BFA in Acting

About this program

The School of Drama at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts trains talented individuals to become dynamic, versatile, and accomplished artists. Students develop through rigorous practice, creative techniques, and generative work. We provide tools to hone their unique artistic voice, develop their creative process, and foster innovation. We strive to build a just, humane, and diverse school that prepares each student to thrive in a broad range of artistic careers. The school responds to a definite need in the profession for actors to be technically well-equipped and versatile, as well as creatively inspired. This vital fusion of talent and skill is the concern of the highly qualified professional faculty, who give close personal attention to each student’s development and goals. The School of Drama affirms classical stage, musical and contemporary theatre values as well as 21st techniques for film television and emerging platforms in its training process. An actor graduating from this program will possess a finely honed technique and an artistic sensitivity, capable of discerning standards of quality and integrity. As part of this process, the faculty supports the pursuit of courses in the Division of Liberal Arts in order to provide an artistically and culturally diverse environment that nurtures and develops the whole person. Above all, the actor will be grounded in a behavior that is ethical, disciplined and responsible. The School of Drama is a member of the Consortium of Conservatory Theatre Training Programs, which also includes Boston University, Carnegie Mellon University, Rutgers University and Purchase College. The consortium’s primary mission is to prepare artists for careers in the professional theatre; it also asserts standards for training, encourages public recognition, and influences policy in support of the development of theatre arts. The consortium recognizes that its effectiveness depends upon a membership that represents high standards and demonstrated leadership in the field. The Bachelor of Fine Arts Students may pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in either Acting or Directing. The Bachelor of Fine Arts program offers students a thorough foundation in the dramatic arts, with the added perspective and benefit of a liberal arts education. This mixture of arts and liberal arts classes creates a well-rounded artist and citizen. Each student committed to a career in theatre engages in a rigorous course of study with required classes in voice, movement, and acting. The curriculum includes special skills classes in mask work, stage combat, Shakespeare, accents and dialects, devised theatre, singing, and theatre dance. Each course in the curriculum supports the Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) of the School of Drama. They are: PLO#1 Professional Readiness: Graduating students will demonstrate comprehension of the subject matter for which they are responsible and adherence to industry standards of personal conduct during auditions, rehearsals, or performances. PLO#2 Technical Proficiency:Graduating students will demonstrate proficiency in the technical skill sets appropriate to the area of concentration in their specific craft. PLO#3 Business of the Performing Arts:Graduating students will apply their knowledge of the business of the performing arts required to develop and manage professional opportunities and relationships across diverse media and project types.

Audition & application overview

• Requires a live or recorded audition

In Person and Virtual