Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Major in Theatre

This major is an intensive pre-professional curriculum that must be followed in consultation with a BFA adviser of theatre. The program is designed to provide a broad understanding and an opportunity for full experience in the theatre arts through a curriculum of pre-professional training.

The BFA program is divided into two curricula:

Performance curriculum, emphasizing acting; and the Production curriculum, concentrating upon design and technical theatre.

Additionally, in conjunction with Wayne State's MFA in Theatre Management, there are opportunities for undergraduate experience working in the Graduate Theatre Management Office or in our Wayne State University Box office.

Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Theatre

The Bachelor of Arts is a general curriculum for those who wish to hone job skills with challenging courses in all aspects of theatre.  There are fewer required courses than needed for the BFA, therefore one can graduate earlier than a BFA student.  A BA is a perfect match for a student who wants to double major in another field. 

Applied Theatre Studies are offered to BA students.  This is an excellent choice for artists who want to explore Theatre in Education, Theatre for Social Change or to develop ensemble skills for creating original plays.  With the communication, problem solving, critical thinking and team-work skills that one learns while pursuing a  BA in Theatre, graduates have often gone on to pursue careers in many fields.

Admission requirements for these programs are satisfied by the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the university.  Check out the BA program's 2011 capstone's digital self portraits reel!  And don't miss the theatre department's online handbooks.

Immediate Production Opportunities
Because the undergraduate program has its own theatres that are independent of the graduate theatre, undergraduate students do not compete with the graduate students for roles. Even better, the program does not require acting students to wait until their sophomore or junior year to audition. A first-year student or a student transferring into the program may begin auditioning in the first semester of study. And, while many programs place restrictions on students interested in design or stage management, in the WSU program undergraduate students are given opportunities to practice their craft.

Black Theatre Program and Tour Show
Since 1970, the department has offered academic courses and production opportunities in black theatre. Although not a formal degree-granting program, the Black Theatre Program celebrates the rich diversity of black culture. Each year the Bonstelle and Studio theatres feature some of the finest plays written by African-American, African and West African dramatists. The department also tours one black theatre show annually.