Theatre BFA
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre is a 130-credit program providing intensive specialized course work for students seeking professional training in one of four separate tracks: Acting, Stage Management, Costume Production, or Technical Production. The BFA uncovers the potential of each student to develop personal performance and/or production practices. Admission to each BFA track is selective and competitive. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Arts curriculum will gain practical experience through participation in classroom projects, workshops, performance activity in the department, and related activity developed in conjunction with other disciplines in the Peck School of the Arts and the Milwaukee theatre community.
Each track follows an integrated curriculum based on an intensive, specialized array of courses and endows students with a sense of their identity as artists while preparing them for advanced graduate study or entry into the profession of theatre practice. Students must continue to show artistic growth and progress and meet academic grade requirements to continue the program. Progress reviews are conducted each semester
Requirements, Curriculum & Course Descriptions
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre is a 130-credit program. BFA Theatre majors are required to fulfill the department’s core then focus their study on one of the following tracks:
- BFA Acting: The program builds on the department’s core curriculum to develop within the student a deepened, strengthened, and professional level of competency in acting and a sense of identity as a performing artist.
- BFA Stage Management: The program develops students’ practical management, communication, and technical theatre skills and techniques to successfully manage rehearsals and performances of theatrical and related entertainment events.
- BFA Costume Production: The program teaches the art and craft of creating costumes for the stage, developing skills that will place students in professional theatre costume shops in the United States, or on the path to higher education in costume design and construction.
- BFA Technical Production: The program provides students with education and skills in many technical areas of theatre including scenery production, properties production, lighting and sound. Students will be prepared for careers in the professional theatre shops or continued study at the graduate level.
Please refer to the Theatre section of UWM's online undergraduate bulletin at: uwm.edu/ugcatalog/SC/D_FA_T.html
Application Process
Application to the BFA Theatre Program occurs after a student has successfully completed the following (or equivalent) course work with a GPA of 3.0 in the major:
Math Proficiency
English Proficiency
Theatre 110 Acting I
Theatre 230 Acting II
Theatre 214 Stagecraft
Theatre 225 Costume Construction
Theatre 305 The Theatrical Experience
Prospective transfer students must be admitted to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before applying to the BFA program in Theatre.
Apply online at: apply.wisconsin.edu
BFA program applicants (including transfer students) must:
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Undergo an in-person interview. Actors must also take an audition. Candidates will be scheduled for interviews and auditions upon receipt of a complete application packet.
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High School students are encouraged to pre-audition for all BFA Programs during their senior year of high school. Accepted students will gain full admission to the BFA Program upon successful completion of the Theatre Core classes.
ACTINGSubmit the following materials BEFORE your audition:
AuditionAuditions are held on campus at UWM. The first hour will be a workshop for all those auditioning. Please wear comfortable clothes that you can move in. You must attend the workshop portion of the audition. Individual auditions/interviews will follow for which you will need one 90 second monologue of any kind. Assigned slots will be provided. Your audition is complete once you perform your monologue/interview. DeadlinesPlease submit all materials before your audition (October 26, 2012; February 9, 2013; or April 5, 2013). Alternative audition dates may be set up with advanced notice. For questions regarding the audition contact: Bill Watson, Head of Acting bwatson@uwm.edu |
PRODUCTIONSubmit the following materials:
InterviewsInterviews are held on campus at UWM. (October 26, 2012, April 5, 2013 or by arrangement). Candidates will be scheduled for interviews upon receipt of a complete application packet. DeadlinesMarch 22, 2013: Application deadline for Fall 2013 admission For questions regarding Tech Production contact: Sandra Strawn, Head of Technical Production strawn@uwm.edu For questions regarding Costume Production contact : Jeffrey Lieder, Head of Costume Production jlieder@uwm.edu |
Application Deadlines
Prospective students may inquire about future application deadlines by phone at (414) 229-4947 or via e-mail at theatreinfo@uwm.edu.
Important Dates
Audition dates for entrance into the BFA Acting Program for Fall 2013 are:
October 26, 2012 1:00-4:00 pm
February 9, 2013 10:00 am-1:00 pm
April 5, 2013 1:00-4:00 pm
Interview dates for entrance into the BFA Costume Production, BFA Technical Production and BFA Stage Management are:
October 26, 2012 1:00-4:00 pm
April 5, 2013 1:00-4:00 pm
Notification of acceptance follows interview date.
Prospective students may inquire about future application deadlines by phone at (414) 229-4947 or via e-mail at theatreinfo@uwm.edu.
Apply Online
Laptop Requirement
Upper level students within specific program areas in the Department of Theatre (Technical Production) will be required to have an Apple PowerBook laptop computer for their course work by the first day of class.
More information on the laptop requirement.
BFA Opportunities
Beyond the curriculum, the production and performance activity of the department serve to expand the classroom education. It is a vital resource for our students and allows for the practical application of all curriculums.
Production/Performance
More information at: arts.uwm.edu/theatre/performances
New Directions
These student productions are performed in the Kenilworth 508 space. They offer opportunities to students in all areas of theatre, playwriting, directing, acting, and designing. Students have a chance to test their expertise, to experiment, to produce and perform, and to develop their own ideas as artists.
Study Beyond
The department offers several courses that take students further out in to the world. Students have traveled to New York, Shanghai, New Zealand, Italy, Paris, London and Dublin on study tours.
Practicum
Practicum credits in the major are a deliberate way to encourage students to engage in the professional community. UWM students have earned practicum credits of many of the professional companies in Milwaukee. UWM is the only urban university that can draw on the rich and thriving resources of a professional community
For More Information
Student Recruitment
Theatre Building 120
(414) 229-6135
contact.uwm.edu