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BFA Acting/
What it’s About
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre / ACTING concentration is a conservatory-like intensive program of study that prepares students to enter the acting profession, whether on stage or on screen.
In conjunction with challenging coursework, students apply their training by performing in an eclectic array of productions ranging from classical to contemporary and mainstream to experimental. The curriculum’s theoretical foundation and students’ highly developed practical skills are hallmarks of the program, as is the personalized attention they receive both in the classroom and on stage.
Located on a campus just 14 miles west of Manhattan, our BFA in Acting program attracts an outstanding faculty and prominent guest artists to work with our students every semester. Likewise, the 30-minute train ride to New York connects students with Broadway productions, internship opportunities and all that attracts artists from all over the world.
Through rigorous coursework, rehearsal and production, Acting majors are provided the training and information necessary to pursue a successful career in performance.
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What you will Study
The BFA in Acting curriculum consists of 128 credits, including 86 credits in the major and 42 credits in General Education and Free Electives. The program offers concentrated, rigorous classes in acting; seven semesters focused on improvisation, scene study, classical work and camera technique; six semesters of voice and speech; and five semesters of dance, movement and stage combat.
Students also take coursework in script analysis, stage make-up, theatre history and directing, and participate in a career-oriented New York Senior Showcase where they have opportunity to perform for agents and casting directors.
Curriculum Links –
Curriculum requirements for the BFA Acting program, in relation to other Theatre and Dance options, may be found through the following links:
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Performance Opportunities
BFA Acting students have access to a wide range of performance opportunities including fully staged classical and contemporary plays and musicals; faculty, student and guest-directed workshops; staged readings; directing class scenes and one-acts; plus laboratory exercises initiated by students at all levels. Students learn by ‘doing’, and since the department does not offer a graduate program in Acting, our undergraduates do not compete with graduate students for acting opportunities and leading roles.
Productions –
The Department of Theatre and Dance produces as many as 7-10 plays annually. (See the Department Productions Productions and Photo Gallery pages which showcase current and past seasons of student performed works.)
In addition to performing in productions, students have opportunity to attend –as audience members – more than 500 professional events annually; including those presented by the department as well as by Montclair’s internationally acclaimed Peak Performances – a program of eclectic theatre, dance and music productions. Students are admitted at no additional charge by presenting their MSU student ID – and are sometimes even casted alongside seasoned performers and renowned actors.
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An Outstanding Faculty
More than seventy-five permanent faculty and visiting professionals mentor our Theatre and Dance students every semester, including celebrity guest artists and artists-in-residence. Their shared experiences and insights into the ‘real world’ of theatre are invaluable to our students and often lead to opportunities which go beyond the classroom. All are working professionals – some of international reputation, noted for their accomplishments in New York, Los Angeles, across the country and abroad.
Faculty Directory Links –
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Exceptional Facilities
Montclair State’s performance facilities are exceptional. With six glorious theatres, students perform in spaces that mirror the best of their kind, including the state-of-the-art 500-seat Alexander Kasser Theater, 946-seat Memorial Auditorium, 2000-seat amphitheater and the intimate L. Howard Fox Theatre – each with impressive technical specifications.
The range of our performance spaces reflect the industry and help students prepare to perform in a diversity of settings.
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Awards and Accreditation
Montclair State Acting majors are recognized regionally and nationally for their performance accomplishments. For five consecutive years, the university has sent its regional winners of the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival acting competition to Washington, D.C. to compete for national awards. Most recently one of our majors distinguished himself by winning the National Competition – in both the theatre and dance categories! Our students have also performed internationally with the Shanghai Theatre Academy as well as in Australia and Europe.
The BFA Acting program meets the rigorous standards of the Department of Theatre and Dance’s accrediting body, the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), thus placing it among the most competitive programs in the nation.
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How to Apply
For information on applying to the BFA Acting program, see the Department Admissions page
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For Further Information
For further information regarding Acting and other programs in the Department of Theatre and Dance, please contact and/or visit us on campus.
Contact –
Acting Program Coordinator:
Dr. Suzanne Trauth
973.655.7000
Events for Prospective Students
Arts Days and Open Houses
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