Theater Performance – Acting or Musical Theater Tracks Bachelor's Degree

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Theater Performance – Acting & Musical Theater is a rigorous program fostering creative, cognitive and artistic skills. It is intended to advance the education and training of motivated, curious, self-reliant, adaptable theater artists.

This degree is comprised of two tracks: Acting or Musical Theater.  Students can be accepted into either the Acting track or the Musical Theater track. We seek serious, disciplined students committed to rigorous training, who want the art of theater and performance to be at the core of their education.

Our Production Season includes between 8 and 9 full-length productions, including new works and artistically adventurous programming.

Theater Performance B.F.A. Courses & Curriculum

View Courses & Requirements in the Official Academic Catalog

Studio classes emphasize the authentic use of self, the reality of doing, the collaborative process and the acquisition and mastery of performance skills. Advanced courses introduce a wide range of approaches to the craft of performance and the further development of the actor’s instrument.

Theater Performance B.F.A. students take a series of foundation and production practicum courses, plus courses in their acting or musical theater areas.

Choose from many OHIO minors and certificate programs to diversify your skills and prepare you for the business, including:

• Actor Musicianship Certificate
• Performing Arts Health and Wellness Certificate
• Dance: Performance and Choreography Minor
• Stage Management Minor
• Film Minor
• Screenwriting and Digital Storytelling Minor
• Social Media Certificate

Acting Track

Acting, movement, and voice and speech are taught in a linear progression of courses and special projects throughout the four-year curriculum.

• Studio classes emphasize ensemble building and collaborative process, the authentic use of self, the reality of doing, the awakening of the emotional life. and the collaborative process.
• In the movement studio, emphasis is placed on the human body as an instrument of expression, and on developing strength, alignment, flexibility, availability and stamina.
• Voice and speech classes focus on releasing habitual tension, increasing power and range, and utilizing specific speech skills.
• Advanced courses in each of these areas introduce a wide range of approaches to the craft of acting and the further development of the actor’s instrument.
• New plays are in development weekly giving students numerous opportunities to work with undergraduate playwrights.
• On-camera auditions are held the first month of each academic year for M.F.A. graduate filmmakers in the School of Film. Curricular and hands-on Acting for Film experience.
• Film: Regular auditions for B.F.A. and M.F.A. film students for opportunities to act in their films, as well as coursework in acting for the camera, allowing students to build a reel by graduation.

Musical Theater Track

Ohio University’s musical theater program is suited for students interested in creating the next generation of musical theater. The program focuses on strong actor training, collaboration within a community of theater artists, and opportunities to perform in different types of productions, from musicals to cabarets to contemporary plays to classics, devised, original, and self-produced work. Students learn the entrepreneurial aspects of creating theater and will be well positioned to work in a variety of theater settings upon graduation.

• Process-based actor training centered on the authentic use of self.
• Singing training, including private voice instruction, with a foundation in classic musical theater singing style, and the development of pop/rock, contemporary, and alternative singing styles.
• Dance classes in a gamut of styles, including jazz, ballet, modern, tap, hip hop, African dance, and contemporary musical theater dance.
• Programmatic focus on critical thinking; centering joy and gratitude; and a clear-eyed view of the acting business as it is today.
• Guest Artists: Short and long-term guest residencies with professionals working on Broadway and nationally.
• New Work: Participate in readings, workshops, and full productions of new work written by B.F.A. playwrights and guest professionals.