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> Academics > Programs > Acting, B.F.A.
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The Theater Arts and Acting program at Arcadia University goes beyond a traditional conservatory-style approach—immersing you in all aspects of theatrical creation. Our Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Acting will challenge you to develop your talents, to cultivate your knowledge, and to think globally in a wider world of cultures and ideas.
The University’s intimate size provides close interaction with faculty in a liberal arts setting. Proximity to Philadelphia’s dynamic theatre community connects students with industry professionals who are regularly on campus as instructors and guest artists.
Arcadia Theater productions provide opportunities to bring all of those skills to the stage. Our productions are directed by prestigious visiting artists and resident faculty, all of whom are active in Philadelphia’s vibrant theater community.
Photos by Fig Tree Studio Photography
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting is an intensive four-year sequential course of study in acting, the speaking voice, speech, movement, stage combat, dramatic literature and the history of the theater. The schedule is rigorous; in a typical week, a student works directly with faculty for 27 to 40 hours and spends a comparable amount of time in preparation.
The first two years of training focus on the development of the actor’s imagination and an exploration of the inner resources as they relate to the external demands of the craft. During the third and fourth years, classroom work broadens to consider the elements of style and modes of behavior in various historical periods. B.F.A. candidates are continuously engaged in rehearsal and public performance.
An audition is required for admission to the BFA program. See Audition tab.
The concentration in Musical Theater is a uniquely designed program supplementing the B.F.A. in Acting with a sequence of courses in musical theater. This pre-professional degree program is designed as a launching pad to the theater arts profession and/or further study at the graduate level.
In addition to completing the requirements for the B.F.A. in Acting, students pursuing the Concentration in Musical Theater follow a sequence of courses in voice training, dance and movement, song interpretation, foundational music courses, and performance practice in various styles within the genre.
The Arcadia University Theater provides B.F.A. candidates and the entire campus community with a season of professional quality productions that showcase the talents, passions, and dedication of our student artists. Our productions are directed, designed, and choreographed by active professional artists from Philadelphia’s vibrant theatre community.
Students in the program can also gain performance experience through several student-run performance groups active on campus, including:
For more information on these student organizations, email arcadiastudenttheatre@gmail.com.
***If you would like a chance to audition live please join the department at Acceptd’s Virtual Walk-In Auditions for Musical Theatre & Acting on February 19th and 20th. *($20 fee applies)
For BFA in Acting & BFA in Acting with a Concentration in Musical Theater:
For BFA in Acting Audition Requirements
Students may choose:
Option A
Option B
BFA in Acting with a Musical Theater Concentration Audition Requirements
Students may choose:
Option A (One monologue and Two songs)
Option B (Two monologues and Two songs)
* There should NOT be a separate “slate” video. Instead slates are to appear at the beginning of each piece. The proper slate for a song is to share your name, the song title, and show in which it appears.The proper slate for a monologue is to share your name, the title of the play, and the playwright.
Digital Submission Deadlines
Because of our rolling acceptance approach to admission into the BFA programs, students will learn the results of their audition within approximately 4-6 weeks after submitting their completed application to the University and their digital materials. Please refer to the following timetable when making your submission.
After our performance faculty have reviewed your materials one of the following will occur:
OR
Meet our dedicated faculty of passionate and caring teachers, who are also accomplished professional theater artists.
“My professors at Arcadia gave me the skills I needed to work confidently in the professional theatre world. The years I've spent training in the BFA program helped me define the kind of artist I want to be. My professors are now my cast mates, and even now, long after graduation, I can still call on them for advice and support.”
— Taysha Canales (BFA ’11)
Theater Arts
Spruance Fine Arts Center
267-620-4814
Enrollment Management
1-877-272-ARCADIA (1-877-272-2342)
admiss@arcadia.edu
TH391 • 3 Credits
Acting a Song is a workshop class aimed at beginning actors or others who have an interest in musical theater and performance.
Prerequisites: TH150 or TH241 or permission of the instructor
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Acting a Song is a workshop class aimed at beginning actors or others who have an interest in musical theater and performance. Musical theater is often first point of contact for students of theater, yet high school theater settings often do not allow the time needed to explore the process of performing a song effectively. Using songs from the American Musical Theater cannon the course seeks to reinforce lessons learned in Improv and Scene Study.
Prerequisites TH150 or TH241 or permission of the instructor