Bachelor of Arts - Theatre Arts

Two Students at a Table Smiling

B.A. in Theatre Arts

The B.A. in Theatre Arts asks students to consider the theatrical past; to reflect on their own reasons for doing theatre now; and to imagine what theatre can be like in the future.

How is the curriculum designed?

Students take a broad range of courses in theatre theory and practice, including acting, directing, technical theatre, dramatic literature, theatre history, and performance. Students can also gain experience in the program as assistant directors, dramaturgs, production crews, and in the classroom. Many direct, design, and perform student-devised works, participate in Theatre Arts Teaching Lab, and become involved with dramaturgy. BAs may participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) with their playwriting, devising, and dramaturgy work. Some of our program’s most exciting work results from residencies with internationally renowned guest artists and through our student-driven BA Ensemble.

 

What makes the BA different?

The Department of Theatre Arts and Dance offers a BA in Theatre Arts and a BFA in a choice of three concentrations. The BA in Theatre Arts is a liberal arts program, pairing well with a double major and/or a variety of minors. The Theatre Arts BA offers breadth of experience and depth of inquiry. It is designed for students focused on the creation of new works: playwrights, directors, dramaturgs, and scholars. Our graduates have continued their careers in graduate programs, producing, performance and teaching as well as work in casting, marketing, arts administration, dramaturgy, and applied theatre.

 

Is the B.A. in Theatre right for you?

The Theatre Arts BA introduces students to a range of theatrical and performance practices. Students are prepared to apply for master’s programs, or to develop artistic or administrative careers in theatre. Our degree is a strong choice for students interested in arts administration, casting, producing, teaching theatre, or other paths that combine the business, humanities, and social science skills acquired in the theatre major. If you are interested in making theatre—being on stage and behind the scenes— building community and effecting change in the world—then the BA in Theatre Arts might be right for you.

 

Do students have opportunities to perform?

While performance in the season productions is not a focus of the program, students enrolled in the BA Theatre Arts program may audition for any of the performances for an opportunity to be cast in a role. Students are encouraged to involve themselves in their areas of interest and have numerous courses that include experiences in acting throughout their degree plan.

Program Auditions

An Accept’d application is not required for entrance into the BA Theatre Arts program, but prospective students are encouraged to submit one if they would like to be considered for a scholarship. The BA scholarship application will ask you for a writing sample—either a short play or full length play excerpt, a dramaturgy packet or program note, a critical essay about a work of dramatic literature, or a performance review.

 

For questions, please feel free to contact the following area head: BA Theatre Arts Professor Sebastian Trainor

 

If you have not already applied to the University, please visit the University Admissions page to begin the process!  

BA Theatre Arts Faculty

Sebastian Trainor, PhD Theatre History, Theory & Criticism, University of Washington; MFA Directing for the Stage, California Institute of the Arts

Associate Professor of Instruction

Program Head, BA Theatre Studies

Sebastian Trainor Headshot

Email: sebastian.trainor@uta.edu

Office: Fine Arts Building Central

Julienne A. Greer, PhD Humanities Aesthetic Studies, University of Texas at Dallas

Associate Professor

Associate Chair

Dr. Julienne Aleta Greer, AEA

Email: jgreer@uta.edu

Phone #: (817) 272-2650

Office: Fine Arts Building Center 268B

Jeanmarie Higgins, PhD Theatre History, Theory & Criticism, University of Washington

Professor

Department Chair

Jeanmarie Higgins Profile Photo

Email: jeanmarie.higgins@uta.edu

Phone #: (817) 272-3253

Office: Fine Arts Building North 144B

Dennis Maher, PhD Theatre History, Theory & Criticism; University of Wisconsin-Madison

Associate Professor

Dennis Maher

Seraphina Nova Glass, MFA Playwriting, Smith College; MFA Directing, University of Idaho

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Seraphina Nova Glass