Theatre

All B.F.A. theatre majors focus on foundational actor training during the first two years of the program. This fosters a sense of ensemble within the class and allows students to build a foundation that will aid them in the acting specialization, musical theatre specialization or the theatre studies specialization.

Conversely, a B.A. is a balanced base of knowledge of the humanities and much less concentrated in the arts.

The B.F.A. in theatre is a unique hybrid: conservatory-style training within a liberal arts education. Students spend their first year building a shared foundation in performance practice. Beginning in the sophomore year, they enter an intensive conservatory training sequence. In their junior and senior years, students deepen their work through advanced classes in their chosen specialization while taking on increasing production and performance opportunities.

Musical theatre students engage in rigorous training in acting, singing and movement, preparing them for careers not only in musicals, but across multiple performance genres on Broadway, in regional theater and beyond.

The theatre studies specialization prepares students for work in directing, playwriting and stage management.

The acting specialization emphasizes scene work, voice and movement training, history of theater and much more, all preparing the student for work on stage, on camera and more.

Yes. Alumni have gone on to careers in film, television and stage and have been recognized with numerous honors including Academy, Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe awards.

Alumni of the theatre studies program include professional artists currently working as actors in film, television, streaming platforms and theater; artistic directors and directors in regional and national theater companies as well as directors in television and streaming platforms; film, television, and theater producers, including producing for Broadway; educators in key high school and university theater programs; playwrights and writers for television and video games; casting agents; and founders and artistic directors of regional theater companies. 
 

Acting/theatre studies: Prospective students prepare two contrasting monologues and a song. Applicants may also be asked to participate in improvisational exercises.

Musical theatre: Prospective students prepare two contrasting monologues and two contrasting songs. Applicants will also be asked to submit a movement/dance sample and/or participate in a dance call depending on audition location.

Classes and studios combined with participation in a robust production season prepare our graduates to move successfully into the performance industry. During their time at SMU, graduate and undergraduate students often work at Dallas area theaters as well as for top regional companies.

Ongoing relationships with numerous local theaters, including a long-standing partnership with the Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center, provide students with the chance to work professionally when age-appropriate roles are available. 

Many of our faculty actively perform in the nationally and in the region, giving students the unique chance to see their professors on stage – and even occasionally perform alongside them, gaining valuable real-world experience and building industry connections before they graduate.