Theatre

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting is a professional degree built for students intending to pursue a career in the theatre industry or a related field upon graduation. This degree also prepares students to pursue a graduate degree in theatre training. At its core, the B.F.A. in Acting provides well-rounded theatrical training with a primary emphasis on performance. In this degree, students take five acting courses, two stage voice courses, four movement/dance courses, a stage combat course, a screen acting course, two professional development courses, and a host of supportive theatre courses. Additionally, there are numerous mainstage opportunities each year along with scene work, staged readings, cabarets, student films, and professional opportunities. There is a required audition and interview process for this degree.

In addition to the premier goals listed for all theatre majors, the department's specific goals for B.F.A. Acting majors include:

• To develop techniques for effective use of the voice, including breath support, vocal range, posture, diction, and projection in order to better serve characterization and story-telling in performance 
• To activate techniques for effective physical movement, including basic stage movement disciplines, physical theatre, and dance training
• To train in both classical text-based and contemporary character and connection-based acting methodologies
• To engage and integrate effectively in solo and ensemble improvisations
• To adapt analyses and acting approaches to the specific demands of major genres, styles, and periods of dramatic literature
• To demonstrate the ability to perform in principle performance roles
• To acquire entrepreneurial business skills for the profession including audition repertory, technique, self-marketing, and networking

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Productions is a professional degree built for students intending to pursue a career in the theatre industry or a related field upon graduation. This degree also prepares students to pursue a graduate degree in theatre training. At its core, the B.F.A. in Design and Production provides well-rounded theatrical training with a primary emphasis on design. In this degree, students take three foundational design courses, three art/aesthetics courses, a visual history course, design courses in lighting, scenic, and costuming, a design for media course, a drafting and rendering course, advanced design courses, and a host of supportive theatre courses. Additionally, there are numerous mainstage opportunities each year along with scene work, staged readings, student films, and professional opportunities. There is a required portfolio and interview process for this degree.

In addition to the premier goals listed for all theatre majors, the department's specific goals for B.F.A. Design and Production majors include:

• To develop techniques for the effective drawing, rendering, and modeling of theatre designs using traditional drafting methods and current software programs
• To learn fundamental and applicable knowledge of decór, architecture, furniture, crafts, dress, and art as they relate to various historical periods
• To acquire fundamental knowledge of the total design process of a production
• To synthesize understanding of basic aesthetics, composition, and design theory in order to conceptualize and realize designs in costume design, scene design, lighting design 
• To evaluate and apply best practices and industry standards in regards to federal, state, and local health and safety codes
• To demonstrate the ability to design or assistant design for plays and/or musicals
• To acquire entrepreneurial business skills for the profession including design portfolio materials, presentations, self-marketing, and networking

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre is a professional degree built for students intending to pursue a career in the theatre industry or a related field upon graduation. This degree also prepares students to pursue a graduate degree in theatre training. At its core, the B.F.A. in Musical Theatre provides well-rounded theatrical training with a primary emphasis on acting, singing, and dancing. During their tenure in this degree, students take 63 hours in theatre courses as well as 25 hours in music courses. Musical theatre classes include Musical Theatre Scene Study, Musical Theatre Performance Workshop, Musical Theatre History, and Contemporary Musicals, among others. Additionally, there are numerous mainstage opportunities each year along with scene work, staged readings, cabarets, student films, and professional opportunities. There is a required audition and interview process for this degree.

In addition to the premier goals listed for all theatre majors, the department's specific goals for B.F.A. Musical Theatre majors include:

• To expand and synthesize musicianship, sight-singing competence, and music theory skills
• To develop techniques for sustainable use of the voice, including breath support, vocal range, posture, diction, and projection in order to better serve characterization and story-telling in performance 
• To activate techniques for effective physical movement, including basic stage movement disciplines and physical theatre
• To elevate dance training technique in ballet, jazz, modern, tap and musical theatre styles
• To train in both classical text-based and contemporary character and connection-based acting methodologies
• To adapt analyses and approaches to the specific demands of major genres, styles, and periods of musical theatre literature
• To demonstrate the ability to perform in principle performance roles
• To acquire entrepreneurial business skills for the profession including audition repertory, technique, self-marketing, and networking

Education Level(s) Offered: P-12

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Teaching is designed for students intending to pursue a career in teaching theatre at the elementary, middle school, or high school level. This degree also prepares students to pursue an advanced degree in education. At its core, the B.A. in Theatre Teaching provides well-rounded theatrical training mixed with superior education courses. In this degree, students take 45 hours in theatre-specific courses, including acting, directing, and design. They also take 30 hours in education courses designed to sharpen their pedagogy skills. Additionally, there are numerous mainstage opportunities in our five productions each year along with scene work, student films, and Nashville professional opportunities. All students complete student teaching at an area school before graduation. There is a required interview process for this degree.

In addition to the premier goals listed for all theatre majors, the department's specific goals for B.A. Theatre Teaching majors include:

• To develop and articulate a personal philosophy of educational theatre and explore the theatre educator’s role and teaching process in harmony with state standards
• To develop a solid foundation of theatre knowledge, content, and teaching skills as well as pass state certification requirements
• To acquire and implement age/site appropriateness of various dramatic activities when planning theatre curriculum, lessons, and units based on state standards
• To examine the role and structure of extra-curricular theatre programs and explore resources and materials available for school programs, including Children’s Theatre, Theatre for Young Audiences, Readers’ Theatre, as well as classic and contemporary performance literature
• To understand and implement best practices in the production process while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and an appreciation for all art forms within the theatre student
• To demonstrate the ability to participate in advanced work in plays and/or musicals
• To assess, encourage, and foster/develop skills in students with a range of experience, ability, and interests, including students from special populations, diverse backgrounds, and those with special needs

Want to learn more about obtaining your Theatre Teaching degree? Explore the undergraduate degree process to become a teacher.

How to become a theatre teacher

BFA Acting Auditions
Please prepare two contrasting, 1-minute monologues from published plays. At the audition, you will perform your monologues and also be interviewed. No vocal audition or dance call will be required.

BFA Design and Production Interviews
Please prepare to discuss your interest in theatre design and production. Provide a portfolio of your theatre work, either on paper or digitally. We would love to see any work representative of your design or stage management experience, including research, script analysis, renderings, and/or photos of your work. You may include other theatrical production experiences.

BFA Musical Theatre Auditions
Please prepare one 16-bar audition cut of a musical theatre songs that shows your range, as well as a one-minute monologue from a published play. Bring a second 16-bar cut prepared in case another piece is requested. Bring your sheet music marked and ready for the accompanist. Dance call for musical theatre applicants is at 9:00 am on the date listed. We recommend jazz shoes for the musical theatre style number if you have them. At the audition, you will perform your songs and also be interviewed.

BA Theatre Teaching Interviews

Please prepare to discuss your interest in theatre education and experience in theatre. Provide a portfolio of your theatre work, either on paper or digitally. This may include any aspects of your theatre experience, including performance, tech, directing, choreographing, and/or teaching. 

To schedule an audition and/or interview, please first apply to the university. In your Bison Portal, click the "Theatre Major" tab and request an audition date and upload materials. Once you have completed these items, you will receive a follow-up email with further instructions.

Our upcoming dates are:

Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023

Saturday, March 25, 2023 (Admission only. Not eligible for scholarship on this date.)

You may email Nat McIntyre at nemcintyre@lipscomb.edu with any questions. We look forward to knowing you!