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, 2022
Deadline: December 1, 2022
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, take a look at the Applying for Admission Checklist.
2. Submit Theatre and Dance Application Requirements
Available: August 22, 2022
Deadline: December 9, 2022
PLEASE NOTE: The portal to submit a Theatre and Dance application will be available late August and accessible via the applicant’s MyStatus portal.
APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR FRESHMEN APPLICANTS
| ApplyTexas or Common App application for admittance in Fall 2023 opens. | August 1, 2022 |
| Department of Theatre and Dance application opens. | August 22, 2022 |
| ApplyTexas or Common App application deadline. | December 1, 2022 |
| Deadline for students to submit all additional application items, including Theatre and Dance application. | December 9, 2022 |
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.
For some pointers on how to light, frame and otherwise make a great audition, please watch this video (also available below) from our Head of Acting, Quetta Carpenter.
Break a leg!
Please read the PDF below for information on how to prepare your audition material, which will include a slate, a contemporary monologue and a scene.
You may need to install Acrobat Reader to access these documents.
Sample Curriculum
| FIRST YEAR | SECOND YEAR | THIRD YEAR | FOURTH YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acting I | Acting III | Devised Work | Business of Acting |
| Voice and Movement I | Voice Lab I & II | Creating New Media | Acting for the Camera I & II |
| Acting II | Movement Lab I & II | Advanced Projects in Acting & Directing | Portfolio Preparation |
| Voice & Movement II | Theatre History I & II | Voice-over and Narration | UTLA B.F.A. in Acting Program (Spring Semester) |
| Technical Theatre | Acting Shakespeare | Advanced Production Lab |
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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