B.F.A. in Acting

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.

Application Procedures

1. SUBMIT THE COMMON APP APPLICATION

Available: August 1, 2024
Deadline: December 1, 2024

All applicants must submit a freshman university application via 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, 2024
Deadline: December 11, 2024

View a full list of important application dates and deadlines.

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 and a contemporary monologue (no more than 15 years old). 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.
  • NOTE: headshot does not have to be a professional headshot. It can be a clear image taken on your mobile device.
• Applicants will also be required to respond to several short written prompts.

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. 

View this video in Vimeo. 

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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