May 20, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Theatre BFA - Theatre Performance


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Your life is not a dress rehearsal. This is your chance to follow your dreams and do what you love. UB’s theatre program is for anyone who wants to be surrounded by the unmatched creativity and tight-knit community that you’ll find in the theater, along with all the academic opportunities you’ll get from a world-class research university. Whether you crave the spotlight-or you prefer being in the director’s chair, behind the scenes or writing about the arts-there’s a place for you here. 

Visit the Theatre academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Theatre and Dance department page  for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria


Admission for the Theatre BFA: Theatre Performance concentration requires an audition. Please visit the Audition Registration to schedule an audition.

Course Requirements


Theatre Performance Core (19 credits)


Theatre Performance Courses (9 credits)


Directing Courses (1 course, 3 credits)


Design Course (1 course, 3 credits)


Performance in Production Courses (3 courses, 9 credits)


Theatre Electives (2 courses, 6 credits)


  • Pick two 300 or 400 level TH courses

Notes


UB Seminar courses cannot count towards major requirements.

Total Credits Required for Major: 82


Additional Degree Requirements Include:


  • Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
  • Elective courses as needed to complete the 122 credit hour total

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 122


Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Requirements


Minimum 2.333 (C+) in all major courses.

Practical application of coursework is an integral part of the Theatre BFA, Performance Concentration. At a minimum, BFA students perform in three faculty led productions (either musical or drama theatre show). Student productions provide a great opportunity for both directing and performance experience but are not applicable to the performance requirement for the degree. BFA Students are required to audition each semester, but must have a 3.000 major GPA to maintain casting eligibility. Students can begin performing as early as their second semester first year. BFA Students are also required to complete three practicums, which include crew assignments on one of the eight departmental productions each year.

Curricular Plan


A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

Total Credits: 15 or 16


First Year Spring


Total Credits: 17 or 18


Second Year Fall


Total Credits: 19


Second Year Spring


Total Credits: 16


Total Credits: 15


Third Year Spring


Total Credits: 15


Fourth Year Fall


Total Credits: 13


Fourth Year Spring


Total Credits: 15


Total Credits Required: 126


Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge to:

  • Collaborate successfully in the original creation of innovative and interdisciplinary projects such as plays and other types of live events.
  • Achieve a visceral as well as theoretical comprehension of the technical, academic and creative skill-sets requisite to securing employment at the beginning levels of the acting profession, and acceptance into recognized MFA graduate programs.
  • Employ their experience in the creative research laboratory process to analyze, synthesize and evaluate the application of practical skills to conceptual theatrical phenomena.
  • Assimilate a broad knowledge of the history, culture and development of contemporary methodologies of acting and performance techniques
  • Utilize problem-solving skills and apply critical thinking in the exploration of analytical and experiential solutions to problems and challenges in Theatre Performance
  • Experience a visceral[appreciation]of the physical skills required for the technical creative and artistic aspects of building a role or character. Development of acting and performance physical skills for characterization, and the demonstration and application of those skills in studio and workshop performance.

 

(HEGIS: 10.07 DRAMATIC ARTS, CIP50.0501 Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General)

 

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