Undergraduate Programs

BFA Acting Concentration Curriculum

NOTE: The information on this page is also available as a printable PDF: BFA Acting Curriculum (PDF) on this page.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting concentration at the University of Alabama provides advanced, highly disciplined students the tools necessary to successfully pursue a professional career on stage and screen. This rigorously structured sequence of study is designed to support the actor in the development of a solid base of technique in a wide array of acting styles and methods. The curriculum is complimented by intensive training in movement and voice for the stage, and augmented by advanced study in all areas of theatre, including directing, playwriting, design and technology. All courses are taught by a vibrant, distinguished faculty of working professionals, dedicated to partnering with students to achieve greater success, both at the university and in the world beyond.

From the first semester on campus, BFA students are provided considerable performance opportunities in the Mainstage and Studio seasons, as well as in a performance showcase tailored specifically for first year students. With their extensive national and international connections, the faculty facilitates significant performance experiences each summer, including an ongoing internship with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and performance opportunities with the Teatro Nacionale in Havana, Cuba, the Utah Shakespearean Festival and the Texas Shakespeare Festival.

Throughout their academic career, students will also be exposed to the highest caliber of guest artists to enrich their training, including master classes with Broadway, television and film casting directors, Hollywood directors, internationally recognized guest directors, and specialists in everything from Commedia to Swashbuckling. In their final year, students perform in Bama on Broadway, our NYC showcase, which has served as a successful bridge to the profession for many of our graduates, including Sonequa Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery, The Walking Dead), Michael Luwoye (Hamilton), and Scarlett Walker (Carousel).

Admission Process

Admission to the BFA Acting concentration is by audition and interview only. Auditions are held on campus each November and January, with exact dates published each Fall on the department website. Students must complete the online application form (also on the website) and apply to The University of Alabama to receive consideration. Students will be notified of acceptance, and eligibility for possible departmental scholarship no later than Feb. 1. If accepted, continuance is dependent upon satisfactory development, evaluated by the acting faculty at the end of each semester.

Auditions

Please prepare two contrasting monologues of no more than ninety seconds each. If you sing, you are welcome to do so, provided you bring recorded accompaniment. You may be asked to perform additional material. An actor’s warm-up will be provided prior to the audition. Please visit the departmental website for up to date, detailed information on the audition process at theatre.ua.edu.

More Information

For more information, please contact Seth Panitch, Director of the Acting Program, at 205-348-3845 or spanitch@ua.edu.

Curriculum

University Requirements

Freshman Composition 6 Hrs
Foreign Language or Computer Science 8 Hrs
History and Social and Behavior Sciences 12 Hrs
Fine Arts/Literature/Humanities 12 Hrs
Mathematics and Natural Science 11 Hrs

Major Requirements

Theatre Core

Course Number Course Title Hours (24 Total)
TH 114 Introduction to Theatre 3
TH 141 Acting I 3
TH 220 or TH 231 Fundamentals of Stage Scenery or Costume Construction I 3
TH 361 or TH 470 Beginning Directing or Theatre Management 3
TH 451 History of Theatre I 3
TH 452 History of Theatre II 3
TH 191, 291, 391 Practicum (1 credit hour each) 3
TH 495 Senior Project 3

Studies in Performance

Course Number Course Title Hours (30 Total)
TH 240 Beginning Movement 3
TH 242 Acting II 3
TH 440 Advanced Movement 3
TH 441 Acting III 3
TH 444 Acting IV: Film and Comedy 3
TH 445 Acting V: Shakespeare 3
TH 446 Advanced Voice and Speech 3
TH 447 Dialects 3
TH 448 Rehearsal Process 3
TH 490 Alexander Technique Private Lessons Independent Study 3

Studies in Theatre

Course Number Course Title Hours (11 Total)
TH 230 Stage Makeup 2
TH 365 Stage Management 3
TH 442 Careers in Theatre 3
TH 482 Playwriting 3

Theatre Electives

Course Number Subject Matter Hours (15 Total)
TH XXX Courses in Acting, Voice, Movement, Design, Special Topics 15

TOTAL CREDITS: 129

Course availability is subject to permission by instructor.