Department of Theatre and Dance

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is a program specifically designed for students whose certain interests and abilities strongly suggest the potential for pursuing careers as artists in the resident, professional, community, or academic theatre.

To expand the student's creative powers and deepen the commitment to a vocation in the theatre, the B.F.A. program offers the student (1) a basic probing of all the arts and crafts of the theatre; (2) an exploration in depth of one area of special interest; (3) the opportunity to participate creatively as a theatre artist through extensive production experience.

Three concentrations are offered: (1) Performance, (2) Musical Theatre, and (3) Design and Technical Production. A Dance minor is offered. Students entering the B.F.A. program will elect one of these three concentrations. The University of Memphis is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

Admission and Retention Criteria: Admission to the concentration in Performance or Design and Technical Production is by application; admission to the concentration in Musical Theatre is by audition. To remain in good standing as a major in Theatre, the student must be evaluated through the audition and interview, or portfolio and interview process. Following their audition and interview, or portfolio and interview, applicants will be notified as to whether they have been accepted into the program, accepted for one more semester on a probationary basis, or advised to pursue another degree.

(1) Performance: Retention in the Performance concentration is based on a required annual audition and interview. In addition to the interview, the student is expected to present an audition package consisting of two contrasting monologues from plays of distinctly different styles or periods. The total time of the song and monologues may not exceed three minutes.

(2) Musical Theatre: Retention in the Musical Theatre concentration is based on a required annual audition and interview. In addition to the interview, the student is expected to present an audition package consisting of monologues from plays, songs from the musical theatre canon, and a demonstration of dance styles specific to the genre. The duration of material to be presented will vary based on teh student's standing in the program and is at the discretion of the faculty.

(3) Design and Technical Production: Retention in the Design and Technical Production concentration is based on an annual required portfolio review and interview. In addition to the interview, the student is expected to present a portfolio of artistic and production work. This may consist of items including photographs, sketches, costume plates, elevations, lighting plots, ground plans, and audio designs.

The fact must be emphasized that admission to the B.F.A curriculum does not imply a student's permanent tenure in the program. Beyond the audition interview or portfolio review, the student's active participation in the co-curricular activities of the department will be assessed by the theatre and dance faculty. Artistic growth, development of technical facility, and continuing commitment to creative excellence on the part of the student will be evaluated. Permission to continue in the program will be based on this evaluation.

Internship (THEA 4541): The intent of this requirement and course is to provide the student experience in a full-time theatre production situation. Off-campus participation (usually following the junior year) is an essential element of the B.F.A. program. Details are to be planned in advance in conference with the student's advisor.

Transfer of Credit: In certain cases students may be admitted to an advanced level of the B.F.A. program. Such admission will be based upon a departmental advisor's evaluation of previous course work and theatre experience. Even if admitted to an advanced standing, the student will be required to remedy previous course deficiencies.

Advising: Upon application to the B.F.A. program, each student will be assigned a faculty advisor. For this degree, 120 semester hours are required for graduation. A minimum grade of "C-" is required in all departmental courses applicable to the major. The student must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0. A 2.0 cumulative GPA is required for all courses completed in the major.

Theatre Major (B.F.A.)

A. University General Education Program (41 hours)

See Graduation from the University for the University General Education Program requirements. Note that THEA 1030 and THEA 4549 will satisfy the General Education Humanities requirement.

B. The Major (79 hours)

1. Major Core (22 hours)

Completion of THEA 1561 or 2511, 2531, 4 hours of THEA 3601-3609, 4541, 4551, 4582, 4591.

2. Concentrations (57 hours)

a. Performance: THEA 2501, 2532, 3212 , 3213, 3412, 3505, 3506, 3531, 3532, 3551, 4457,  remaining courses are electives approved by the student’s advisor.

b. Musical Theatre: THEA 2501, 2503, 2504, 2532, three hours of 3200, 3212, 3213, 3531, 3551, 4220, 4221, 4223, 4224, 4548, Dance (8).

c. Design and Technical Production: THEA 1561 or 2511, 2512, 3511, 3561, 3562; two hours from among 3601-3609, 4554, 4558; two courses from among 4555, 4556, 4557, 4595; two courses from among 4561, 4562, 4563, 4596; remaining courses are theatre or general education electives approved by the student’s advisor.

Theatre Minor

Any student wishing to minor in Theatre should see the administrative secretary who will assign an advisor. The minor must consist of a minimum of 18 hours of approved coursework, 9 of which must be upper division. Coursework for all minors will be determined by the student in conference with the advisor.

Dance Minor

Any student wishing to minor in Dance should see the administrative secretary  who will assign an advisor. The minor must consist of a minimum of 18 hours of approved coursework, 9 of which must be upper division. Coursework for all minors will be determined by the student in conference with the advisor.

Typical 4-Year Design and Technical Production Concentration Sequence

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement

**Technology course A or B/ Design Studio A or B

Typical 4-Year Performance  Concentration Sequence

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement