Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama - Acting Concentration

Comments about Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama - Acting Concentration - At the institution - Winston Salem - North Carolina

• Practical experience
  Students are invited to continue in the program by the Dean only as long as they demonstrate substantial growth toward artistic excellence. The School of Drama reserves the right to dismiss from the program without probation or an official letter of warning any student whose social or professional behavior prevents the School’s classes and rehearsals from proceeding in a creative and productive fashion, and interferes with the training of other students.
  The School of Drama has developed a program which is designed to provide a full, rounded and highly professional education in actor training. The drama school is aware that its particular professional program is not suitable for everyone.
  It is the observation of this faculty that each student in the School of Drama is unique and must develop at his/her own pace. It would be detrimental to ask a student to continue to move forward in the program if his/her personal rate of growth does not coincide with the work demanded. In such cases, the student is asked to withdraw and apply to a training program more suited to his/her developing talents. This is in no way a reflection of the student’s abilities, but a recognition of the limitations imposed by the drama school’s four-year program. After the first two years of training, every student receives a certificate that attests to having fulfilled the preliminary actor training requirements in voice, speech, movement and acting. Those students who are deemed adaptable for the second two years of the actor training program are invited to continue for advanced training. Students earning a BFA are expected to adhere to the policies of the Undergraduate Academic Program.
  Classification College students are classified according to their placement level in the arts program. The normal pattern of progression is one year in each level. Most entering students (college freshmen or college transfers) are placed in the first-year program.
• Entry requirements
  College students are admitted to the program by audition and interview. Audition applicants should prepare three monologues (one classical, preferably from a play by Shakespeare, and two contrasting monologues from contemporary plays). Please be prepared to sing eight to 16 bars of a song without accompaniment. It is recommended that the audition song come from the standard musical theatre repertory. The three pieces and the song must not exceed five minutes total. Each selection should stand on its own as a monologue. Do not use foreign dialects or character voices. Dress appropriately for a rehearsal situation. Costumes and props are unnecessary. Candidates recommended by the Faculty Audition Committee are screened by the
  Admissions Committee in regard to academic record, potential and social maturity.
• Course description
  The Professional Actor Training Program The Acting Program
  Bachelor of Fine Arts/College Arts Diploma
  
  Standards of Achievement and Evaluation
  Each student committed to a career in theatre engages in a rigorous course of study with required classes in voice, movement and acting. The curriculum also includes more specific skills, including mask work, stage-fighting, verse-speaking, dialects, comedy techniques, singing, musical theatre, and period and style. The schedule for each day includes class work relevant to afternoon and evening rehearsal periods. Major works from the classical repertory through the 20th century are studied. A full schedule of workshops and major productions provides vital performing experience. Every year, students completing the four years of actor training are invited at the recommendation of the Dean to participate in a presentation in New York for major agents, casting directors and management from all branches of theatre, film and television.
  
  Year One
  Studio 1
  The first year is a probationary year. Students are expected to maintain a minimum 2.5 average each term in order to be continued for the next term.
  Years Two, Three and Four
  Studio 2, 3, and 4
  Students at each of these levels must achieve a cumulative average of at least 3.0 in drama classes. After grades have been considered at the end of each term, the faculty determines if a student should be placed on arts probation for the following term based on these criteria: (1) ability to absorb instruction, (2) assessment of talent, and (3) ability to work and produce a performance. A student placed on arts probation who fails to meet the stated criteria in the succeeding term will not usually be invited to continue in the program.
  
  Requirements for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama (Acting Concentration)
  Arts Course Requirements and Credit Value
  
  Studio 1 (Year One) Credits Per Course Credits Per Year
  DRA 131, 132, 133: Technical Production 2 6
  DRA 151, 152, 153: Acting I 2 6
  DRA 161, 162, 163: Voice and Speech I 2 6
  DRA 171, 172, 173: Movement I 2 6
  DRA 180: Special Techniques 2 6
  DRA 198: Special Topics 1 3
  DRA 599: Intensive Arts 2 2
  Total 35
  
  Studio 2 (Year Two)
  DRA 251, 252, 253: Acting II 2 6
  DRA 261, 262, 263: Voice and Speech II 2 6
  DRA 264, 265, 266: Singing Class 1 3
  DRA 271, 272, 273: Movement II 2 6
  DRA 280: Special Techniques 2 6
  DRA 290: Rehearsal and Performance 2 6
  DRA 599: Intensive Arts 2 2
  Total 35
  
  Studio 3 (Year Three)
  DRA 351, 352, 353: Acting III 2 6
  DRA 361, 362, 363; Voice & Speech III 2 6
  DRA 364, 365, 366: Singing Class 1 3
  DRA 371, 372, 373: Movement III 2 6
  DRA 380: Special Techniques 2 6
  DRA 390: Rehearsal and Performance 2 6
  DRA 599: Intensive Arts 2 2
  Total 35
  
  Studio 4 (Year Four)
  DRA 499: Rehearsal/Performance 12 36
  DRA 599: Intensive Arts 2 2
  Total 38
  Total arts credits (Drama) 143
  
  Academic Requirements and Credit Value
  GES 101, 102, 103 Critical Perspectives 6
  GES 120 Digital Media for the Artist 2
  GES 211, 212, 213 Foundations of Western Thought 6
  THH 241, 242, 243 Theatre History 6
  LIT 290 Topics in Dramatic Literature 2
  Math/Science elective 2
  Literature/Philosophy elective 2
  Social Science elective 2
  Academic electives 8
  Total academic required credits 36
  73
  Total credits for degree:
  Arts credits (Drama) 143
  Academic credits* 36
  Total (for four-year program) 179

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