Asbury University’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre degree program lets you hone your on-camera and on-stage acting skills under mentors with industry experience while gaining a deep understanding of the art and business of theatre.
Acting majors form a full picture of the workings of film and theatre through a mix of classroom instruction and staging real productions. This approach to actor training helps future actors connect with any audience or production crew, using different facets of storytelling to create a rich tapestry.
The B.A. in Theatre degree at Asbury strives to give students confidence-building experiences that prepare them to step into the industry strengthened by strong values and technical skills. In addition to learning about the history and social impact of theatre, students pursuing the bachelor’s degree in acting have unprecedented access to film and television production facilities and shoot over 125 television projects and 50 short films each year.
In the B.A. in Theatre, students majoring in acting learn basic and advanced acting methods and performance techniques, along with how to create new works of film and theatre through courses in production design, screenwriting, stagecraft, playwriting, directing and stage management.
This four-year bachelor’s degree in acting program comprises 124 credit hours in required courses, including general education studies and elective courses of your choice. The B.A. in Theatre degree requirements break down into the following categories:
Along with acting major courses, a portion of your required credits in the B.A. in Theatre will come from a theatre-related internship experience, a field experience, at least one seminar and several theatre practicums, which involve working to put on a real theatre production on campus.
This career-focused theatre degree program ensures students have a deep understanding of fundamental aspects of movement and voice, production and the social impact of theatre and film without disregarding the importance of professional skills, including resume and portfolio development and hands-on acting experience.
Courses offered in the acting major include:
Acting and theatre production courses work alongside the Foundations general education curriculum to provide undergraduate Theatre students with a well-rounded education focused on their chosen vocation. Through Foundations courses covering human experiences, art, science and math, students can visualize how their particular path can help make the world a better place or improve the lives of others.
Learn more about what topics are covered in the Foundations interdisciplinary liberal arts curriculum. Review the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre major sheet for complete degree requirements and explore the Asbury University course catalog to see detailed descriptions of the B.A. in Theatre’s courses and experiential requirements.
Students who graduate from the B.A. in Theatre program will have refined their acting skills as well as skills in other areas of theatre and film production. Through career-oriented seminars and independent study projects, as well as unique acting, directing, producing and writing opportunities, graduates are positioned to enter the industry after graduation or pursue further graduate degrees in acting.
Asbury’s B.A. in Theatre offers various opportunities to work on actual productions for academic credit or professional experience. Through these experiences and the required acting courses, you’ll learn:
Whether you wish to focus on acting performance or to supplement your talent with skills in screenwriting, directing and producing, your calling is supported by Asbury’s community of students and industry-experienced faculty. Learn more about the Asbury theatre program goals.
Even though many productions are completely student-run, acting majors work alongside faculty on special productions, independent studies, career seminars and in traditional classroom settings. Meet the Theatre faculty and staff, who impart wisdom gained through decades of industry experience and performance excellence to the next generation of actors.
At Asbury, students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in theatre have access to unique acting opportunities like acting in a taped sitcom or in a student film featured in local or international film festivals. Even first-year students can get on-stage or on-screen experience, apply the methods they’ve learned and network with talent agents and other industry professionals who often attend Asbury’s live theatre productions.
Asbury’s B.A. in Theatre program offers an intensive travel course experience in London with West End professionals and other opportunities to engage with other cultures within your chosen career path. Learn more about the London Travel Course and Asbury University’s belief in the importance of study abroad and off-campus programs.
To support the creation of hundreds of student productions per year, Asbury University’s Media Communication department collaborates with students in the B.A. in Theatre program. You’ll perform on real sound stages, outdoor film lots and television show sets. Explore the Miller Communication Arts Building’s 5,500 square foot sound stage.
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in acting at Asbury can take advantage of the Undergraduate +1 program if they are interested in pursuing an M.A. or M.F.A. after graduation. Enrich your talents and expand future career opportunities by getting a head start on a graduate degree in Film and TV Production or Screenwriting, saving time and tuition.
If you’re ready to apply to the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree program, check out undergraduate admissions information and learn how to apply as a first-year student. Asbury offers several forms of scholarships and opportunities to help cover tuition. Review tuition and cost information and financial aid options.
Asbury University’s Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree prepares acting major students to enter the film and theatre industry with confidence, trained on real-world projects with experienced faculty, industry professionals and fellow students. Take the next step toward your dream career by contacting admissions, scheduling a campus visit or beginning your application.