The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre at Avila
Avila University’s 120-credit undergraduate degree in Theatre, set in a liberal arts context, is designed to pave the way for professional careers in theatre. Offering a B.F.A. with concentrations in Acting, Musical Theatre, Directing/Producing, or Design/Technology & Management, and minors in Music, Dance, and Theatre, we provide diverse pathways to success in the industry.
Our pre-professional program, steered by experienced faculty, aligns your education with your career goals. We champion talent and dedication over seniority, providing leadership opportunities that build real-world skills. We cultivate an environment of growth and exploration, encouraging students to experiment across all theatre facets. This approach equips students with versatility, a crucial attribute for a thriving career in the dynamic world of theatre.
State-of-the-Art Performance Venues
Concentrations
The B.F.A. concentrations allow for just that: a concentrated study of one professional area. The B.F.A. is responsive to the needs of the professional areas of acting, directing, design/technical theatre and theatre management, and musical theatre. Unlike our conservatory competitors, the B.F.A. is firmly situated within a liberal arts university, and this is one of our program’s strongest assets.
- TR 211 – Voice/Diction and Dialects (3)
- TR 223 – History and Literature of the Theatre I (3)
- TR 227 – Stage Make-up (2)
- TR 253 – Stage Lighting (3)
- TR 255 – Costume Techniques/Design (3)
- TR 324 – History & Literature of the Theatre II (3)
- TR 361 – Stage Management (3)
- TR 377 – Business of Acting (3)
- TR 391 – Character Development (3)
- TR 415 – Playwright Seminar (3)
- TR 463 – Advanced Directing (3)
- TR 471 – Shakespeare in Performance (3)
- TR 473 – Acting Styles (3)
- TR 477 – Advanced Acting (3)
- DA 110 – Basic Tap (2) or
- DA 111 – Jazz Technique I (2)
8 credit hours total from the following:
- MU 111 – Applied Voice (1)
- MU 112 – Applied Voice (1)
- MU 211 – Applied Voice (1)
- MU 212 – Applied Voice (1)
- MU 311 – Applied Voice (1)
- MU 312 – Applied Voice (1)
- MU 411 – Applied Voice (1)
- MU 412 – Applied Voice (1)
2 credit hours total from the following:
- MU 115 – Applied Piano (1)
- MU 116 – Applied Piano (1)
- MU 215 – Applied Piano (1)
- MU 216 – Applied Piano (1)
- MU 315 – Applied Piano (1)
- MU 316 – Applied Piano (1)
- MU 415 – Applied Piano (1)
- MU 416 – Applied Piano (1)
8 credit hours total from the following:
- MU 151 – Avila Singers (1)
- MU 251 – University Singers (1)
- MU 271 – Music Theory I (3)
- MU 272 – Music Theory II (3)
- MU 291 – Diction (3) or
- TR 211 – Voice/Diction and Dialects (3)
- TR 223 – History and Literature of the Theatre I (3)
- TR 227 – Stage Make-up (2)
- TR 253 – Stage Lighting (3)
- TR 377 – Business of Acting (3)
- TR 391 – Character Development (3) or
- TR 477 – Advanced Acting (3)
- TR 463 – Advanced Directing (3) or
- MU 395 – Fundamentals of Conducting (3)
- TR 471 – Shakespeare in Performance (3) or
- TR 473 – Acting Styles (3)
Choose One of the Following:
- MU 283 – History of 20th-Century Music (3)
- MU 284 – Music History I (3)
- TR 324 – History & Literature of the Theatre II (3)
- TR 223 – History and Literature of the Theatre I (3)
- TR 227 – Stage Make-up (2)
- TR 229 – Scenic Art for the Stage (3)
- TR 253 – Stage Lighting (3)
- TR 255 – Costume Techniques/Design (3)
- TR 257 – Sound Engineering & Design (3)
- TR 324 – History & Literature of the Theatre II (3)
- TR 361 – Stage Management (3)
- TR 415 – Playwright Seminar (3)
- TR 451 – Computer Aided Design (3)
- TR 452 – Period Styles in Scenic Design (3)
- TR 453 – Advanced Stagecraft (3)
- TR 454 – Advanced Lighting & Sound Design (3)
- TR 455 – History of Costume (3)
TR 456 – Portfolio Prep for the Theatre (3)
4 hours from the following:
- TR 286 – Technical Theatre Practicum (1-2)
- TR 288 – Stage Management Practicum (1-2)
Directing & Producing Concentration
TR 223 – History and Literature of the Theatre I (3)
TR 253 – Stage Lighting (3)
TR 255 – Costume Techniques/Design (3)
TR 288 – Stage Management Practicum (1-2)
TR 289 – Directing Practicum (1-2)
TR 324 – History & Literature of the Theatre II (3)
TR 361 – Stage Management (3)
TR 377 – Business of Acting (3)
TR 391 – Acting III (3)
TR 415 – Playwright Seminar (3)
TR 451 – Computer Drafting for the Theatre (3)
TR 463 – Advanced Directing (3)
TR 471 – Shakespeare in Performance (3)
TR 473 – Acting Styles (3)
TR 495 – Internship (3)
Careers in the Arts..
A degree in the arts can provide career opportunities across a wide range of industries. Some of the most common include:
- Actor – salary varies
- Choreographer – salary $32,000
- Screenwriter
- Assistant Directory – salary $52,057
- Broadcaster – salary $58,300
- Casting Manager – salary $69,780
Contact
Dept. of Performing Arts
11901 Wornall Road / Kansas City
Matt Schwader Harbor, MFA, Chair of the School of Performing Arts; Associate Professor, Theatre; Director of Performance Studies
P: 816-501-2405 / E: matt.schwader
Life on Campus
Transferring to Avila?
Did you know that you can get college credit for work history? Learn more about the Prior Learning Assessment Transfer hours!
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