Bachelor of Fine Arts

The Bachelor of Fine Arts is a professional degree program which offers a conservatory approach to training. There are four options within the BFA degree program: acting, design (including scenic, lighting, and costume), technical direction and stage management. Each program emphasizes practical experience in addition to traditional course work.

The USC School of Theatre has revised its requirements for the BFA Acting Program to better prepare students for the economic and psychological demands of the acting profession. The acting emphasis comprises an integrated four-year sequence of training in acting, voice and body movement, as well as course work in critical and historical studies, theatrical production and technical theatre. During their first three semesters, students in the BFA Acting program do not have required performance, although they do have opportunities to perform. They will engage in class workshops that are process-based exercises emphasizing personal discovery and growth.

Students in the production areas of design, technical direction and stage management begin exploring the skills acquired in the classroom through assignments on productions as early as their first year of enrollment. Students design, build and manage the school's productions under the supervision of a professional staff of designers and theatre technicians. A total of 128 units is necessary for the completion of all BFA degree programs.

All candidates for the BFA degree must complete a series of general education courses required by the university. USC's general education program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements.

Click here to download the School of Theatre's supplemental application.

Click here to download the School of Theatre Undergraduate coursebook

Program requirements will vary based on the year you first entered USC. Please refer to your catalogue year for the exact Major requirements that apply to you:

http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/cat2005/archive/

If you have any questions, please call the School of Theatre Academic and Student Services office at (213) 740-1286.

Requirements may include:

Acting

THTR 110 Dramatic Analysis
THTR 115a Movement I
THTR 120ab Acting I
THTR 130 Introduction to Theatrical Production
THTR 140ab Voice I

THTR 210 Theory and Practice of World Theatre I
THTR 211 Theory and Practice of World Theatre II

THTR 212 Theory and Practice of World Theatre IIl
THTR 215ab Movement II
THTR 220ab Intermediate Acting I
THTR 240ab Voice II
THTR 315ab Physical Theatre I
THTR 320ab Intermediate Acting II
THTR 340ab Intermediate Voice
THTR 397 Theatre Practicum
THTR 415ab Physical Theatre II
THTR 420ab Advanced Acting
THTR 440ab Advanced Voice
THTR 471 Senior Showcase        
THTR 480 Performance for the Camera            
THTR 497 Advanced Theatre Practicum 

Students must also choose one course from:  
THTR 305a Directing
THTR 365 Playwriting 

And one course from:  
THTR 301 Greek and Roman Theatre
THTR 302 Shakespeare and  His World
THTR 313 Comedy of Manners
THTR 314 Advanced Topics in Modern Drama

Design

THTR 101 Introduction to Acting
THTR 125 Text Studies of Production
THTR 130ab Introduction to Theatrical Production

THTR 210 Theory and Practice of World Theatre I
THTR 211 Theory and Practice of World Theatre II

THTR 212 Theory and Practice of World Theatre IIl

THTR 222 Stage Make-up

THTR 230 Communicating Theatrical Design Concepts
THTR 231ab Costume Construction

THTR 305a Directing
THTR 330 Scene Design
THTR 331 Costume Design
THTR 332 Lighting Design
THTR 333 Stage Management I

Fine Arts 407ab Drawing and Rendering for the Theatre
THTR 437 Scene Painting
THTR 439 Stage Properties
THTR 493ab Periods and Styles

Students must also choose one course from:

THTR 432ab Scene Design II
THTR 433ab Costume Design II
THTR 434ab Lighting Design II

Stage Management

THTR 101 Introduction to Acting
THTR 125 Text Studies of Production
THTR 130ab Introduction to Theatrical Production

THTR 210 Theory and Practice of World Theatre I
THTR 211 Theory and Practice of World Theatre II

THTR 212 Theory and Practice of World Theatre IIl

THTR 230 Communicating Theatrical Design Concepts
THTR 231ab Costume Construction
THTR 232 Stage Lighting

THTR 305a Directing
THTR 333 Stage Management I

THTR 397 Theatre Practicum
THTR 430 Stage Management II

THTR 436 Sound of Theatre
THTR 439 Stage Properties

THTR 487 Promotion for the Performing Arts
THTR 491 Theatre Organization and Administration
THTR 492 Producing Theatre
THTR 494 Raising Money for the Arts
THTR 497 Advanced Theatre Practicum

Technical Direction

THTR 101 Introduction to Acting
THTR 125 Text Studies of Production
THTR 130ab Introduction to Theatrical Production

THTR 210 Theory and Practice of World Theatre I
THTR 211 Theory and Practice of World Theatre II

THTR 212 Theory and Practice of World Theatre IIl

THTR 230 Communicating Theatrical Design Concepts
THTR 232 Stage Lighting

THTR 305a Directing
THTR 330 Scene Design I

THTR 332 Lighting Design
THTR 333 Stage Management I

THTR 335 Scenic Construction

THTR 397 Theatre Pracitcum
THTR 430 Stage Management II

THTR 436 Sound for Theatre
THTR 437 Scene Painting
THTR 438 Technical Theatre

THTR 439 Stage Properties
THTR 493ab Periods and Styles
THTR 497 Advanced Theatre Practicum