BFA in Acting

The study of theatre has a long history here at Brigham Young University. It began as Elocutionary work in the late 1800s contributing eventually to the formation of the Dramatic Arts department in the newly established College of Fine Arts in 1925 under President Franklin S. Harris. Since its completion in 1964, the Harris Fine Arts Center has housed our department, honoring Franklin S. Harris for his love and devotion to the arts. Within the BA in Theatre Arts Studies we share that same love and devotion by seeking excellence in the study and practice of theatre. This BA degree stresses rigorous scholarship, high artistic standards, and Christ-like behavior.

Students working towards a degree in Acting will have numerous opportunities to gain experience in theatre performance and production in areas tailored to fit their desired career goals (see areas of interest below).

With eight main-stage plays produced each academic year, students will have ample opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the production process. Perhaps most importantly, a degree in Theatre Arts Studies will give students the skills to more critically analyze play texts and texts in performance.

Auditions

Acceptance to the program occurs only after successfully passing a preliminary audition and a final acceptance audition. These auditions are held at the end of each fall and winter semester. See the Application Dates and Deadlines to find out the most current information about audition dates.

Proficiencies

Proficiency tests are held every December and April. Announcements for place and time are posted on the TMA bulletin board (around the corner from D-581 HFAC) about a month before and a sign-up sheet will also be posted in the same place about 10 days before the proficiencies are held. Proficiencies consist of two monologues (one comedy and one drama). The faculty are looking for good communication, focus, and contrast characterization. TMA 123 or TMA 128 should be taken before auditioning for the BFA program to help students prepare for their monologues.

Faculty

Barta Heiner

Office: F-466 HFAC
Phone: 422-4631
Email: barta_heiner@byu.edu

David Morgan

Office: F-340 HFAC
Phone: 422-4719
Email: david_morgan@byu.edu

Laurie Harrop-Purser

Office: F-338 HFAC
Phone: 422-4262
Email: lch@byu.edu

Student Portfolios

Theatre students from our department have performed in Broadway casts of Mama Mia!, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Thoroughly Modern Millie and 42nd Street. Additionally, students have been with the Broadway national tours of Cats, Fosse, Footloose, Titanic, Sunset Boulevard, and Annie Get Your Gun. Graduates have also worked with the Boston Ballet, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and the Sacramento Ballet.

TMA graduates have gone on to pursue degrees at the Boston Conservatory, the Old Globe in San Diego, the University of California at San Diego, the University of Texas at Austin, New York University, the University of California at Los Angeles, the University of Iowa, the University of Illinois in Champagne, the North Carolina School of the Arts, the University of Nottingham, and many others.

To view samples of student portfolios, please visit the Portfolios section of our site.

Coursework

MAP (Major Academic Plan) summary for BFA in Acting

MAP (Major Academic Plan) comprehensive downloadable version