BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
The Bachelor of Fine Arts offers more intensive training in three areas of concentration: acting, musical theatre, and design and technical production, giving advanced, highly disciplined students the tools necessary to pursue a career on stage or screen.
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, including directing, playwriting, design, and technology. All courses are taught by a vibrant, distinguished faculty of working professionals, dedicated to partnering with students to achieve greater success, both at the University and in the world beyond.
From the first semester on campus, BFA students are provided considerable performance opportunities in the Mainstage and Studio seasons, as well as in a performance showcase tailored specifically for first-year students. With their extensive national and international connections, the faculty facilitates significant performance experiences each summer, including an ongoing internship with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and performance opportunities with the Teatro Nacionale in Havana, Cuba, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Texas Shakespeare Festival.
Throughout their academic career, students will also be exposed to the highest caliber of guest artists to enrich their training, including masterclasses with Broadway, television, and film casting directors, Hollywood directors, internationally recognized guest directors, and specialists in everything from Commedia to Swashbuckling. In their final year, students perform in Bama on Broadway, our NYC showcase, which has served as a successful bridge to the profession for many of our graduates.
ADMISSION PROCESS
Admission to the BFA Acting concentration is by audition and interview only. Auditions are held on campus each November and January, with dates published each fall on the department website. Students must complete the online application form (also on the website) and apply to The University of Alabama in order to be considered for admission. Students will be notified of acceptance and eligibility for possible departmental scholarship no later than February 1. If accepted, continuance is dependent upon satisfactory development, evaluated by the acting faculty at the end of each semester.
AUDITIONS
Please visit the departmental website for up-to-date, detailed information on the audition process.
GPA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Each student enrolled in a BFA concentration must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better in the major courses undertaken at The University of Alabama. Additional expectations and standards are set by each concentration.
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. The BFA is designed to prepare students for a professional career or graduate study in musical theatre. Please note, the Academic Common Market is not available to students in the BFA-MT concentration.
By studying Musical Theatre at UA, students will:
- work with a faculty of passionate, highly trained professionals.
- make valuable connections in professional musical theatre by participating in master classes and auditions here on campus.
- receive hands-on preparation for various employment opportunities through professional theatre conferences and on-campus auditions.
- have an invaluable, competitive edge with information and material that prepares students for a comprehensive career in the business aspects of musical theatre.
- have the opportunity to audition for participation in a senior showcase in NYC, performing for industry professionals.
- have the opportunity to perform as part of SummerTide Theatre (our professional theatre in Gulf Shores), and in student productions.
ADMISSION PROCESS
Admission to the BFA Musical Theatre concentration is by audition. Auditions are held on campus each November and January, with exact dates published annually on the departmental website. Students must complete the online application form (also on the website) and apply to The University of Alabama in order to be considered for admission. Students will be notified of acceptance, and eligibility for possible departmental scholarship, no later than February 1. If accepted, continuance is dependent upon satisfactory development, evaluated annually by the musical theatre faculty.
GPA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Each student enrolled in a BFA concentration must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better in the major courses undertaken at The University of Alabama. Additional expectations and standards are set by each concentration.
AUDITIONS
Please visit the departmental website for up-to-date information on the audition process.
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS: DESIGN AND TECHNICAL PRODUCTION CONCENTRATION
The BFA Design and Technical Production concentration at The University of Alabama 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. In addition to the required core theatre courses, the comprehensive curriculum includes all areas of design and technical production.
Beginning in their first year, students may be considered for a wide variety of production opportunities, including mainstage productions in the Marian Gallaway Theatre and MFA student-directed productions in the Allen Bales Theatre.
ADMISSION/RETENTION PROCESS
Admission to the BFA Design and Technical Production concentration is by portfolio review and interview only. Students must both fill out an application form for the Design and Technical Production concentration and apply to The University of Alabama. There are two Audition/Interview Days on campus each year, one in November and one in January. Individual interviews can also be arranged. If admitted, students will be notified no later than February 1. Once accepted into the program, continuance is contingent on an annual evaluation by members of the Design and Technical Production faculty.