Students entering the Theatre Performance program in the 2010-2011 academic year will be working toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts. The BFA program in Theatre Performance offers a wide range of opportunities with focus on vocal & physical development, script analysis and acting theory. This intense curriculum is designed to give students a broad study of the theatre arts and develop strong performance skills while providing numerous performance opportunities for onstage experience.

For a complete curriculum guide and list of course descriptions for Theatre Performance, click here.

Courses offered include camera & voice over work, directing, and concentrated studio work in movement, voice, and speech. The acting classes cover all genres of theatre and are designed with a personalized focus in mind. An impressive student to faculty ratio makes this very personalized training with faculty possible. Master classes with nationally recognized, professional artists are also provided to expand the academic experience beyond the classroom.

Students receive varied performance opportunities in the Department’s nine-show season, offering experiences in three different theatre spaces. Onstage experience can also be found in department-supported, student-directed productions through the directing classes and Footlight productions, as well as the New Play Project offered each summer. Students are given professional audition and interview opportunities on campus, as well as a chance to showcase their talent for industry agents and casting directors.

Alumni from the WMU Theatre Performance program have gone to study at the graduate level at ART/Harvard, Yale, Cal Arts, New York University, Florida State University, University of Connecticut, Case Western University, Northwestern University, The National Theatre Conservatory, University of California at San Diego and Irvine. Professionally, our Theatre Performance students have performed on Broadway in The Women, Beauty and the Beast, Shanandoah, Kiss Me, Kate, Gypsy, The Pirate Queen, Taboo, Jersey Boys, Into The Woods, Ragtime, and Spamalot. They have also performed with The Steppenwolf Theatre, The Goodman Theatre, Classic Stage Company, Long Wharf Theatre and Williamstown Theatre Festival, Royal Shakespeare Company (England), Disney, and have been seen on television in Lost, Weeds, Six Feet Under, Boston Legal, and the National Tour of Forbidden Broadway.