Designed to prepare students for careers in professional theatre, the B.F.A. in Acting is a four-year sequence of courses in acting, voice, movement and dance. Coursework is augmented with a wide variety of public performances to provide students experience in different theatrical styles. During four years, students will audition for as many as 50 mainstage and student workshop productions. Acting and Musical Theatre majors audition for all productions beginning in the second term of their first year.

With a comprehensive and rigorous blend of training based in Stanislavsky and organic methodology, the acting program includes basic exploration processes and finish techniques for professionals in theatre, film and television. The first two years focus on self-exploration, script analysis, dance, movement, voice production and diction, singing, characterization and discovery of personal working methods. During the junior and senior years, the emphasis is on comprehensive studio training to provide development in styles from Shakespeare to film along with continued refinement of a skilled system of action. In addition to on-campus productions, occasional opportunities exist for advanced students to work in professional theatres in central Ohio. Students are evaluated annually and must meet professional standards to complete the B.F.A. program.

The senior year is highlighted by a 9-week internship with a professional casting director, typically in New York City or Los Angeles.  Students function as readers for professional auditions, meet agents, directors and producers, and begin the process of networking with people in the profession.  Acting majors may also audition to participate in the Senior Showcase, produced in New York City for agents and casting directors in April.

Musical Theatre

Designed to prepare students as "triple threats" for the Broadway musical theatre, this unique interdisciplinary B.F.A. program, jointly sponsored by the Department of Music, offers a four-year sequence of courses in acting, voice, music and dance. Musical Theatre majors take acting courses with the Acting majors, but add courses in music theory, piano, musical theatre, four years of private voice study, plus extensive dance training in jazz, tap, modern and ballet. The Concentration in Dance allows students with strong dance backgrounds to emphasize dance in their Musical Theatre degree. Coursework is augmented with a wide variety of public performances, and Musical Theatre majors audition for all mainstage productions, not just musicals. Additional performance opportunities exist in studio workshops, Opera Theatre, and other vocal ensembles.  Students are expected to participate each term in music ensembles and mainstage theatre productions, and all students are evaluated annually and must meet professional standards to complete the B.F.A. program.

The senior year is highlighted by a 9-week internship with a professional casting director, typically in New York City or Los Angeles.  Students function as readers for professional auditions, meet agents, directors and producers, and begin the process of networking with people in the profession.   Musical Theatre majors may also audition to participate in the Senior Showcase, produced in New York City for agents and casting directors in April.

Dance

The interdisciplinary B.F.A. in Musical Theatre with a Concentration in Dance offers dancers the chance to train as "triple threats" for the Broadway musical theatre, by increasing their dance skills while studying acting, voice, music and theatre. The Dance Minor offers dancers the opportunity to continue dancing at an advanced level throughout their college careers while pursuing other studies.

Dance classes are structured to allow students to dance every day, in a sequence which offers two days of ballet, one day of modern, one day of jazz, and one day of tap or musical theatre styles each week.  Classes meet for an hour and a half on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Each technique is offered at three different levels on each day, so that students can be placed appropriately.  Two choreography classes are offered and all dance students are encouraged to choreograph pieces for dance workshops and the annual dance concert.  All dance classes are taught by specialists in each technique, many of whom operate their own studios or teach at Ballet Met, the professional ballet company in Columbus. Dance Minors also are encouraged to audition for musicals which need dancers.

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