Theatre Arts, BFA - Performance Specialization

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Theatre Arts BFA Core Requirements

Theatre Major, BFA

The BFA program is designed to prepare knowledgeable, skilled graduates who will compete at all levels in an increasingly competitive field. Students will also learn to assess, explain, and interpret the many roles and responsibilities inherent in the world of the professional theatre artist. They will also understand how to use the skills they have developed in other career paths related to their degree.

The BFA theatre program is innovative and interdisciplinary. Students complete a sequence of core foundation courses, gain admission into the program through audition/interview, and focus in a single emphasis-performance, design and production, or musical theatre.

Interdisciplinary course work is integral to the structure and success of the BFA theatre program. All of the required and elective courses for the degree are part of other major programs and are regularly taught. Besides the theatre arts courses, 29 interdisciplinary courses are offered by two colleges from seven other CWU departments: art, communications, dance, English, physical education, family and consumer sciences, industrial engineering, and music.

Admission to the BFA is by audition/interview only. Auditions/interviews begin with an online screening, which is outlined on the department website. Continuing BFA students will sign up for audition/interview appointments as part of the annual BFA juries.

BFA candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in Theatre Arts with a minimum grade of “B-” (2.7) in each course within their specialization. In addition, BFA candidates must earn a grade point average of 2.7 in the department pre-admission requirements courses (TH 107, TH 166, TH 144/244) and must achieve a minimum grade of “C+” (2.3) in any course in their BFA degree plan. The applicant must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all other collegiate study. Meeting this standard is reviewed as part of the annual jury in each specialization.

BFA Core Requirements

TH 107 - Introduction to Theatre Credits: (4)
TH 166 - Theory of Play Production Credits: (3)
TH 261 - Costume Technology Credits: (3)
TH 267 - Scene Technology Credits: (3)
TH 268 - Lighting Technology Credits: (3)
TH 363 - Theatre History I Credits: (4)
TH 364 - Theatre History II Credits: (4)
TH 365 - Theatre History III Credits: (4)

Lab Component - Credits: 4

Complete 4 credits of TH 393 or TH 493.

TH 393 - Theatre Laboratory Credits: (1)
TH 493 - Theatre Laboratory Credits: (1)

Production Component - Credits: 3

Choose one of the following:

TH 301 - Production Application Credits: (3)
TH 401 - Production Application Credits: (3)

BFA Core Total Credits: 35

Performance Specialization

The performance specialization builds specific skills in production from a strong foundation of using the body as the artist’s instrument through acting styles, voice, and stage movement. Students choose from a range of courses, both introductory and advanced, from writing and dancing, to stage and screen.

To help students prepare for future employment or graduate school, all students are strongly encouraged to pursue practical experience through TH 490: Cooperative Education (Internship), as well as the production application courses, designed to put theory into practice as part of Central Theatre Ensemble’s regular on-campus season.