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Theatre and Media Arts

Student Frequently Asked Questions

General TMA FAQ
Acting
MDT
Media Arts
Theatre Arts Studies
Theatre Education

General TMA FAQ

  • No, we do not allow students to skip prerequisite classes.

  • Please visit the link below to find your faculty advisor.
    Advisors

  • For both Theatre & Media Arts faculty, you will need to reach out to them directly. The TMA front desk does not schedule appointments for the faculty.

    To find your advisor's contact information, please see the above section "Who is my faculty advisor?" or visit our department directory.

  • Each program is different. Some are open enrollment, and some are known as "Limited Enrollment Programs" or LEPs. Please refer to the links below for information on each program's declaration requirements.

    BFA Acting
    Music Dance Theatre, MDT
    Media Arts (Major & Minor)
    Theatre Arts Studies. TAS (Major & Minor)
    Theatre Arts Education (K-12)

  • The process is different for official TMA projects (class projects, etc.) and for outside projects including personal projects (even if you are a TMA student).

    TMA Projects
    If your project is a TMA sponsored project, including class projects, please reach out to Grant Gomm to have your project listed on our website. Please send a short blurb and a graphic in .jpg or .png format. Please do not send .pdfs.

    If you have created small (11x17 or 8.5x11) posters, please visit the TMA front desk to have your posters approved. When they are approved, our secretaries will hang them on our bulletin boards. Any unauthorized posters will be removed from our bulletin boards.

    Non-TMA Projects
    If your project is not a TMA sponsored project, or you are a current TMA student making a personal project, please visit our opportunities submission page, read the posted information, and fill out and submit the form. Your post will be added to our website as soon as possible.

    If your project is an official BYU project or opportunity, you may also visit the TMA front desk to have any posters approved and hung on our bulletin boards by our staff. Any unauthorized posters will be removed from our bulletin boards.

  • Visit the TMA office in the WCO and ask the secretaries if your poster can be approved. Once your poster is approved, we’ll hang them for you!

  • Please email Grant Gomm and provide a short description along with a square graphic (.jpg or .png only). Please note that we are very selective as to what we put into our newsletters as we make an effort to keep them concise. You may find that your post has been added to the news section of our website instead, and often there will be an accompanying link in our newsletter. Please understand that often this is the best we can do. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated.

  • For the Theatre Newsletter, please email Grant Gomm and provide your BYU ID number. Grant will then send you a link to opt-in.

    If you are a Media Arts Major or Media Arts Minor and would like to be added to the Media Arts Newsletter, please reach out to Grant Gomm to have your major or minor status verified. Once this has happened, Grant will send you a link to opt-in.

  • The BFA Acting program is a limited enrollment program (LEP). On average, 8-10 students are accepted each year.

  • Yes! In order to take classes above TMA 123 or TMA 128 and TMA 121 or TMA 122, you need to audition, however. These auditions take place at the end of fall and winter semesters and are called proficiencies. Placement in acting classes depends on your proficiency results, completion of prerequisite classes, and available space in the class. If you have questions about proficiencies, you are welcome to contact a member of the BFA Acting Program faculty.

  • Yes! There are many opportunities for performance in the department of Theatre and Media Arts. You do not have to be a BFA Acting Major to audition for productions. Audition notices and casting requirements can be found online at TMA Access.

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  • MDT applications are due each year during the second week of November, for more details, go here.

  • The invited live audition is held the last Saturday of January.

  • Individuals should submit their MDT application, essay, letter of recommendation, three videos, transcript and completed BYU application submitted to the admissions office.

  • They will be reviewed by the MDT Committee on a case-by-case basis.

  • Judges are looking for the following characteristics in the main areas of MDT:

    Voice – interpretation, quality, suitable selection for vocal ability
    Acting – honesty, clarity of objectives and a sense of real conversation with another individual
    Dance – strength, flexibility, musicality, performance skills

  • Applicants should not wear costumes, see guidelines below:

    Voice – dress nicely
    Acting – dress appropriately—no props or costumes
    Dance – your dress should be modest and allow the viewer to clearly see the motion and dynamics of the dance as well as the line and design of the body

  • There are no callbacks following the invited live audition.

  • Prescreening: last week of December
    Finalized incoming class: mid-March

  • No. However, feedback can be obtained by emailing individual MDT faculty members no later than 30 days following notification.

  • The MDT program is the most rigorous program at BYU to be accepted into with an average acceptance rate of about 12%. We don’t discriminate between men and women, and there is no quota.

  • You may audition a maximum of 3 times.

  • No, but you do have to be admitted to BYU before the start of the Fall semester following auditions. Acceptance into MDT does not guarantee acceptance into BYU. You must be admitted to both independently.

  • All students auditioning for the MDT program are automatically considered for a Talent Award.

  • If you experience any issues or errors while uploading your videos, please try any of the following options to ensure we receive them:

    • Google the specific error message you received and troubleshoot from there.
    • Reach out to Slideroom Support if you have any problems with submitting your application. They are awesome and can answer any questions you may have.
    • You may call the office to see if the videos have been received at 801-422-2563.
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  • Our upcoming events will always be posted on our main tma.byu.edu page. You can also view the current BYU Theatre & Film season here.
    To find film opportunities, please visit the News & Opportunities for TMA Students page.

  • No. However, Media Arts students must fill all university requirements for graduation. CFAC Advisement (1190 WCCB) can assist you in the selection of general education classes that compliment a Media Arts major or minor.

  • Yes. Kyle Stapley (801-422-3213, 152 WCO, kyle_stapley@byu.edu) coordinates apprenticeships and internship opportunities both on and off campus. Please e-mail for an appointment). There are also some websites available for additional information:

  • BYU offers a terrific career placement program located in the Wilkinson Student Center (Placement Center, 2410 WSC, 801-422-2072). The Placement Center will assist in finding future employment.

    The film industry traditionally hires through recommendations so getting a job after graduation depends largely on networking and your reputation of dependability and expertise, which can be facilitated by apprenticeships, internships, and collaboration on class projects. Graduate degrees may improve employability.

  • We do not offer a graduate program in Media Arts Studies, however, many film students find value in graduate school. A graduate degree can provide advanced training in areas of interest and qualify you to teach on the college or university level.

  • After acceptance into BYU, contact our Faculty Transfer Advisor to schedule an appointment regarding transfer credits. They will assess the ability to have transfer credits count towards graduation and will help with the credit transfer process. View your Faculty Transfer Advisor here, then open the section labeled "Who is my faculty advisor?"

  • In some ways, yes. Students are encouraged to begin their education at BYU as early as possible to take advantage of the project and internship opportunities. This also helps students avoid problems with frequency of course offerings. However, if you are transferring, there are many people who will help you matriculate into the department.

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  • The Theatre and Media Arts department provides a variety of financial aid opportunities for its students. Merit scholarships are available for both incoming and continuing students. Groups or individuals within the program may apply for the Fulton grant. Students in their senior year qualify to apply for the Outstanding Student award. There are additional funding opportunities available through the college and university.

    Visit /admissions-and-aid/ for additional information, or contact the TMA office (801-422-6645, D581 HFAC, tma_secretary@byu.edu).

  • Only 50 to 60 percent of applicants are accepted into the program (major and minor) each year. Applicants are accepted twice a year. Applications are judged by:

    • The applicant’s abilities, interests, expectations, and preparation
    • A creative sample submitted by the applicant
    • The Media Arts criteria/requirements, namely proof that the applicant is analytical, creative, teachable, responsible, and able to work collaboratively with others (see application online at film.byu.edu/application)
    • The applicant’s adherence to outlined application procedures, guidelines, and deadlines.
    • A grade of B- or higher in the prerequisite course TMA 102.

    If you are not accepted the first time that you submit your application, you have the opportunity to apply a maximum of one additional time. Many students improve their ability to be accepted the second time they apply.

    Questions regarding the application process may be directed to faculty advisors or Kyle Stapley (801-422-4576, D581A HFAC, kyle_stapley@byu.edu).

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THEATRE ARTS STUDIES FAQ

  • The Theatre Department has an ambitious, varied season and produces plays and musicals on 3 different stages. There are several levels of production work. First, there is an active 6-show main stage season guided by the faculty. Students work at all levels of production, but are generally assigned roles after participation in classes that prepare them for this work. There are also a number of student productions either associated with TMA 536: Directing Workshop, or TMA 436: Advanced Directing projects that produces 5-10 one-act plays each season. Check the TMA website and sign up for the newsletter which will give notice of these productions.

    Under the direction of faculty and professional artists, students are given opportunities to work back stage, in the shops, as designers, as technicians, as dramaturgs, or as stage managers on all main stage productions. Students also work with Media Arts majors as designers and crew for film and television productions. All students are welcome to audition for both film and theatre productions.

    Each year, theatre hosts an “All Forum” to introduce students to all production opportunities available during the year. Students may also contact Milinda Weeks for design and backstage crew opportunities (milinda_weeks@byu.edu) , Jennifer Reed (jennifer_reed@byu.edu) for stage management opportunities, and Shelley Graham (shelley_graham@byu.edu) for dramaturgy opportunities.

    1. If you are a Theatre Education major, Career Services at careers.byu.edu can assist you in finding available teaching positions.
    2. If you are a BFA Acting or MDT major, placement is dependent upon auditions. Several professional performing companies hold auditions on campus, which are publicized in the student newsletter, TMAccess. In addition, each spring, seniors in the BFA majors are taken to New York with the BFA Showcase to audition for agents and talent scouts in these areas.
    3. Theatre Arts Studies majors, no matter their focus, are traditionally hired based on experience and through recommendations. Getting a job after graduation depends largely on networking and your reputation of dependability and expertise, which can be facilitated by collaboration on class projects, apprenticeships, internships, and graduate study. Graduate degrees in these fields improve employability as well.

  • Yes. Kyle Stapley (D-581D, 801-422-3750, kyle_stapley@byu.edu) coordinates apprenticeship and internship opportunities both on and off campus for theatre students. You can find more information about the internship process at our Internship page

  • Many theatre students find value in graduate school. An MFA, PhD or other advanced degrees can provide additional training in areas of interest and qualify you to teach on the college or university level. More importantly, graduate school can provide you a wide network of professionals working in the field who can help with job placement.

  • After acceptance into the university your advisor and Michael Kraczek will assess your transfer credits. Contact Professor Kraczek (michael_kraczek@byu.edu) for an appointment. Bring your transcript of the desired courses you wish to substitute, and a copy of the “course substitution” form found at the TMA front desk to your interview.

  • In some ways, yes. Students are encouraged to begin their education at BYU as early as possible to take advantage of the projects, classes, and internship opportunities. Some of these opportunities require prerequisites which may not be available at the student’s previous university. However, if you are transferring, there are many people who will help you matriculate into the department.

  • No. However theatre students must fill all university requirements for graduation. CFAC Advisement can assist you in the selection of general education classes that compliment a theatre major.

  • Yes. You are required to get FBI clearance for a number of theatre education classes because you will be periodically working with K-12 students in outside schools settings. For questions, contact Kris Peterson (kris.w.peterson@byu.edu), or contact the Education Advisement Center at education.byu.edu/advisement to receive information and instruction about this process.