Twin Cities campus
 
Twin Cities Campus

Acting B.F.A.

Theatre Arts & Dance Dept
College of Liberal Arts
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2017
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 87
  • Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
The BFA in acting is an intensive, individualized, actor training program that uses both faculty from theatre and dance, as well as the Guthrie Theater's professional artistic staff to provide selected students with the physical, vocal, emotional, and intellectual skills necessary to succeed as working performance artists. The degree is intended to prepare students for entry into advanced education at a conservatory and/or graduate school, or professional employment.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
Entry into the BFA acting program is by audition only, and students are admitted only in fall semester.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the liberal education requirements. Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
CLA degrees require students to complete 48 credits of upper division coursework taken at the 3xxx, 4xxx, or 5xxx level. Students may earn no more than one undergraduate degree from the theatre arts program: a BA in theatre arts, or a BFA in acting, or a minor in theatre arts. All incoming CLA freshmen must complete the First Year Experience course sequence.
Freshman Courses
TH 1381 - New Voices (1.0 cr)
TH 1391 - BFA Acting I (3.0 cr)
TH 1392 - BFA Voice and Speech I (2.0 cr)
TH 1393 - BFA Movement I (2.0 cr)
TH 1501 - Introduction to Design and Technology for Live Performance (3.0 cr)
ENGL 1181W - Introduction to Shakespeare [LITR, WI] (4.0 cr)
TH 1395 - BFA Acting II (3.0 cr)
TH 1396 - BFA Voice and Speech II (2.0 cr)
TH 1397 - BFA Movement II (2.0 cr)
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
· TH 3521 - Introduction to Scenic Design for Theater and Performance (3.0 cr)
· TH 3531 - Introduction to Theatrical Costume Design (3.0 cr)
· TH 3541 - Introduction to Stage Lighting Design (3.0 cr)
· TH 3571 - Introduction to Stage Technology (3.0 cr)
Sophomore Courses
TH 2391 - BFA Acting III (3.0 cr)
TH 2392 - BFA Voice and Speech III (2.0 cr)
TH 2393 - BFA Movement III (2.0 cr)
TH 3171 - History of the Theatre: Ancient Greece Through Neo-Classicism (3.0 cr)
TH 2395 - BFA Acting IV (3.0 cr)
TH 2396 - BFA Voice and Speech IV (2.0 cr)
TH 2397 - BFA Movement IV (2.0 cr)
TH 3172 - History of the Theatre: Age of Enlightenment to Present (3.0 cr)
Junior Courses
Fall semester of the junior year is in the London Study Abroad program. All Acting BFA students participate in the London Study Abroad program. DNCE/PE Movement Electives in the Junior and Senior year may consist of the following courses: PE 1xxx, DNCE 1001, 1010, 1020, 1040, 1110, 1120, 1210, 1302, 1331, 1343, 1345, 1349, 1352, 1254, 3110, 3120, 3220, 3312, 3337, 3351, 5110, 5120. Note: Upper-division DNCE courses require placement based on audition or consent.
LNDN 3523 - Theatricality: Understanding the Possibilities in Theater (3.0 cr)
TH 3391 - BFA Acting V (3.0 cr)
TH 3392 - BFA Voice and Speech V (2.0 cr)
TH 3393 - BFA Movement V (2.0 cr)
TH 3xxx or higher elective (3.0 cr.)
or LNDN 3xxx or higher elective (3.0 cr.)
TH 3395 - BFA Intensive I (2.0 cr)
TH 3398 - BFA Rehearsal & Performance I (2.0 cr)
TH 3399 - BFA Rehearsal and Performance II (2.0 cr)
TH 4532 - Makeup for the Actor (2.0 cr)
DNCE/PE Movement Elective (1.0 cr)
Senior Courses
TH 4391 - BFA Intensive II (2.0 cr)
TH 4393 - BFA Rehearsal and Performance III (2.0 cr)
TH 4394 - BFA Rehearsal and Performance IV (2.0 cr)
DNCE/PE Movement Elective (1.0 cr)
TH 4395 - BFA Intensive III (2.0 cr)
TH 4398 - BFA Rehearsal and Performance V (2.0 cr)
TH 4399 - BFA Rehearsal and Performance VI (2.0 cr)
DNCE/PE Movement Elective (1.0 cr)
Other Junior/Senior Requirements
TH 3xxx or higher Theatre Department Elective (3.0 cr.)
TH 4177W - Survey of Dramatic Literature I: Strategic Interpretation [WI] (3.0 cr)
or TH 4178W - Survey of Dramatic Literature II: Representation and its Effects [WI] (3.0 cr)
or TH 3314 - Text and the Actor (3.0 cr)
or TH 5181W - Blacks in American Theatre [WI] (3.0 cr)
or AFRO 5181W - Blacks in American Theatre [WI] (3.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the Major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
· TH 4177W - Survey of Dramatic Literature I: Strategic Interpretation [WI] (3.0 cr)
· TH 4178W - Survey of Dramatic Literature II: Representation and its Effects [WI] (3.0 cr)
· TH 5181W - Blacks in American Theatre [WI] (3.0 cr)
· AFRO 5181W - Blacks in American Theatre [WI] (3.0 cr)
 
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TH 1381 - New Voices
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Instructors lead students in four Saturday workshop intensives. Student forge interdisciplinary collaborations as they journey through their respective programs. prereq: [Fr or transfer] student from BFA actor training or BA or BFA dance or BA theater
TH 1391 - BFA Acting I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Acting. prereq: Accepted into BFA acting program
TH 1392 - BFA Voice and Speech I
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Study/practice in breath centering/expansion; vocal resonance, musicality, placement; ear training; strengthening and making more flexible the muscles of speech. prereq: Accepted into BFA acting prog
TH 1393 - BFA Movement I
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Focuses on building a foundation for further work in program. prereq: BFA-acting major
TH 1501 - Introduction to Design and Technology for Live Performance
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Principles, processes, and possibilities in all areas of stage design and production. Process and relationship between artistic and production staff members. Collaboration, compromise, creation. Student are assigned to a lab in a technical area. prereq: 1101 or concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 1101
ENGL 1181W - Introduction to Shakespeare (LITR, WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: 00149 - EngL 1181/1182
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Survey of Shakespeare's work, treating approximately 10 plays. Lecture.
TH 1395 - BFA Acting II
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Continuing the process of interpreting dramatic material. prereq: 1391
TH 1396 - BFA Voice and Speech II
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Building a foundation for further work in the program. Emphasizes practicing the sounds of good American speech and of the written phonetic alphabet. prereq: 1392
TH 1397 - BFA Movement II
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
May include sections such as African dance, yoga, movement for actors, and circus techniques. Focuses on building a foundation for further work in the program. prereq: 1393
TH 3521 - Introduction to Scenic Design for Theater and Performance
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Use of space/illusion to create environments for theater/performance. Collaborative vocabulary through script interpretation/analysis. Visual literacy through sketching, painting, and drafting. Individual/group projects. prereq: 3571
TH 3531 - Introduction to Theatrical Costume Design
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Costume design process, including, researching, script analysis, the costume designer's role throughout the production process, and design problems. prereq: TH 3571
TH 3541 - Introduction to Stage Lighting Design
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Composition, color theory, instrumentation, and control (dimming) as they apply to theater, opera, and dance. Collaborative process of the lighting designer through individual and group projects in a lab setting (i.e., a theater.) prereq: 3571
TH 3571 - Introduction to Stage Technology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Hands-on techniques. Stage lighting technology in a lab (theater) setting. Electricity, optics, color, control (dimming). Construction/rigging of scenery. Operation of counter weight fly systems and power tools. Constructing a garment. Hand/machine sewing, pinning, marking, measuring, seam finishes, fabric identification. prereq: 1501
TH 2391 - BFA Acting III
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Applying concepts of first year of training to an ensemble performance project. Beginning of Shakespeare foundation unit. prereq: BFA student in theatre arts
TH 2392 - BFA Voice and Speech III
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Continuing to build a strong, healthy voice. Mastering written phonetics, sounds of good American speech for stage. Students begin to explore speaking of heightened verse, particularly Shakespearean text. prereq: BFA student in theatre arts
TH 2393 - BFA Movement III
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Deepens/refines foundation laid in BFA Movement I/II. prereq: BFA student in theatre arts
TH 3171 - History of the Theatre: Ancient Greece Through Neo-Classicism
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
History of Western theatre and drama; theatrical practices, staging conventions, and dramatic structure of plays. Ancient to mid-18th century. prereq: Th major or instr consent
TH 2395 - BFA Acting IV
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Application of process towards performance. Emphasizes Shakespeare. prereq: BFA-Acting sophomore
TH 2396 - BFA Voice and Speech IV
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Continuing to build a strong, healthy voice. Mastering written phonetics and the sounds of good American speech for the stage. Students begin basic dialect acquisition work for the stage. Emphasizes English/Irish dialects. prereq: BFA-acting, sophmore
TH 2397 - BFA Movement IV
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
May include sections such as jazz dance, partner dances, and movement for actors. prereq: BFA-acting sophmore
TH 3172 - History of the Theatre: Age of Enlightenment to Present
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Theatrical practices, staging conventions, dramatic structure of plays. prereq: Th major or instr consent
LNDN 3523 - Theatricality: Understanding the Possibilities in Theater
Credits: 3.0 [max 6.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
In-depth understanding of art of theater via survey of historical influences, changing styles/approaches to theater. Concept of theatricality.
TH 3391 - BFA Acting V
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Experiencing a foreign theater culture/history. Applying process of interpreting dramatic material to plays of that culture.
TH 3392 - BFA Voice and Speech V
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Experiencing a foreign theater culture/history. Applying voice training to dramatic material of that culture.
TH 3393 - BFA Movement V
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Experiencing a foreign theatre culture/history, applying training to dramatic material of that culture. prereq: BFA student in theatre arts
TH 3395 - BFA Intensive I
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Incorporating disciplines of acting/voice/movement. prereq: BFA-acting jr
TH 3398 - BFA Rehearsal & Performance I
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Continuing the application of process towards performance. prereq: BFA-acting jr
TH 3399 - BFA Rehearsal and Performance II
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Continuing the application of process towards performance. prereq: BFA-acting jr
TH 4532 - Makeup for the Actor
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Topics vary. May include functions/aesthetics of stage makeup, application techniques, prosthetics, and facial hair.
TH 4391 - BFA Intensive II
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Applying first three years of training toward performance. Seventh in sequence of eight. Acting, voice, and movement. Integrating the disciplines. prereq: BFA student in theatre arts
TH 4393 - BFA Rehearsal and Performance III
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Acting, voice, movement. Application of process toward performance. prereq: BFA student in theatre arts
TH 4394 - BFA Rehearsal and Performance IV
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Acting, voice and movement. Application of process toward performance. prereq: BFA student in theatre arts
TH 4395 - BFA Intensive III
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Incorporating the disciplines of acting/voice/movement. prereq: BFA-acting sr
TH 4398 - BFA Rehearsal and Performance V
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Acting, voice and movement. Continuing the application of process towards performance. prereq: BFA-acting sr
TH 4399 - BFA Rehearsal and Performance VI
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Acting, voice, and movement. Continuing the application of process towards performance. prereq: BFA-acting sr
TH 4177W - Survey of Dramatic Literature I: Strategic Interpretation (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Summer
Basic principles of script analysis as applied to stage practice from traditional/postmodern approaches. Students read plays, critical perspectives. Discussion, critical writing, performance. prereq: [[3171, 3172], [jr or sr]] or instr consent
TH 4178W - Survey of Dramatic Literature II: Representation and its Effects (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
In-depth look at how plays actively participate in production of social values and of society itself. Emphasizes consequences of choices theatre artists make. prereq: [[3171, 3172], [jr or sr]] orr instr consent
TH 3314 - Text and the Actor
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Standard stage speech, international phonetic alphabet transcription, and textual analysis to perform heightened language texts such as Shakespearean/Shavian monologues, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, and Beowulf. Videos viewed/discussed. prereq: 1101, 1321, 1322
TH 5181W - Blacks in American Theatre (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: 00962 - Afro 5181W/Th 5181W
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Historical survey of significant events in the development of American black theatre traditions. Essays, plays, playwrights, and theatres from early colonial references to the Black Arts Movement.
AFRO 5181W - Blacks in American Theatre (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: 00962 - Afro 5181/Th 5181
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Historical survey of significant events in the development of American black theater traditions. Essays, plays, playwrights, and theaters from early colonial references to the Black Arts Movement.
TH 4177W - Survey of Dramatic Literature I: Strategic Interpretation (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Summer
Basic principles of script analysis as applied to stage practice from traditional/postmodern approaches. Students read plays, critical perspectives. Discussion, critical writing, performance. prereq: [[3171, 3172], [jr or sr]] or instr consent
TH 4178W - Survey of Dramatic Literature II: Representation and its Effects (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
In-depth look at how plays actively participate in production of social values and of society itself. Emphasizes consequences of choices theatre artists make. prereq: [[3171, 3172], [jr or sr]] orr instr consent
TH 5181W - Blacks in American Theatre (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: 00962 - Afro 5181W/Th 5181W
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Historical survey of significant events in the development of American black theatre traditions. Essays, plays, playwrights, and theatres from early colonial references to the Black Arts Movement.
AFRO 5181W - Blacks in American Theatre (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: 00962 - Afro 5181/Th 5181
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Historical survey of significant events in the development of American black theater traditions. Essays, plays, playwrights, and theaters from early colonial references to the Black Arts Movement.