Theatre: Acting, BFA
Overview
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Acting Concentration
Acting Concentration
The BFA in Acting concentration provides intensive training for work across stage and screen. In the first and second years, students build a foundation in ensemble collaboration, acting techniques and fundamentals, and voice and movement, with additional coursework in audition preparation, musical theatre, and stage combat. In the upper division courses, students pursue advanced training through coursework in Shakespeare, acting for the camera, acting styles, and showcase/business of acting, with opportunities to select from rotating acting electives. Throughout the program, students continue training in voice and speech, movement, and dialects, and are expected to audition for department productions and perform as cast.
In the first and second years, students are introduced to foundational techniques and ensemble collaboration. Building on this foundation, students in the third and fourth years continue their training in the Illinois Theatre Acting Studio, which includes classes in acting, voice and speech, and movement, along with specialized training in stage combat and dialects.
Students engage in scene work from modern and contemporary plays, musical theatre, Shakespeare, and acting for the camera. Through vocal and physical integration, collaboration, and bold storytelling across various styles and texts, students are encouraged to approach their craft in a healthy, sustainable manner while embracing innovative and daring artistry. From the second year onward, students participate in auditioning for department productions.
Degree Requirements
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Acting Concentration
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 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 | 2 |
| 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 | 23 | |
Acting Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THEA 150 | Movement for the Actor 1 | 2 |
| THEA 170 | Acting 1 | 3 |
| THEA 175 | Acting 2 | 3 |
| THEA 185 | Audition Lab | 2 |
| THEA 205 | Voice for the Actor 1 | 2 |
| THEA 250 | Movement for the Actor 2 | 2 |
| THEA 270 | Acting 3 | 3 |
| THEA 280 | Voice for the Actor 2 | 2 |
| THEA 372 | Voice for the Actor 3 | 2 |
| THEA 373 | Movement for the Actor 3 | 2 |
| THEA 376 | Voice for the Actor 4 | 2 |
| THEA 377 | Movement for the Actor 4 | 2 |
| THEA 378 | Acting in Musical Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 400 | Practicum IV | 2 |
| THEA 464 | Acting Styles | 3 |
| THEA 474 | Acting Shakespeare | 3 |
| THEA 478 | Acting for Camera | 3 |
| THEA 479 | Showcase and The Business of Acting | 3 |
| Select 6 hours from the following Acting concentration electives: | 6 | |
| Devising Social Issues Theatre | ||
| Acting for Camera 2 | ||
| Movement Styles | ||
| Alexander Technique for Theatre | ||
| Voice Styles | ||
| Acting Styles (repeated after requirement is fulfilled) | ||
| Company | ||
| Total Hours | 50 | |
Summary of Credits for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, concentration in Acting
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Core Requirements for All Theatre Majors | 23 | |
| Acting Concentration Requirements | 50 | |
| Free electives to bring the total hours earned to 120, including a minimum of 40 credits at the 300- or 400-level | ||
| Total Credits for BFA in Theatre, concentration in Acting | 120 | |
Sample Sequence
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Acting Concentration
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
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 100 - Practicum I | 1 |
| THEA 121 - Theatre Foundations: Performance | 2 |
| THEA 170 - Acting 1 | 3 |
| FAA 101 - Arts at Illinois | 1 |
| Composition I or Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 100 - Practicum I | 1 |
| THEA 122 - Theatre Foundations: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| THEA 150 - Movement for the Actor 1 | 2 |
| THEA 175 - Acting 2 | 3 |
| THEA 185 - Audition Lab | 2 |
| Composition I or Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Second Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 123 - Theatre Foundations: Production | 3 |
| THEA 200 - Practicum II | 1 |
| THEA 205 - Voice for the Actor 1 | 2 |
| THEA 250 - Movement for the Actor 2 | 2 |
| THEA 270 - Acting 3 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 200 - Practicum II | 1 |
| THEA 208 - 21st Century Dramaturgy | 3 |
| THEA 280 - Voice for the Actor 2 | 2 |
| THEA 373 - Movement for the Actor 3 | 2 |
| THEA 378 - Acting in Musical Theatre | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
Third Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 304 - Global Theatre Performance | 3 |
| THEA 372 - Voice for the Actor 3 | 2 |
| THEA 377 - Movement for the Actor 4 | 2 |
| THEA 474 - Acting Shakespeare | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 364 - Topics in Theatre History | 3 |
| THEA 376 - Voice for the Actor 4 | 2 |
| THEA 478 - Acting for Camera | 3 |
| Acting concentration elective | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 17 |
Fourth Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 400 - Practicum IV | 2 |
| THEA 404 - Professional Career Development | 1 |
| THEA 464 - Acting Styles | 3 |
| Acting concentration elective | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| THEA 479 - Showcase and The Business of Acting | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective courses | 9 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Total Hours
Total hours for all requirements: 120
Learning Outcomes
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Acting Concentration
- Professional Readiness: Demonstrate readiness for professional auditions, collaborations, and work opportunities across a wide range of theatre, on-camera, and performance mediums.
- Collaboration: Collaborate effectively within an ensemble by contributing ideas, listening responsively, and synthesizing perspectives toward a shared outcome.
- Vocal & Physical Integration: Integrate and apply vocal and physical techniques to create embodied and expressive performances.
- Bold Performance Practice: Demonstrate embodied, authentic, and dynamic performance across multiple acting styles, mediums, and a diverse range of texts.
- Critical and Creative Analysis: Analyze and interpret dramatic works thoughtfully and in relation to global histories and communicate ideas clearly in writing and discussion.
- Innovation & Humanity: Innovate within the art form by experimenting with new ideas, embracing risk, and sustaining healthy practices.
Contact Information
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, Acting Concentration
Theatre
Theatre Department website
Theatre Department faculty
4-122 Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2371
theatre@illinois.edu
College of Fine & Applied Arts
Admissions
Overview of the College of Fine & Applied Arts Admissions & Requirements
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
admissions@illinois.edu