BFA in Theatre with emphasis in Acting

Explore your potential as an actor, director, designer, stage manager, or playwright in an intensive study of theatre within a vital liberal arts context while building a foundation of knowledge, skills, and critical perspective for a lifelong engagement with your art.

The B.F.A. degree in theatre emphasizes acting as a unique program of specialized acting study within a liberal arts context. Enriched by the intellectual growth engendered by their liberal arts and theatre courses, performing students engage in an intense investigation of acting at the highest level. The program's purpose is two-fold: to prepare students for 1) entrance into the profession and/or 2) admission to a top-flight, graduate training program. Upon completing two years of foundational actor training, students in the acting major receive advanced training in acting, stage movement, and stage voice.

A nationally ranked private university near the heart of Dallas, Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a distinguished center for global research with a liberal arts tradition. SMU’s nearly 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 90 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study, and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs through seven schools.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for its ways to support students, faculty, and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. The University’s entrepreneurial spirit lives in people from every academic discipline who see opportunities to create something new globally and work hard to bring their innovations to life. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social, and career opportunities that provide a launchpad for our students, faculty, and alumni to make a global impact. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities – from teaching, learning, and research to creativity, performance, and athletic endeavor. SMU was founded by what is now The United Methodist Church, in partnership with civic leaders. The University is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.