Program Overview

Bachelors of Dramatic Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts is designed to help students develop the skills and experience needed to thrive in today's entertainment industry. This program focuses on training performers, writers, and technicians to succeed both on stage and on screen.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts provides a comprehensive view of the performing arts process, allowing students to explore not only theater performance but also performance for film, television, and digital media. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in multiple areas of the production process, including acting, writing, directing, and designing.

Experiential Learning

The program offers experiential learning opportunities, including performances each semester and valuable internship opportunities. Students will collaborate with experienced professors and local professionals in state-of-the-art theaters and performance spaces.

Theaters and Facilities

Students will have access to fully equipped theaters and performance spaces, including the Buena Vista Theater and Aula Canaria Theater. These venues feature professional lighting and sound systems, tiered seating, elevated stages, and classroom technology for lectures and workshops. The Film and Media Production Hub provides creative resources, including high-quality lighting, sound, and camera equipment, alongside two filming studios with green and blue screens.

Admission Requirements

There are no additional admission requirements to declare this major. Students must meet the university's general admission requirements.

Scholarships

The university offers various scholarships, including the Distinguished Scholarship, which is an automatic merit-based scholarship for incoming new freshman and transfer students who display exceptional scholastic achievement. The UT San Antonio Bold Promise also covers tuition and mandatory fees 100% for eligible students who come from low and middle-income Texas families.

Careers, Salary & Skills

The program prepares students for future careers that are in demand. Possible careers include:

• Actor
• Writer
• Director
• Designer
• Technician

Minors & Certificates

Students can choose from a variety of minors and certificates to supplement their education, including:

• Minors in related fields
• Certificates in specialized areas

Featured Courses

The program offers a variety of engaging courses, including:

• Foundation Courses:
  • Acting I
  • Introduction to Stagecraft
  • Playwriting
• Performance Courses:
  • Ballet I
  • Jazz and Musical Theater Dance
  • Acting for the Screen
• Technology and Design Courses:
  • Lighting and Cinematography
  • Sound for Film/Media
  • Costume Design & Technology
• Storytelling Courses:
  • Topics in Creative Writing
  • Narrative Structures across Media
  • Screenwriting Workshop
• History and Theory Courses:
  • History of Dance
  • Shakespeare: The Early Plays
  • History of the American Musical Theater
• Dramatic Arts and Technology Practice:
  • Digital Video Production
  • Teaching Stagecraft and Dramatic Technology
  • Directing for the Stage

The Honors Experience

The university's Honors College offers a hands-on, project-based learning experience that allows students to realize their full potential. Students in any major can be invited to the Honors College, which provides opportunities to turn passions into marketable skills for the future.