The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theater Performance – Acting & Musical Theater is a rigorous program fostering creative, cognitive, and artistic skills. It is intended to advance the education and training of motivated, curious, self-reliant, adaptable theater artists.
What You'll Learn
Acting Track
Acting, movement, and voice and speech are taught in a linear progression of courses and special projects throughout the four-year curriculum.
Studio classes emphasize ensemble building and collaborative process, the authentic use of self, the reality of doing, the awakening of the emotional life. and the collaborative process.
In the movement studio, emphasis is placed on the human body as an instrument of expression, and on developing strength, alignment, flexibility, availability and stamina.
Voice and speech classes focus on releasing habitual tension, increasing power and range, and utilizing specific speech skills.
Advanced courses in each of these areas introduce a wide range of approaches to the craft of acting and the further development of the actor’s instrument.
New plays are in development weekly giving students numerous opportunities to work with graduate and undergraduate playwrights. Each academic year ends with the Playwrights Festival of New Plays.
On-camera auditions are held the first month of each academic year for MFA Graduate filmmakers in the School of Film. Curricular and hands-on Acting for Film experience.
Musical Theater Track
Ohio University’s musical theater program is suited for students interested in creating the next generation of musical theater. The program focuses on strong actor training, collaboration within a community of theater artists, and opportunities to perform in different types of productions, from musicals to cabarets to contemporary plays to classics, devised, original, and self-produced work. Students will learn the entrepreneurial aspects of creating theater and will be well positioned to work in a variety of theater settings upon graduation.
- Process-based actor training centered on the authentic use of self
- Singing training, including private voice instruction, with a foundation in classic musical theater singing style, and the development of pop/rock, contemporary, and alternative singing styles
- Dance classes in a gamut of styles, including jazz, ballet, modern, tap, hip hop, African dance, and contemporary musical theater dance
- Programmatic focus on Pop/Rock history and performance, including a course sequence on the History of Rock Music
- Guest Artists: Short and long-term guest residencies with professionals working on Broadway and nationally
- New Work: Participate in readings, workshops, and full productions of new work written by BFA playwrights and guest professionals
- Film: Regular auditions for BFA and MFA Film students for opportunities to act in their films, as well as coursework in acting for the camera, allowing students to build a reel by graduation
Other Highlights of the Acting & Musical Theater Tracks
Production Season includes between 9 and 12 full length productions, including new works and artistically adventurous programming.
Business: Auditioning and business skills courses, master classes with casting directors and agents, Digital Showcase and website design.
Choose from many OHIO minors and certificate programs to diversify your skills and prepare you for the business, including:
- Actor Musicianship Certificate
- Performing Arts Health and Wellness Certificate
- Dance: Performance and Choreography Minor
- Stage Management Minor
- Film Minor
- Screenwriting and Digital Storytelling Minor
- Social Media Certificate
Career Opportunities
Ohio University Performance graduates are placed in prominent internships such as Actors Theater of Louisville Professional Training Company and Milwaukee Repertory Theater Emerging Professional Residency in Acting. Other internship placements include American Players Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Cleveland Play House, to name just a few. Other graduates choose graduate training at programs such as The Old Globe, ACT/San Francisco, Yale or UC Irvine.
Prospective students in all B.F.A. programs have the option to be accepted directly through auditions and interviews as high school seniors, or enter through the B.A. in Theater and audition or interview at the end of the first year into the B.F.A. of your choice.