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May 30, 2026
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2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Acting for Stage and Screen, B.F.A.
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Department Website
The BFA in Acting for Stage and Screen has been designed to offer our acting majors a robust training program that will prepare them not only for the theatre, but for various digital and ‘screen’ mediums.
Students in our Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting for Stage and Screen will complete a range of theatre arts courses that provide both principles and practice in acting, movement, and voice. Students will also have the chance to complement their acting training with coursework in design and directing, The BFA in Acting for Stage and Screen offers professional performance experience through advanced acting projects for theatre and film and internships. In their fourth year of study, acting majors have the opportunity to travel to Chicago and participate in a Senior Experience and Actor Showcase, which is presented to local agents and casting directors.
Students must fulfill the Oakland University General Education Requirements, the General College of Arts and Sciences requirements , the College of Arts and Sciences Exploratory requirement , and the Major Requirements. Additionally, students must complete a sufficient number of free elective courses to meet the overall credit requirement for their degree. A minimum of 120 credits is required, although some degree programs may require a higher total credit count.
Acting B.F.A. majors are exempt from the College of Arts and Sciences College Exploratory requirement.
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Schedule of Classes
Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes. General Education Requirements
In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their general education courses. Each candidate for an Oakland University baccalaureate will need to satisfactorily complete approved courses in each of the following areas: Foundations, Explorations, and Integration. For details, refer to the General Education Requirements section of the catalog. Requirements for the Major in Acting for Stage and Screen, B.F.A.
Admission to the theatre degree programs Admission to the theatre department 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 theatre degree programs. The second step is the major standing audition/portfolio review, which determines whether students may continue in the program, and which degree program they will pursue. More information on the major standing audition/portfolio review can be found below under “Non-credit requirements.” 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 School of Music, Theatre and Dance 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 for stage and screen, and theatre design and technology. Students must successfully complete the events attendance requirement and the senior interview (for more information, see below under “Non-credit requirements”). Students should consult with their theatre faculty advisor and departmental advisor 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. Requirements - minimum of 80 creditsHistory and Literature Courses
Design, Production and Management Courses
Theatre Performance and Production Practica - minimum of 4 credits
The following course must be taken twice in the student’s freshman year (once in the first Fall semester and once in the first Winter semester). One performance-focused course selected from: One additional course selected from Professional Development Courses
Theatre Electives - 9 credits
Elective coursework chosen from the subject areas DAN, FLM, MUA/MUE voice classes, MUS and THA; THA 1000 excluded). Non-Credit Requirements
- Major standing - Students at the end of their second semester of study audition or present their portfolios to faculty to gain official entrance into the department. Students can pass and be placed into a major, be deferred and given another semester to attempt major standing, or be denied entrance into the department.
- Senior interview - Students in their last semester are required to write about their experiences in the department over the course of their study-both as a student and a theatre artist. They meet with faculty to assess their growth as a scholar and artist during their time at Oakland University.
Applicable Minors
All Minors are applicable to this major with the exception of the following Minor(s): Child Welfare, International Orientation for EGR/CS, and Sustainability Engineering. |
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