Theatre, BFA
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre
Students pursuing this major select one of nine concentrations:
- Acting
- Arts & Entertainment Technology
- Costume Design & Technology
- Lighting Design & Technology
- Scenic Design
- Scenic Technology
- Sound Design & Technology
- Stage Management
- Theatre Studies
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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
fulfilled by THEA 304 | ||
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FAA 101 | Arts at Illinois | 1 |
| THEA 100 | Practicum I | 2 |
| THEA 200 | Practicum II | 2 |
| THEA 121 | Theatre Foundations: Performance | 3 |
| THEA 122 | Theatre Foundations: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| THEA 123 | Theatre Foundations: Production | 3 |
| THEA 208 | 21st Century Dramaturgy | 3 |
| THEA 304 | Global Theatre Performance | 3 |
| THEA 364 | Topics in Theatre History | 3 |
| THEA 404 | Professional Career Development | 1 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Required Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one below: | ||
| Total Hours | 49-52 | |
General Non-Theatre Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Non-Theatre Electives | 9 | |
Summary of Credits for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Core Requirements for All Theatre Majors | 24 | |
| Concentration Requirements | 49-52 | |
| General Non-Theatre Electives | 9 | |
| Free Electives as needed to total 128 hours | ||
| Total Credits for BFA in Theatre | 128 | |
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 Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| THEA 100 | 1 | THEA 100 | 1 |
| THEA 121 | 3 | THEA 122 | 3 |
| FAA 101 | 1 | Concentration Requirement | 3 |
| Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 | Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| THEA 200 | 1 | THEA 200 | 1 |
| THEA 123 | 3 | THEA 208 | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement | 3 | Concentration Requirement | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement | 2 | Concentration Requirement | 2 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| THEA 304 | 3 | THEA 364 | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement | 3 | Concentration Requirement | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement | 3 | Concentration Requirement | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement | 3 | Concentration Requirement | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| 18 | 18 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| THEA 404 | 1 | Concentration Requirement | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement | 3 | Concentration Requirement | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement | 3 | Concentration Requirement | 3 |
| Concentration Requirement | 3 | Concentration Requirement | 2 |
| General Non-Theatre Elective | 3 | General Non-Theatre Elective | 3 |
| General Non-Theatre Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours 128 | |||
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre
- Demonstrates a mature, effective ability to analyze, interpret, write critically and creatively, and discuss thoughtfully in the field of theatre.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Admissions
Overview of the College of Fine & Applied Arts Admissions & Requirements
University of Illinois Undergrad Admissions
admissions@illinois.edu