Theatre - Musical Theatre Emphasis (B.F.A.)

Student Success Advisor(s)

Sample Degree Plan

Program Summary

Purpose Statement

Our purpose is to encourage, promote, and sustain both a nurturing and challenging educational environment. Theatre arts at SUU engages all students in a set of diverse experiences intended to cultivate their aesthetic and creative potential while providing rigorous training within a chosen field. The central tenet of our purpose is to provide exceptional teaching with personalized mentorship that challenges, enables, and grows the learner to be a dynamic individual.

Intended Outcomes/Objectives for Bachelor of Fine Arts

Students completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of theatre including script analysis, theatre history, and dramatic literature;
• Critically evaluate works of theatre by placing them in appropriate historical context and evaluating the aesthetic components;
• Demonstrate fundamental skills necessary in the areas of classical acting, musical theatre, or design/technology;
• Demonstrate the professional attitudes and values of each discipline, which include respecting the collaborative process, meeting deadlines, punctuality, and professional responsibility;
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences through on-going oral and written presentations;
• Undergo evaluation by external reviews in several of the following ways: professional auditions; graduate school admissions; Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Adjudications; U/RTA Auditions, USITT portfolio reviews and internship placement; and
• Be prepared for advanced training or entrance into the profession.

Program Information

• B.F.A. students are expected to complete course-based performance assessment and must maintain a major-level GPA of 3.0 (“B” average) in theatre-based courses and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (“C” average).
• The program is committed to student success and therefore will admit students who have the skill and, most importantly, the commitment to be successful in this professional degree program. Therefore, all student candidates for the proposed degree must interview and undergo either an audition or portfolio review depending on their desired area of emphasis. This review process is conducted by a faculty panel.
• The department requires every B.F.A. theatre student to complete an annual interview and/or performance jury review with a panel made up of the theatre faculty.
• B.F.A. students will complete a significant internship during their course of study. This important practical component to the degree helps ensures students are ready to enter their chosen profession.
• All students complete a Capstone which will develop original scholarship that critically evaluates and analyzes their creative practice through a written and oral defense presentation to faculty within their discipline.
• Exit interviews will be held for all graduating seniors.
• Every student is required to abide by the policies and procedures set up in the Departmental Student Handbook (see www.suu.edu/pva/ta/pdf/student-handbook.pdf).

Admission Requirements

The B.F.A. admission process seeks evidence that each applicant possess the talent, artistic and collaborative sensibility, and most importantly, a strong sense of commitment to be successful in the program. Candidates for the B.F.A. degree will interview with faculty and undergo either an audition or portfolio review, depending on their desired emphasis area. Students may audition for entry into the B.F.A. program upon admission to the university, or after completing their freshman year in Theatre Arts. Students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year are not eligible for admission to the B.F.A. program without chair approval.