Butler University’s Jordan College of the Arts is launching a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting in fall 2023. The curriculum is specifically intended for the serious undergraduate student seeking deep actor training that is complemented and supported by production experiences in all aspects of theatre.
The BFA in Acting is offered through Butler University’s Department of Theatre, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The program has received full approval from the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Applications for admission will open May 1, 2023.
The BFA in Acting curriculum is designed to prepare students for entry into professional acting work and/or graduate MFA Acting programs. Enrolled students will develop the necessary technical and essential skills for a career in professional acting through courses in acting, voice for the actor, stage movement, and other performance-related topics. Additionally, students will take an array of theatre courses that will provide them with a firm foundation in all aspects of theatre including design and technology, analysis, history, directing, and more.
“Butler’s BFA in Acting completely honors our ethos of developing individual student voices and supporting students on their chosen journey. We are excited to be able to offer this program to our current and prospective students,” Diane Timmerman, Chair and Professor of Theatre, said.
Prospective students interested in pursuing an acting focus will audition for the program. Admission to the program includes evaluation of student auditions, as well as the student’s potential for growth.
Butler’s BFA in Acting offers flexible timelines that allow for additional opportunities for students and also give them time to decide if they want to pursue the BFA in Acting or the traditional BA in Theatre. By offering both a BFA in Acting and a BA in Theater, Butler students can self-select which academic program better fits their needs and career aspirations. Additionally, the new BFA in Acting harnesses the existing resources of Butler’s robust Theatre Department. BFA in Acting students can also pursue additional areas of emphasis in music theatre, directing, costume design, scenic design, and stage management.
Students accepted into the program will participate in a diverse range of productions encompassing a wide array of genres in a variety of venues over the course of their four-year program. The mainstage production program includes repertoire from various genres of theatre: contemporary, classical, musical, international, children’s theatre, devised, and more. Butler’s theatre production spaces include a rotation among the following venues: 100-seat Studio Theatre, 450-seat proscenium theatre, 350-seat “Greek-style” (indoor) theatre, and a 2200-seat theatre.
Additional information about these programs and Butler’s additional academic offerings can be found at www.butler.edu/academics.