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.
VIEW REQUIREMENTS
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.
VIEW REQUIREMENTS
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.
MEET OUR STUDENTS
Acting Audition
An audition is required for all students interested in pursuing our B.F.A. in Acting program.
Step 1: Apply to Arcadia University online
Step 2: Upload interview or audition materials on
Acceptd.* ($40 fee applies)
Step 3: Apply for
Financial Aid
2021-2022 Audition Information
This year we are happy to announce a return to in-person auditions both on campus and around the country at various locations listed below. Should you wish to submit digital materials online, you can still do so.
On-Campus Audition Dates (apply though Acceptd and select preferred audition date):
- Saturday, October 16, 2021
- Saturday, December 11, 2021
- Saturday, February 19, 2022
- Saturday, April 2, 2022
For those applicants wishing to audition in-person on our campus, you will be required to select your preferred audition date. Please note that our on campus audition day events include not only your audition, but also a campus tour, meetings with students, faculty and admissions/financial aid representatives, lunch and a faculty-lead workshop. The span of day is typically 9:30-3:30. After selecting your preferred day, someone from the University will be in contact with you regarding your audition day schedule and to confirm number of guests.
Off-Campus Auditon Dates (subject to change):
- November 6, 2021 (Mid-Atlantic Region College Auditions - MARCAs - Rowan University)
- November 11-13, 2021 (Florida Theater Conference - Winter Park, FL)
- November 18, 2021 (North Texas Drama Auditions - Plano/Dallas)
- November 21, 2021 (Greater Houston Area Auditions)
- December 2-4, 2021 (Pennsylvania Thespians)
- January 6-8, 2022 (Kansas Thespians - Wichita)
- February 6-10, 2022 Chicago Unified Auditions
- March 10-13, 2022 (SETC - Memphis)
*** For all off-campus auditions you should NOT use Acceptd, as many of the venues have separate application and registration fees and procedures.
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 weeks after submitting their completed (Theater Arts AND University) application to the University.
- Final Deadline for all submissions is May 15th, 2022
After our performance faculty have reviewed your materials one of the following will occur:
- You will receive a letter with the results of your audition
OR
- You will be invited to do an online call-back interview. We would like to get to know you and let you ask us questions. We may ask for additional material or to make adjustments to your original selections.
Audition Requirements
For BFA in Acting & BFA in Acting with a Concentration in Musical Theater:
For BFA in Acting Audition Requirements
Students may choose:
Option A
- One (1), 60-90 second contemporary monologue (written during the 20th Century-present) from a published play. This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds.
- The contemporary monologue should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
Option B
- Two (2), 60-90 second contrasting monologues
- One (1) Contemporary (written after 1900); Contemporary monologues should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
- One (1) Classical (written pre-1900); Classical monologues should be filmed in a “full body” shot which means the top of the head to the feet on the floor should be visible in the frame. Only perform Shakespeare if you feel comfortable doing so.
BFA in Acting with a Musical Theater Concentration Audition Requirements
Students may choose:
Option A (One monologue and Two songs)
- One (1), 60-90 second contemporary monologue (written during the 20th Century-present) from a published play.
- This time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds.
- The contemporary monologue should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
- Two (2), 60-90 second contrasting songs
- One song should be a ballad and one song should be an uptempo
- Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
- Students must sing to live or recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing.
- Songs should be filmed in a ¾ shot which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.
Option B (Two monologues and Two songs)
- Two (2), 60-90 second contrasting monologues
- One (1) Contemporary (written after 1900); Contemporary monologues should be filmed in a “close-up” shot which means the top of the head to the chest should be visible in the frame.
- One (1) Classical (written pre-1900); Classical monologues should be filmed in a “full body” shot which means the top of the head to the feet on the floor should be visible in the frame. Only perform Shakespeare if you feel comfortable doing so.
- Two (2), 60-90 second contrasting songs
- One song should be a ballad and one song should be an uptempo
- Each song file should be 60-90 seconds (this time limit includes the slate at the beginning of the piece and is strictly adhered to; please do not upload media files longer than 90 seconds)
- Students must sing to live or recorded accompaniment. No “a cappella” singing.
- Songs should be filmed in a ¾ shot which means the top of the head to the knees should be visible in the frame.
* 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.
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)
MEET OUR FACULTY
