Apply to the BFA in Acting at The University of Texas at Austin

B.F.A. in Acting

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting seeks to prepare students with fundamental training and the education necessary for an acting career. This unique four-year program combines courses in stage acting with innovative training in devised work, film and television. Our professional faculty of working artists address past, present and anticipated trends in a professional actor’s career.

Curriculum, guest artist workshops and performance experiences reflect the uniqueness of The University of Texas at Austin by offering classes and practical experiences in department productions, collaborations with professional artists, workshops with visiting artists and the rich scholarly resources of a Tier One institution. The department produces an annual season of six to eight main stage productions, encompassing a wide variety of performance experiences that range from classical to contemporary plays, musical theatre and original scripts.

Attentive to acting for the camera, the B.F.A. in Acting collaborates with the Moody College of Communications’ Department of Radio-Television-Film. Upperclassmen have the option to participate in a Los Angeles residency as they prepare for working in the industry through the UT Semester in Los Angeles program.

The B.F.A. in Acting program admits incoming freshman only.


Application Procedures

1. Submit the ApplyTexas Application or Common App Application

Available: August 1, 2023
Deadline: December 1, 2023

All applicants must submit a freshman university application via ApplyTexas or Common App. This university application will include:

  • Application
  • Fee
  • Essay
  • Short answers
  • Transcript(s)
  • Other required optional materials, if applicable
  • Scholarship interest form

For a full list of application requirements, please visit the Office of Admissions website.

2. Submit Theatre and Dance Application Requirements

Available: September 1, 2023
Deadline: December 11, 2023

Applicants will select their intended major and then upload an audition video. Check out this tutorial for instructions on how to access and submit the Fine Arts Supplemental application.

The portal to submit a Theatre and Dance application will be accessible via the applicant’s MyStatus portal.


APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR FRESHMEN APPLICANTS

ApplyTexas or Common App application for admittance in Fall 2024 opens. August 1, 2023
Department of Theatre and Dance application opens. September 1, 2023
ApplyTexas or Common App application deadline. December 1, 2023
Deadline for students to submit all additional application items, including Theatre and Dance application. December 11, 2023

Audition Requirements

  • All applicants will submit a video prescreen audition. Select applicants may be invited to attend an in-person or virtual callback audition
  • Applicants should prepare a slate, a contemporary monologue and a scene. Each video will be approximately one-minute in length.
    • The slate for B.F.A. in Acting submissions should begin with your name and hometown, then tell us about a memorable trip you have taken. It can be as simple as a trip to Target, or as elaborate as a vacation. It doesn’t matter, as long as it is unrehearsed rather than scripted.
  • Applicants will also be asked to upload a headshot and artistic resume.
    • NOTE: headshot does not have to be a professional headshot. It can be a clear image taken on your mobile device.

For some pointers on how to light, frame and otherwise make a great audition, please watch this video (also available below) from acting faculty member, Corey Allen. For more detailed information regarding the video audition and application requirements, check out this Acting Video Audition Instructions and Tips sheet. 

View this video in Vimeo. 


Sample Curriculum

FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR THIRD YEAR FOURTH YEAR

Acting I & II

Voice and Movement I & II

Production Lab

Public Practice

Technical Theatre

Acting III

Voice Lab I & II

Movement Lab I & II

Theatre History I & II

Acting Shakespeare

Creating New Media

Voiceover & Narration

Advanced Techniques

Advanced Production Lab

Performance

Acting for the Camera I & II

Portfolio Preparation

Business of Acting

Application for Rehearsal

Foundations for Acting

The schedule and availability of Theatre and Dance courses changes each semester. The courses listed above are examples for this focus. Students must also fulfill The University of Texas at Austin’s core curriculum, department core and elective requirements.

Download Sample Degree Plan:

 

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