The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting is a degree option for students interested in an intensive performance program leading to the pursuit of graduate study and/or careers in professional acting. These students immerse themselves in advanced technique in acting, voice, and movement courses, and learn the application of these skills to characterization in a wide range of productions in which they perform.
Admission to the BFA in Acting Major is by audition only. Students may audition for the major prior to enrolling at UMBC or during the first year of study. Auditions are typically held in November, January, February, March, and August.
Please note, students cannot be admitted to the BFA in Acting Major without acceptance to UMBC by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. However, as long as we have an application on file, students can begin the audition process.
Student Expectations for current and prospective BFA Acting students can be found here.
Transfer Students, Accelerated BFA in Acting Track
UMBC Theatre offers an Accelerated BFA in Acting degree track for transfers with prior college acting training. Depending on previous coursework, the Accelerated BFA major may earn their degree in 4 or 5 semesters. Students must plan to audition for the Accelerated Track prior to enrolling at UMBC.
Auditions are typically held in November, February and August. To learn more about the BFA Audition Process, click here, or email theatre@umbc.edu.
Acting, BFA – 64 credits
Required courses in this degree program are listed below. There are also many lower and upper level Theatre electives that are offered to these majors. For course descriptions, please visit the online UMBC Undergraduate Catalog.
Acting, BFA Core: (30 Credits)
THTR 100 Stagecraft (3)
THTR 104 Costume Construction (3)
THTR 110 Intro to Acting OR THTR 220 Craft of Acting I (3)
THTR 120 Intro to Theatre: Theory & Production (3)
THTR 202 Intro to Drama Lit (3)
THTR 261 Theatre Production: Running Crew (1)
THTR 262 Theatre Production: Light & Sound (1)
THTR 263 Theatre Production: Costumes OR THTR 264 Theatre Production: Scenery (1)
THTR 310 History of Theatre (3)
THTR 344 Script Analysis (3)
THTR 411 Modern Theatre: History & Practice (3)
THTR 460 Theatre Capstone (3)
Acting, BFA Requirements: (30 credits)
THTR 221 Craft of Acting II (3)
THTR 222 Vocal Training for the Actor I (3)
THTR 223 Vocal Training for the Actor II (3)
THTR 229 Movement for the Actor (3)
THTR 239 Movement II: Alexander Technique (3)
THTR 324 Craft of Acting III (3)
THTR 325 Vocal Training for the Actor III (3)
THTR 329 Movement for the Actor III (3)
THTR 345 Auditioning and the Business of Acting (3)
THTR 347 Character & Scene Study (4) OR THTR 421 Acting Shakespeare (3)
Production or Performance Requirement: (4–12 Credits)
All BFA students must participate in a production or performance course in each of their final four semesters. These may be fulfilled with any of the following:
THTR 339 Advanced Production Techniques
THTR 390 Theatre in Production
THTR 490 Production Workshop
All BFA Acting majors are evaluated throughout the course of study, and must maintain a B or above in all studio courses to progress into higher-level classes and earn the degree.