Theatre, BFA

for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre

Students pursuing this major select one of nine concentrations:

The curricular concentrations in the Department of Theatre provide extensive preparation for the rigorous demands of a professional career in the theatre and allied arts.

The BFA is an intensive undergraduate professional training curriculum with concentrations in Acting, Costume Design and Technology, Lighting Design and Technology, Scenic Design, Scenic Technology, Sound Design and Technology, Stage Management, and Theatre Studies.  The Theatre Studies concentration is intended for students who want to explore the many facets of theatre or plan to pursue advanced training in directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, arts management, social issues theatre, and theatre history and criticism. 

As part of the application process, prospective students must complete an interview and participate in auditions or portfolio reviews. Acting applicants should bring a resume/headshot and present 2 contrasting monologues of no more than 2 minutes each for their audition.  Applicants who wish to pursue one of the concentrations in Design, Technology, or Management should bring a resume and a portfolio showing examples of their theatrical work, which can include a range of interests and experiences.  Applicants who intend to pursue the Theatre Studies Concentration should present a writing portfolio that includes a resume and a short essay on theatre or another short, written creative work.   

In the second year of study in the department, BFA Acting students are evaluated for promotion into the advanced studio classes in acting (Junior and Senior years).  In addition to successful completion of all classes in their first and second years, acceptance will be based on each student’s potential for professional-caliber performance.

As one of the Resident Producing Organizations at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the Department of Theatre produces six or seven fully mounted productions each academic year.  The theatres, rehearsal halls and shops of the Krannert Center serve as laboratories for theatre students, who have the opportunity to learn and to work alongside an outstanding staff of resident theatre professionals and visiting artists.  In addition, the department sponsors a small experimental theatre space for student-written and student-directed productions.

All theatre majors must successfully complete production crew assignments at the Krannert Center under THEA 100 (Practicum I) and THEA 200 (Practicum II). Students working on Department of Theatre productions in their specific concentration area also take THEA 300 (Practicum III) or THEA 400 (Practicum IV).  Design, Technology, and Management concentration students will also receive practicum credit for working on productions in Lyric Theatre, Department of Dance and Events.

for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours.
Twelve hours of 300 and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
fulfilled by THEA 304
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
fulfilled by THEA 122 & THEA 208
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15

 Core Requirements for all Theatre Majors

FAA 101Arts at Illinois1
THEA 100Practicum I2
THEA 200Practicum II2
THEA 121Theatre Foundations: Performance3
THEA 122Theatre Foundations: Theory and Practice3
THEA 123Theatre Foundations: Production3
THEA 20821st Century Dramaturgy3
THEA 304Global Theatre Performance3
THEA 364Topics in Theatre History3
THEA 404Professional Career Development1
Total Hours24

Required Concentration

Choose one below:
Acting
Arts & Entertainment Technology
Costume Design & Technology
Lighting Design & Technology
Scenic Design
Scenic Technology
Sound Design & Technology
Stage Management
Theatre Studies
Total Hours49-52

General Non-Theatre Electives

General Non-Theatre Electives9

Summary of Credits for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre

General Education Requirements
Core Requirements for All Theatre Majors24
Concentration Requirements49-52
General Non-Theatre Electives9
Free Electives as needed to total 128 hours
Total Credits for BFA in Theatre128

for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
THEA 1001THEA 1001
THEA 1213THEA 1223
FAA 1011Concentration Requirement3
Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level)4Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level)4
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
 15 17
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
THEA 2001THEA 2001
THEA 1233THEA 2083
Concentration Requirement3Concentration Requirement3
Concentration Requirement2Concentration Requirement2
General Education course3General Education course3
General Education course3General Education course3
 15 15
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
THEA 3043THEA 3643
Concentration Requirement3Concentration Requirement3
Concentration Requirement3Concentration Requirement3
Concentration Requirement3Concentration Requirement3
General Education course3Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3Free Elective course3
 18 18
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
THEA 4041Concentration Requirement3
Concentration Requirement3Concentration Requirement3
Concentration Requirement3Concentration Requirement3
Concentration Requirement3Concentration Requirement2
General Non-Theatre Elective3General Non-Theatre Elective3
General Non-Theatre Elective3 
 16 14
Total Hours 128

for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre

  1. Demonstrates a mature, effective ability to analyze, interpret, write critically and creatively, and discuss thoughtfully in the field of theatre.
  2. Demonstrates the practical application of learned methodologies including the ability to communicate ideas, concepts, and requirements in order to successfully fulfill the work of a theatre artist.
  3. Demonstrates necessary skills and knowledge to acquire an entry-level position in the theatre field (with additional training for area-specific tracks) showing the capacity to work and solve problems independently and with initiative.
  4. Demonstrates practical application of learned methodologies including the ability to communicate ideas, concepts, and outcomes of creative research. 

for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre

Department of Theatre

Department Head: Valleri Robinson
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Cynthia Kocher
Theatre Department website
Theatre Department faculty

College of Fine & Applied Arts

Fine & Applied Arts website

Admissions

Overview of the College of Fine & Applied Arts Admissions & Requirements
University of Illinois Undergrad Admissions
admissions@illinois.edu