---

Overview:

• Founded in 1926 as the Brooklyn Law School
• Expanded to become Long Island University in 1954
• Currently has 6 campuses across New York State
• Enrolls over 20,000 students
• Notable achievements:
  • Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report
  • Recognized for its strong programs in business, education, and health sciences
  • Home to the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, one of the largest pharmacy schools in the country

---

Student Life:

Extracurricular Activities:

Over 200 student clubs and organizations, including academic, cultural, social, and recreational groups

Clubs:

Examples include the Student Government Association, the Black Student Union, and the International Student Association

Sports Teams:

NCAA Division I athletics in 16 sports, including basketball, football, and soccer

• Student Support Services:

  • Academic Advising
  • Career Counseling
  • Health and Wellness Center
  • Counseling and Psychological Services

• Campus Facilities:

  • Modern academic buildings
  • State-of-the-art athletic facilities
  • Student centers with dining, recreation, and study spaces
  • On-campus housing available at most campuses

---

Academics:

• Academic Resources:

  • Over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs
  • Faculty of over 1,000 full-time and part-time professors
  • Research centers and institutes in various fields

• Teaching Methodologies:

  • Traditional lectures
  • Small group discussions
  • Hands-on learning experiences
  • Online and hybrid courses

• Academic Support Services:

  • Tutoring
  • Writing Center
  • Math Lab

• Unique Academic Programs or Initiatives:

  • Honors College
  • Global Studies Program
  • Experiential Learning Program

---

Top Reasons to Study Here:

Reputation:

Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report

Specialized Facilities:

State-of-the-art facilities for health sciences, business, and education

Industry Connections:

Partnerships with leading companies and organizations

Notable Alumni:

Includes politicians, business leaders, and entertainers, such as former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and actor Alec Baldwin

---

Services:

Counseling:

Counseling and Psychological Services provides individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention

Health:

Health and Wellness Center offers medical care, vaccinations, and health education

Housing:

On-campus housing available at most campuses, including traditional dorms, apartments, and townhouses

Library Resources:

Over 1 million volumes in the university libraries, as well as access to online databases and research tools

Technology Support:

IT Help Desk provides technical assistance and support for students

Career Development:

Career Services offers resume writing, interview preparation, and job search assistance