The Bachelor of Fine Arts track in Acting is offered for students who, upon graduation, plan to pursue a specialized performance career in Acting. It provides the student with a thorough foundation in theatre complemented by very structured and intensive career preparation in all areas of acting. Class work is augmented with practical production experiences. Drawing upon the teachings of Stanislavski-based methodologies, as well as other successful practical acting techniques, the professional acting program offers an organic approach to performance training. The program begins with a focus on the fundamentals of acting: development of imagination, self awareness, improvisation, voice production/diction and movement. During the first two years, the student also receives training in script analysis, singing and dance. The training then moves to an emphasis on characterization, character development and studio training/scene study. This practical study, drawn from the total range of dramatic literature, provides the student with performance experiences ranging from the classical to the contemporary, including verse and musical theatre. The program culminates with a professional internship where students are able to apply their education in a real world work environment. While most students choose to enter the work force following graduation, the BFA is an excellent degree for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in theatre. Work within the BFA program requires energy and dedication; therefore, other part-time study or outside employment is very challenging. BFA standards are high, both for admission and for continuation in the program.
Admission Requirements
- The departmental faculty evaluates students desiring to become BFA majors via auditions and interviews. This should be completed the academic year prior to attending UCF. For complete information visit the audition site online at https://performingarts.cah.ucf.edu/study/#theatreundergrad. All BFA students are accepted on a "Provisional" basis their first year. Faculty will evaluate their work and decide whether or not the student may continue the program at the end of the first year.
- Students may audition once for each program and should do so during the same audition cycle if interested in more than one program. FTIC students who do not enroll at UCF and return after earning a FCS AA degree may audition a second time.
- The Acting plan of study requires a Fall start for proper course sequencing. Students are not accepted to begin theatre courses in the Spring or Summer semesters.
Degree Requirements
- Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog. Students must follow the most recent department, internship and school student handbooks which are available at https://performingarts.cah.ucf.edu/academics/student-resources/.
- Students in this major must earn a "C" (2.0) or better or an "S" in each music or theatre course and maintain a 3.0 GPA for all courses required in the major and all courses taken in theatre; must not receive a negative evaluation in a regularly scheduled program review; and must not exhibit chronic unprofessional behavior. Failure to meet these standards will result in probation and/or dismissal from the program. Refer to the SPA Undergraduate Student Handbook-Theatre (https://performingarts.cah.ucf.edu/academics/student-resources/) for details on program standards.
- Departmental Residency Requirement consists of 60 semester hours of courses taken from the UCF Theatre Department.
- All BFA Acting majors are required to audition for all Fall and Spring productions and must accept the roles assigned. Students must be registered for the appropriate Theatre Participation course in the term in which they participate. Students need not take additional hours to satisfy practicum requirements. Once students have completed their production participation requirements, they may register for a "0" credit participation course to meet departmental registration requirements if they choose. Students may use additional participation credits as electives.
- The department will accept one credit of Theatre Participation coursework for students transferring into the program. Any additional transfer participation credits will count towards electives.
- Internships are subject to departmental approval and may not be fulfilled through participating on a UCF theatre production.
- Courses designated Common Program Prerequisites are usually completed in the first 60 hours.
- Courses designated General Education Program are taken throughout all four years.
- Co-op cannot be used in this major.
Degree Requirements
Core Requirements: Basic Level
13 Total Credits
- Earn at least 13 credits from the following:
- TPA2248C - Makeup Techniques (2)
- DAA2200C - Ballet I (2)
- TPP2170C - Acting II - The Actor and Text (3)
- TPP2710C - Freeing the Voice (2)
- TPP2190L - Theatre Participation-Performance I (0 - 99)
- TPP2120C - Improvisation for the Actor (3)
Core Requirements: Advanced Level
58 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- THE3311 - Theatre History and Dramatic Literature I (3)
- THE3312 - Theatre History and Dramatic Literature II (3)
- THE3313 - Theatre History and Dramatic Literature III (3)
- TPP3310C - Directing for Theatre I (3)
- TPP3173C - Acting III - The Actor and Character (3)
- TPP4140C - Acting IV - The Actor at Play (3)
- TPP4142C - Acting Verse (3)
- TPP4265C - Camera Acting (3)
- TPP3711C - Voice and International Phonetic Alphabet (2)
- TPP3712C - Voice and Heightened Text (2)
- TPP4730C - Voice and Accents (2)
- TPP3510C - Movement for the Actor I (2)
- TPP3513C - Movement for the Actor II (2)
- TPP4523C - Period Movement (2)
- TPP4530C - Stage Combat (2)
- TPP3257C - Musical Theatre Voice Techniques (2)
- TPP3258C - Musical Theatre Voice Styles (2)
- TPP4221 - Auditioning (3)
- TPP4223C - Theatre Careers in Performance (3)
- TPP4940L - Theatre Internship (6)
- THE4954 - Theatre Exit Critique
- THE4085 - Health and Wellness for the Performing Artist (3)
- Earn at least 1 credits from the following:
- TPA4298L - Theatre Participation-Production II (0 - 99)
- THE4093L - Theatre Participation-Management II (1)
- TPP4193L - Theatre Participation-Performance II (1 - 99)
Restricted Electives
2 Total Credits
- Earn at least 2 credits from the following types of courses: Any THE, TPA, TPP, DAA, or DAN course taught by the Theatre Department, except THE 3006, and not already applied toward a program requirement . Independent Study, Undergraduate Research, and Honors in the Major courses taught by the Department of Theatre can also be used as electives. Exceptions must be approved by the Theatre Department Undergraduate Coordinator in advance. Courses with these prefixes not taught by the Department of Theatre cannot be used in this program.
Grand Total Credits: 73
Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 129
Restricted Electives
Capstone Requirements
Electives
Foreign Language Requirements
Admissions
- Two years of one foreign language in high school, or one year of one foreign language in college (or equivalent proficiency exam) prior to graduation.
Graduation
Additional Requirements
- Signature Experience requirement is met by successful completion of the following course(s): TPP 4940L - Theatre Internship Credit Hours: 6
Required Minors or Area of Concentration
Departmental Exit Requirements
- Earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in each Theatre course.
- Maintain a Theatre GPA of "B" (3.0) or better.
- Complete an Exit Survey, Exit Interview and Audit Check the semester prior to final semester of theatre classes.
- Complete 93 theatre credits in addition to the GEP for a total of 129. Courses that count in the GEP cannot also count towards total theatre credits.
- Minimum of 60 theatre credits must be completed in residency at UCF.
University Minimum Exit Requirements
- A 2.0 UCF GPA
- 42 semester hours of upper division credit completed.
- 60 semester hours earned after CLEP awarded.
- 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF.
- A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted.
- Complete the General Education Program, the Gordon Rule, and nine hours of Summer credit.
Additional Information
Honors In Major
- Students interested in completing Honors in the Major should contact their program advisor. More information about Honors in the Major can be found at https://honors.ucf.edu/hut/about/#hut.
Related Programs
- Art, Studio Track (B.A.)
- Film (B.F.A.)
- Music (B.A.)
- Theatre Studies (B.A.)
Related Certificates
Related Minors
- Theatre Minor
- Dance Minor
- Art - Studio Minor
- Music Minor
- Film, Cinema Studies Minor
Advising Notes
- Students must consult with a departmental advisor every semester before registration. Students who do not consult with their department advisor will be placed on departmental probation. Repeated failure to consult with a department advisor may lead to release from the program.
Transfer Notes
- Due to its conservatory nature, the BFA demands a closely integrated four-year curriculum. Although the program is not designed for transfer students, transfer students may audition and may be admitted, but they should consult with the Department Undergraduate Coordinator to evaluate their transfer credits and to estimate the length of their program of study. We encourage any student wishing to transfer to complete the General Education Program and the Common Program Prerequisites before transferring within the Florida College System or State University System. Additional guidance for transfer students can be found on the theatre website.
- Courses taken at Florida College System institutions may substitute for select upper-level courses with permission of the department, although they will not count as upper-level credits. University minimum upper-level credit requirements must still be met.
- Transfer students will be required to meet the departmental theatre participation requirement through participation on UCF productions.
- Courses transferred from private and out-of-state schools must be evaluated for equivalency credit. The student must provide all supporting information.
Acceptable Substitutes for Transfer Courses
- THE 2305 - Script Analysis for Theatre Credit Hours: 3 May use any introductory Theatre Play or Script Analysis class. Script Analysis for Film cannot substitute.
- TPA 2200 - Introduction to Technical Theatre Credit Hours: 2 May be substituted with any introductory Stagecraft course.
- TPA 2200L - Intro to Technical Theatre Lab Credit Hours: 1 May be substituted with any introductory Stagecraft course.
- TPP 3310C - Directing for Theatre I Credit Hours: 3 May be substituted with TPP 2300 or any introductory Theatre Directing Course. Directing for Film cannot substitute.
- TPP 2110C – Acting I – Freeing the Actor Credit Hours: 3 May be substituted with any introductory acting for theatre course.
Equipment Fees
- Part-Time Student: $45 per term
- Full-Time Student: $90 per term
Plan of Study
Freshman Year - Fall (16 Credit Hours)
- ENC 1101 - Composition I Credit Hours: 3
- THE 2000 - Theatre Survey Credit Hours: 3
- THE 2081C - Introduction to UCF Theatre Credit Hours: 0
- TPP 2710C - Freeing the Voice Credit Hours: 2
- THE 2305 - Script Analysis for Theatre Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 3510C - Movement for the Actor I Credit Hours: 2
- TPP 2120C - Improvisation for the Actor Credit Hours: 3
Freshman Year - Spring (16 Credit Hours)
- ENC 1102 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 3711C - Voice and International Phonetic Alphabet Credit Hours: 2
- TPP 2110C - Acting I – Freeing the Actor Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 3513C - Movement for the Actor II Credit Hours: 2
- TPA 2248C - Makeup Techniques Credit Hours: 2
- THE 2925L - Theatre Participation - Management I Credit Hours: 1
Sophomore Year - Fall (17 Credit Hours)
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- TPA 2200 - Introduction to Technical Theatre Credit Hours: 2
- TPA 2200L - Intro to Technical Theatre Lab Credit Hours: 1
- THE 3311 - Theatre History and Dramatic Literature I Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 2170C - Acting II – The Actor and Text Credit Hours: 3
- DAA 2200C - Ballet I Credit Hours: 2
Sophomore Year - Spring (14 Credit Hours)
- TPP 3173C - Acting III - The Actor and Character Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 4221 - Auditioning Credit Hours: 3
- THE 3312 - Theatre History and Dramatic Literature II Credit Hours: 3
- THE 4085 - Health and Wellness for the Performing Artist Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 3712C - Voice and Heightened Text Credit Hours: 2
Junior Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
- TPP 4140C - Acting IV - The Actor at Play Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 4531C - Period Movement Credit Hours: 2
- THE 3313 - Theatre History and Dramatic Literature III Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 4512C - Stage Combat Credit Hours: 2
- TPP 4265C - Camera Acting Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 4730C - Voice and Accents Credit Hours: 2
Junior Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 4142C - Acting Verse Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 4223C - Theatre Careers in Performance Credit Hours: 3
- TPA 2290L - Theatre Participation-Production I Credit Hours: 1
- TPP 3257C - Musical Theatre Voice Techniques Credit Hours: 2
Junior Year - Summer (6 Credit Hours)
- TPP 4940L - Theatre Internship Credit Hours: 6
Senior Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- TPP 4193L - Theatre Participation-Performance II Credit Hours: 1
- TPP 3258C - Musical Theatre Voice Styles Credit Hours: 2
- TPP 3310C - Directing for Theatre I Credit Hours: 3
- Theatre Elective Credit Hours: 3
- THE 4954 - Theatre Exit Critique Credit Hours: 0
- Audit Check
Senior Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- Theatre Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Theatre Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Theatre Elective Credit Hours: 2
- Theatre Participation Credit Hours: 1
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
- General Education Credit Hours: 3
