Theater

College Program

Curriculum

The BFA theatre performance curriculum, with its emphases in acting and musical theatre, is designed to enable students to meet the demands and rigors of professional theatre.

The Acting emphasis focuses on the fundamentals of physical and emotional preparation and on the achievement of truthfulness and expressive power in performance. Additionally, students develop a broader range of skills and knowledge through training in multiple methodologies, including Stanislavski-based acting techniques, improvisation, mask work, movement, voice and speech, commedia dell'arte and Shakespeare. The acting students develop and apply their performance skills in studio and mainstage productions.

The Musical Theatre program is integrated into the acting training with additional coursework in music theory, singing, dance for the theatre, musical theatre history and musical theatre styles. Specifically, the musical theatre students have dance classes in ballet and jazz; private applied voice lessons, vocal ensemble (music theory), musical theatre workshops, musical theatre history and musical interpretation for performance. The program prepares the aspiring professional performer to deal comfortably with an ambitious musical theatre repertory centered on twentieth and twenty-first century material. From Berlin to Sondheim, Gershwin to Bernstein, Weill to Porter and Webber to Kitt and LaChiusa, the students hone their skills in private voice lessons, vocal ensemble classes, musical theatre workshops, and on stage in studio and mainstage productions.

A visiting artists series constitutes an important part of both the acting and musical theatre programs. Guest composers, voice teachers, choreographers, playwrights, directors, acting coaches, casting agents and artistic directors expose our students to current and new trends in theatre, film, and television.

Senior Showcase

Graduating seniors launch their careers in the profession with a comprehensive senior showcase program, an unrivalled artistic experience that has the potential to jump-start their careers as professional artists. All seniors are eligible to perform in showcases in Miami and New York City, as well as a virtual regional showcase for other markets of interest (such as Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles). The showcase performances offer the first step for Acting and Musical Theatre majors to meet, interact and network with agents, casting directors, and regional theatre representatives in each market. This is an opportunity for students to experience, for the first time, professional auditions when agents send them to callbacks for Broadway and Off-Broadway castings. Historically, the majority of NWSA students who embark in this New York City adventure receive positive feedback from industry agents who specifically attend the showcase in search of their next artistic discovery. Many students can end up meeting with more than just one or a couple of agents, sometimes fast tracking their artistic careers into high gear. Additionally, NWSA Theater showcases their graduating students virtually online at nwsatheater.org.

---

---

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance

Sample Degree Path: Acting

First Year - First Semester

First Year - Second Semester

First Year – Summer

Sophomore Year - First Semester

Sophomore Year - Second Semester

Sophomore Year – Summer

Junior Year - First Semester

Junior Year - Second Semester

Senior Year - Fist Semester

Senior Year - Second Semester

Students must take 33 hours of General Education courses.

1. General Education courses may be taken during the major terms or during the summer terms.
2. Students must earn a minimum of 12 credits hours in General Education during the academic year.
3. Students must complete their AA requirements by the end of the 3rd year.

Lower Division Credit Total: 40

Upper Division Credit Total: 60

Academics: 33

Total Credits: 133

---

Sample Degree Path: Musical Theater

First Year - First Semester

First Year - Second Semester

First Year – Summer

Sophomore Year - First Semester

Sophomore Year - Second Semester

Sophomore Year – Summer

Junior Year - First Semester

Junior Year - Second Semester

Senior Year - First Semester

Senior Year - Second Semester

Students must take 33 hours of General Education courses.

1. General Education courses may be taken during the major terms or during the summer terms.
2. Students must earn a minimum of 12 credits hours in General Education during the academic year.
3. Students must complete their AA requirements by the end of the 3rd year.

Lower Division Credit Total: 45

Upper Division Credit Total: 60

Academics: 33

Total Credits: 138