Theatre, Musical Theatre, B.F.A.

Students may pursue a B.F.A. Theatre degree with a concentration in Acting, Design/Technology (Costume Design or Scenic/Lighting Design), Directing, or Musical Theatre. The B.F.A. is a pre-professional degree for students intending to commit to the pursuit of a career in the entertainment industry as undergraduates. B.F.A. students fulfill the university’s liberal arts requirements, but take all their additional coursework in theatre and their specific concentration.

Students seeking admission to the B.F.A. program must:

• pass a screening examination by the Theatre faculty during the sophomore year or, for transfer students, after one semester at UM to continue on the B.F.A. degree track. A student can audition again if not initially accepted, but no more than three times;
• have completed THEA 120 /122  (not required for Musical Theatre), 213 , 250 , 361  (not required for Costume Design), and/or 270  unless approved by their advisor to audition;
• demonstrate an aptitude and serious commitment in the chosen concentration area and;
• maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in all Theatre courses.

* Students seeking the B.F.A. with a concentration in Acting, Musical Theatre and Directing are required to audition for all departmental mainstage productions.

* Students seeking the B.F.A. with a concentration in Design and Technology are required to interview for production positions on all departmental mainstage productions, as well as attend required annual portfolio reviews.

* A Senior Project (THEA 465) is required of every candidate for the B.F.A. Theatre degree. Specific guidelines for projects are available in the Theatre Department office.

In addition to completing the General Education core, the B.F.A. concentration in Musical Theatre requires 77 credit hours. A total of 127 credit hours are required to graduate.