Theatre: Acting, BFA
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre, Acting Concentration
Acting Concentration
The acting concentration provides intensive training in a wide range of performance aspects. In the first and second years, students take foundational courses in acting that include movement and vocal production. 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. Considerations include potential for expressive movement, effective voice and speech, emotionally connected characterization, intellectually thorough. Analysis and reliable discipline for intensive study. Students who are not promoted into the advanced studio classes may apply to the Theatre Studies concentration. Third- and fourth-year students meet in daily four-hour sessions, each of which includes voice and speech, movement and acting. Students acquire skills in stage combat and dialects. The four semesters of acting scene study focus on modern classical plays, musical theatre, Shakespeare and acting for the camera. Students in the professional studio in acting are expected to audition for department productions and perform as cast.
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre, Acting Concentration
A minimum of 128 hours of credit is required for the degree.
Twelve hours of 300 and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
40 credits hours in degree required in 300-400 level coursework to meet IBHE requirements.
General Education Requirements for all University Students
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
General Education Requirements: (40 hrs with Language requirements fulfilled) | ||
| Composition I | 4 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western Comparative Cultures | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: U.S. Minority Culture(s) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning I | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning II | 3 | |
| Humanities and the Arts | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences and Technology | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 6 | |
| Language Requirement 1 | 0-12 | |
Electives | ||
| General, Non-Theatre Electives | 9 | |
| Open Electives (as needed to total a minimum of 128 hours to earn the degree) | ||
- 1
General Education Language Requirement: Options to satisfy this requirement are noted in the Course Explorer.
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 | |
Summary of Credits for BFA in Theatre
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements for All Theatre Majors | 24 | |
| General Education Requirements | 31-40 | |
| Language Requirements, if needed | 0-12 | |
| Concentration Requirements (see tables below for individual concentrations) | 49-52 | |
| General Non-Theatre Electives | 9 | |
| Open Electives as needed to total 128 hours | 0-18 | |
| Total Credits for BFA in Theatre | 128 | |
Acting Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THEA 175 | Fundamentals of Acting II | 3 |
| THEA 270 | Relationships in Acting I | 3 |
| THEA 271 | Voice and Movement I | 2 |
| THEA 275 | Relationships in Acting II | 3 |
| THEA 276 | Voice and Movement II | 2 |
| THEA 371 | Acting Studio I: Dynamics | 1 |
| THEA 372 | Acting Studio I: Voice | 2 |
| THEA 373 | Acting Studio I: Movement | 2 |
| THEA 374 | Acting Studio I: Acting | 3 |
| THEA 375 | Acting Studio II: Dynamics | 1 |
| THEA 376 | Acting Studio II: Voice | 2 |
| THEA 377 | Acting Studio II: Movement | 2 |
| THEA 378 | Acting Studio II: Acting | 3 |
| THEA 400 | Practicum IV | 4 |
| THEA 471 | Acting Studio III: Dynamics | 1 |
| THEA 472 | Acting Studio III: Voice | 2 |
| THEA 473 | Acting Studio III: Movement | 2 |
| THEA 474 | Acting Studio III: Acting | 3 |
| THEA 475 | Acting Studio IV: Dynamics | 1 |
| THEA 476 | Acting Studio IV: Voice | 2 |
| THEA 477 | Acting Studio IV: Movement | 2 |
| THEA 478 | Acting Studio IV: Acting | 3 |
| Total Hours | 49 | |
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre, Acting Concentration
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 | THEA 175 | 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 |
| THEA 270 | 3 | THEA 275 | 3 |
| THEA 271 | 2 | THEA 276 | 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 400 | 1 | THEA 400 | 1 |
| THEA 304 | 3 | THEA 364 | 3 |
| THEA 371 | 1 | THEA 375 | 1 |
| THEA 372 | 2 | THEA 376 | 2 |
| THEA 373 | 2 | THEA 377 | 2 |
| THEA 374 | 3 | THEA 378 | 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 400 | 1 | THEA 400 | 1 |
| THEA 471 | 1 | THEA 475 | 1 |
| THEA 472 | 2 | THEA 476 | 2 |
| THEA 473 | 2 | THEA 477 | 2 |
| THEA 474 | 3 | THEA 478 | 3 |
| THEA 404 | 1 | THEA 479 | 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, Acting Concentration
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrates a mature, effective ability to analyze, interpret, write critically and creatively, and discuss thoughtfully in the field of theatre and performance.
- Demonstrates ability to creatively engage in the collaborative process in rehearsal, construction, and performance of works for the stage.
- Demonstrates an ability to analyze, prepare, and perform in dramatic material including works from contemporary theatre, modern classics, Shakespeare, musical theatre, and media including film, television, and web, among others.
- Demonstrates increasing ability to recognize and adjust voice, speech, and movement skills (including stage combat techniques) in application to performance for the stage.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the expectations of professional practice in auditioning for and working in professional theatre, film, television, and other media.
for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Theatre, Acting Concentration
Theatre
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