Theatre, BFA
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre
Students pursuing this major select one of eight 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
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 General and 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
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