Program Overview

Theatre, BFA

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre offers intensive training in three areas of concentration: Acting, Musical Theatre, and Design and Technical Production. This program provides advanced, highly disciplined students with the tools necessary to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

Admission Requirements

• All applicants interested in pursuing one of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Concentrations must participate in an audition/interview with the Department of Theatre and Dance.
• A University of Alabama grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better is required for each student enrolled in a BFA concentration.
• BFA students must earn a "C" or better in all courses they take for the BFA.

BFA Program Concentrations

Bachelor of Fine Arts: Acting Concentration

This concentration provides a rigorously structured sequence of study designed to support the actor in the development of a solid base of technique in a wide array of acting styles and methods. The curriculum is complemented by intensive training in movement and voice for the stage, and augmented by advanced study in all areas of theatre.

• Continuance in the program is dependent upon satisfactory development, evaluated by the Acting faculty at the end of each semester.
• A qualifying assessment at the end of the first semester of the sophomore year includes assessments in acting, voice, and movement by the Acting faculty.

Bachelor of Fine Arts: Musical Theatre Concentration

The Musical Theatre concentration is committed to fostering a student's talent and technique in the three pillars of musical theatre: acting, singing, and dancing. Students enjoy the advantage of being part of a vibrant liberal arts community with the added benefit of more intimate class sizes.

• Continuance in the program is dependent upon satisfactory development, evaluated by the Musical Theatre faculty at the end of each semester.
• A qualifying assessment at the end of the first semester of the sophomore year includes assessments in voice, acting, dance, and musicianship by the Musical Theatre faculty.

Bachelor of Fine Arts: Design and Technical Production Concentration

The BFA Design and Technical Production concentration is a rigorous program designed to prepare talented and highly disciplined students for work in professional theatre. It offers competitive training in a collaborative environment.

• Continuance in the program is dependent upon satisfactory development, evaluated by the Design and Technical Production faculty at the end of each semester.
• Evaluations include assessments of progress in classes and production assignments, as well as performance within these areas.

BFA Core Program Requirements

• All students interested in pursuing one of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Concentrations must participate in an audition/interview with the Department of Theatre and Dance.
• Practicums are required in all BFA Concentrations.
• A senior project or final presentation is required for any student graduating with a BFA degree.

Production Participation

• To participate in department-produced productions, enrollment at The University of Alabama is required, and the student must enroll in an approved course.

Curriculum Requirements

Theatre, BFA

• BFA Core Courses:
  • TH 114: Intro To The Theatre
  • TH 141: Acting I
  • TH 220 or TH 231: Fundamentals of Stagecraft or Beginning Costume Construction
  • TH 361 or TH 470: Beginning Directing or Arts Management
  • TH 451: Hist Of The Theatre I
  • TH 452: History Of The Theatre II
  • TH 191: Practicum I
  • TH 291: Practicum II
  • TH 391: Practicum III
  • TH 495: Senior Project
• Total Hours: 24

BFA Acting Concentration Requirements

• In addition to the BFA Core Program Requirements, students must complete:
  • TH 230: Stage Makeup
  • TH 240: Beginning Movement
  • TH 242: Acting II Intro to Scene Stud
  • TH 365: Stage Management
  • TH 440: Stage Movement III
  • TH 441: Advanced Scene Study
  • TH 442: Careers In Prof Theatre (Careers in Acting)
  • TH 444: Acting 5: Comedy and Film
  • TH 445: Acting 4: Shakespeare
  • TH 446: Adv Voice Speech Perform
  • TH 447: Stage Dialects
  • TH 448: Rehearsal Process
  • TH 482: Playwriting I Seminar
  • TH 498: Special Topics in Theatre
  • Electives: 14 hours
• Total Hours: 55

BFA Musical Theatre Concentration Requirements

• In addition to the BFA Core Program Requirements, students must complete:
  • MUSICAL THEATRE REQUIREMENTS:
    • TH 165: Musicianship Theatre Perform I
    • TH 166: Musicianship Theatre Perf II
    • THMT 174: Freshman Musical Theatre Voice
    • THMT 274: Sophomore MTVoice
    • THMT 374: Junior Musical Theatre Voice
    • THMT 474: Senior MTVoice (must be completed for a total of 2 credit hours)
  • TH 230: Stage Makeup
  • TH 242: Acting II Intro to Scene Stud
  • DN 221 or DN 222: Ballet Technique II-A or Ballet Technique II-B
  • DN 210: Dance Styles II
  • DN 310: Dance Styles III
  • DN 251 or DN 252: Jazz Technique II-A or Jazz Technique II-B
  • THMT 310: Musical Theatre History
  • TH 376: Musical Theatre Performance
  • TH 395: Theatre Careers
  • TH 467: Musicl Theatre Repertoire Coac
  • TH 448: Rehearsal Process
  • DANCE TECHNIQUE COURSES: One must be 300/400 level
  • Select 3 hours chosen from the following DN courses:
    • DN 121: Ballet Technique I-A
    • DN 122: Ballet Technique I-B
    • DN 221: Ballet Technique II-A
    • DN 222: Ballet Technique II-B
    • DN 321: Ballet Technique III-A
    • DN 322: Ballet Technique III-B
    • DN 421: Ballet Technique IV-A
    • DN 422: Ballet Technique IV-B
  • Select an additional 6 hours from the following DN courses:
    • DN 255: Beginning Tap Dance
    • DN 310: Dance Styles III (repeat)
    • DN 410: Advanced Tap Technique
    • DN 111: Modern Dance Technique I
    • DN 211: Modern Dance II-A
    • DN 212: Modern Dance II-B
    • DN 351: Jazz Technique III-A
    • DN 352: Jazz Technique III-B
    • DN 451: Jazz Technique IV-A
    • DN 452: Jazz Technique IV-B
  • Credit Hours Subtotal: 51
  • THEATRE PERFORMANCE COURSES: Select 6 hours from the following TH or THMT courses:
    • TH 240: Beginning Movement
    • TH 440: Stage Movement III
    • TH 441: Advanced Scene Study
    • TH 444: Acting 5: Comedy and Film
    • TH 445: Acting 4: Shakespeare
    • TH 447: Stage Dialects
  • Credit Hours Subtotal: 6
• Total Hours: 57

BFA Design and Technical Production Concentration Requirements

• In addition to the BFA Core Program Requirements, students must complete:
  • Required Core for Design/Technical Theatre (18 Hours):
    • TH 120: Principles Of Stage Design
    • TH 231 or TH 220: Beginning Costume Construction or Fundamentals of Stagecraft
    • TH 233: Beginning Costume Design
    • TH 322: Fund Of Stage Lighting
    • TH 422: Scene Design
    • TH 435: Presentation for Designers
  • Electives (Choose a minimum of 37 hours):
    • TH 230: Stage Makeup
    • TH 365: Stage Management
    • TH 415: Properties Construction
    • TH 416: Rigging Fundamentals
    • TH 419: Electricity and Electronics
    • TH 421: Period Decor
    • TH 423: Drafting For Theatre
    • TH 425: Scene Painting
    • TH 426: Sound Design
    • TH 427: Computer Drafting For Theatre
    • TH 428: Beginning Lighting Design
    • TH 432: Costume Constructn II
    • TH 433: Costume Design I
    • TH 436: Fabric Modification
    • TH 470 or TH 361: Arts Management or Beginning Directing
    • TH 491: Practicum IV
• Total Hours: 55

Continuance in the Program

• Continuance in the BFA program is based upon periodic assessments in the program of study.
• Students who do not make satisfactory progress in their concentration may be given the opportunity to continue in the Bachelor of Arts program (Theatre, BA) and will be subject to all requirements of that program.