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Acting, B.F.A.
Colleges / Schools
Departments
Program Types
Intensive, Rigorous, Rewarding
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
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting
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.
Musical Theater Concentration
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.
On Stage Opportunities
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:
- Under Siege Student Theater: a student group producing a variety of performances, showcases, workshops and readings.
- Improv Club: stages an evening of improv comedy each semester.
- Cabaret Club: presents a musical theater variety performance each semester.
- Knight Club: a campus-wide dance troupe.
For more information on these student organizations, email arcadiastudenttheatre@gmail.com.
Acting Audition
An audition is required for all students interested in pursuing our B.F.A. in Acting program. Students interested in the B.A. in Theater Arts do not need an audition.
Audition Requirements
BFA in Acting Audition Requirements
- Two monologues from a published play not to exceed three minutes. Please do not attempt any monologue from film or television.
- Please bring a theatrical resume, and an 8x10 headshot. If you do not have a professional headshot, please bring a recent, accurate photo focusing on your face.
BFA in Acting with a Musical Theater Concentration Audition Requirements
- Approximately 32 bars of a piece taken from the musical theatre canon. *An accompanist will be provided and should be utilized. (If auditioning at the Chicago Unified Auditions, please bring accompaniment on an mp3 player or cell phone in addition to the materials below.
- One monologue from a published play not to exceed one minute. Please do not attempt any monologue from film or television.
- Please bring sheet music for the accompanist in the correct key with cuts clearly marked, a theatrical resume, and an 8x10 headshot. If you do not have a professional headshot, please bring a recent, accurate photo focusing on your face.
Students have the choice of the following dates:
On-Campus Auditions
- Sunday, October 20th (Fall Open House Event)
- Sunday, November 17 (Fall Open House Event)
- Saturday, March 7 (Academic Visit Day- for Fall 2020 applicants and admitted students)- To select an audition time, click here.
- Saturday, April 4 (Scarlet and Grey Day- for students admitted to Arcadia)- To select an audition time, click here.
Off-Campus Auditions
- October 26: MARCAS- Mid-Atlantic Regional College Auditions at Rowan University
For more information and registration, click here. - November 14-15: Florida Theater Conference in Gainesville, Florida
For more information and registration, click here. - November 21: North Texas College Auditions in Plano, Texas
For more information and registration, click here. - January 2- 4: Pennsylvania Thespian Conference in York, PA
For more information and registration, click here. - February 2-5: Chicago Unified at Palmer House Hilton, Chicago
To sign up for a time, please click here. For more information, click here. - February 26- 29: SETC- South Eastern Theater Conference in Louisville, KY
For more information and registration, click here.
If you have any questions prior to the audition or are unable to make the following dates, please contact the Office of Enrollment Management at 215-572-2910 or by email at admiss@arcadia.edu for more information.
Our Faculty
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)