Acting, B.F.A.

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Requirements for the major in acting, B.F.A.

Admission to the theatre degree programs

Admission to the theatre degree programs at Oakland University (OU) is a two-tiered process. The first step in the process for all students is the entrance audition. These auditions are held several times a year and determine whether or not a student will be admitted to OU in any of these degree programs. The second step is the major standing audition, which determines whether students may continue in the program, and which degree program they may pursue.

Entrance auditions

Entrance audition days are held several times each year. Students should be prepared to demonstrate proficiency in their proposed area of specialization. The audition schedule, audition requirements and entrance application are available on the department website.

Students seeking admission to Oakland University as acting majors must audition for the theatre faculty.
Students who audition and do not enroll within two semesters must re-audition.
Students who enroll and leave school for at least two semesters must re-audition.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is intended for students who wish pre-professional and professional preparation in dance, musical theatre, acting, and theatre design and technology. Students must successfully complete the performance production requirement, the events attendance requirement and the senior interview. Students should consult with the departmental adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office to plan their degree program. Only major courses in which a grade of at least a C has been earned will count towards the major.

Acting requirements - 72 credits

THA 1001 - Foundations of Theatre (1)
THA 1010 - Acting: The Instrument (2)
THA 1011 - Acting: The Script (2)
THA 1020 - Stagecraft (2)
THA 1021 - Costume Craft (2) or THA 1023 - Costume Construction (2)
THA 1024 - Elements of Design (2)
THA 2016 - Stage Combat I (2)
THA 2017 - Stage Voice I (2)
THA 2018 - Stage Voice II (2)
THA 3001 - Theatre History I (4) (satisfies general education arts requirement)
THA 3002 - Theatre History II (4)
THA 3010 - Acting: The Role (2)
THA 3011 - Stage Dialects (2)
THA 3014 - Acting: Auditions (2)
THA 3023 - Stage Makeup (2)
THA 3030 - Stage Management (2)
THA 3031 - Stage Manager Project (2) or THA 4031 - Dramaturgy/Assistant Director Project (2)
THA 4005 - Directing I (2)
THA 4006 - Directing II (2)
THA 4010 - Acting: Styles (2)
THA 4014 - Acting: Shakespeare (2)
THA 4017 - Acting: Advanced Studio (2)
ENG 1300 - Introduction to Shakespeare (4) or ENG 3620 - Drama (4) (satisfies general education literature requirement)
Any dance DAN technique course (2)

Movement courses - 2 courses selected from

Theatre capstone - 4 credits minimum selected from

Theatre electives - 11 credits

Elective courses chosen in consultation with theatre adviser (may include DAN technique, MUA/MUE voice classes; THA 1000 excluded).

Non-credit requirements

Major standing
Senior interview
Performance production requirement
Events attendance requirement

Additional Information

In addition to these major requirements, students must complete the Oakland University General Education Requirements and an appropriate number of free elective classes to meet the overall credit requirement for the degree (in most cases 124; some degrees may require a greater number). BFA majors are exempt from the College of Arts and Sciences College Exploratory Requirement.