Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Theatre

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS

Collaborate.

Connect. Catalyze conversation. . . .

At Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Theatre, we are curious learners who seize opportunities to expand our journeys and enhance our artistry.

CFA School of Theatre is a nationally recognized training program, with all the opportunities of a larger liberal arts university right at your fingertips. We believe each student is unique and should be able to pursue their individual interests while receiving strong foundational techniques within the art form. Valuing each student’s goals and gifts while furthering the conversation of diversity and inclusion makes the School of Theatre at Boston University College of Fine Arts a leading program in the country.

Through headlong risk taking, we bring concepts into existence and unleash ideas to build connections that shape the world.

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Discover your stage. . . .

Students in CFA School of Theatre have guaranteed casting in a robust season. Students choose a BFA major at the end of their first year, and enjoy unmatched opportunities to work professionally while still in school. School of Theatre students benefit from our close mentoring model with faculty and staff.

Deepen your skills. Be fueled by inquiry. Be motivated by individuality and inspired by collaboration with your community of artists.

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Learn and create. . .

Every production requires a team. It’s an intense experience that focuses on process, thrives on collaboration, and welcomes curiosity.

All undergraduate students start in either the Performance Core or the Design, Production, and Management Core and then at the end of the first year choose their major.

To complement and enhance the artistic rigor of your program, you’ll have meaningful exposure to the liberal arts. Many students elect to pursue a dual degree, minors, concentrations, or Kilachand Honors College.

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Programs of study. . . .

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Performance

BFA Programs

Discover your artistic voice and immerse yourself in the craft.

Acting Costume Design Costume Production Lighting Design Scene Design Sound Design Stage Management Technical Production Theatre Arts (Performance) Theatre Arts (Design & Production)

Acting Unleash your imagination. Explore in-depth study of Acting, Movement, and Voice & Speech. Develop your skill through guaranteed casting in our large production season.

Theatre Arts (Performance) Develop your intellect and professional skills. Explore in-depth study of Acting, Directing and Playwrighting in preparation for professional work in all media.

DESIGN, PRODUCTION & management Collaborate with faculty and industry professionals to find your process as an artist.

Design Craft your artistic sensibility in scenic, costume, lighting or sound design within our student driven high-quality productions.

Production Collaborate and connect with the technical production side of the profession. Hands-on classes emphasize skill, technique, craft, and creativity.

Stage & Production Management

MFA Programs Costume Design Costume Production Directing Lighting Design Production Management Scene Design Sound Design Technical Production

Additional Programs Dance Minor Music Theatre Course Sequence Theatre Minor

Artisan Certificate Scene Painting

Mount theatrical events with artistry and skill that reflect and enrich your talents and interests.

Theatre Arts (Design and Production) Hone yourself as an artist-scholar. Investigate multiple design and production interests in preparation for professional work in all media.

For more information on our programs, visit bu.edu/cfa/theatre.

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THERE's NO SUCH THING AS A SOLo ACT. Scene partners, collaborators, mentors, friends.

At BU, you’ll find your community of artists in CFA School of Theatre.

The School of Theatre practices a holistic teaching philosophy that embraces the idea that we are all artists together, and what we create reflects and engages with society. Students receive instruction in large groups as well as one-on-one and in small seminar studios.

At BU you will experience more performing and production opportunities than any other BFA program in the country. Not to mention, access to working alumni through career courses and seminars geared for your success, as well as our alumni mentorship program.

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Innovative artistry. . . . . . . .

What does it mean to be an artist in a major research university?

Students in CFA School of Theatre grow through challenging the boundaries of their artistry, through interdisciplinary collaborations, cultural entrepreneurship, and creative enterprise. Students learn the intricacies of their craft in the classroom, studio, or practice room and then bring it into the context of the world around them.

Theatre artists are constantly pursuing research in every aspect of what we do. We study human behavior, cultural environments, history. We are the vessel through which other disciplines can connect and co-exist. The School of Theatre is always partnering with other departments across BU to collaborate on our projects, both within CFA and beyond.

This opens up our students to other ways of thinking and challenges students outside our program to stay in touch with their empathy and humanity, regardless of their chosen major.

Our students are hungry and curious, and many pursue minors, dual degrees, internships, and professional engagement.

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professional Theatre opportunities The School of Theatre is committed to fostering strong artistic relationships across the theatre profession.

New Play Initiative (NPI) The BU New Play Initiative (NPI) expresses our commitment to the School’s participation in the development of new work.

This special initiative provides playwrights, directors, designers, and actors with a variety of developmental options to support the collaborative creation of new work for the theatre.

Students, faculty, alumni, and guest artists are given the opportunity to utilize the creativity of the rehearsal room to develop their plays.

Professional Theatre Initiative (PTI) BU’s Professional Theatre Initiative provides stimulating, creative interactions between participating theatres and the CFA School of Theatre community. Boston Playwrights' Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre are just some of the School’s 20+ PTI affiliates.

Additionally, PTI summer grants allow select students to study at a range of professional arts organizations.

On Sharing Experiences in Theatre (onSET) onSET brings a distinguished group of teaching collaborators that enhance, inspire, and enlighten the student experience.

These guests and visitors engage with the community in intimate classroom settings, in larger public panels and conversations, or even in pop-up seminars. As professionals, they share their experience and wisdom with the emerging artists of the School of Theatre, bringing a rich dimension to your education at BU. In the 2019-2020 academic year, onSET brought over 70 guest artists to speak with faculty, students, and staff about their work and life in the arts.

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Where your art meets the world. . .

FACILITIES PROCESS spaces Where the exploration and discovery take place › CFA Production Center › State-of-the-art Costume Shop › Scenery Studio › Scene Painting Studio

› Light and Sound Laboratory › Performance practice studios › Designer work spaces/ drafting studio spaces

Performance spaces Where we invite people to engage with our work

› 3 black box studio theatres › Studio ONE › Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre The 250-seat Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre is located at the heart of the Charles River campus at 820 Commonwealth Avenue.

The intent behind the Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre is exact: create a 21st century learning environment to educate the next generation of artists and engage audiences in an immersive experience.

The purposeful, flexible design of Booth Theatre allows for the evolution of performances and a deep engagement with audiences. Through the configuration of seating risers, opening of the single trap door, installation of set pieces and drapes, and use of creative lighting, the space can be transformed to create a unique performance and an engaging audience experience. The building’s massive tipped façade serves as a mirror, coupled with a proscenium-inspired wrapper, to put pedestrians and Comm Ave on stage.

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Booth by the Numbers › 250 seat theatre ›

1 motorized lighting catwalk

›

9 motorized trusses

for lighting and scenic elements

› 42’ x 36’ stage trap

› 27,000 square feet of design & production facilities

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Out of the classroom Theatre Abroad All of our undergraduate juniors are encouraged to go abroad for a semester. This life-changing experience molds an artist who is also a citizen of the world, exposes them to other cultures and ways of thinking, and enhances their work upon their return to BU. Students can choose among dozens of programs at BU. CFA’s theatre-specific affiliations include the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, the London Internship Program, Accademia Dell’Arte in Tuscany, and the Los Angeles Film and Television program.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT All Theatre Arts majors are required to do an internship during their time at CFA, which has proven incredibly fruitful.

The School of Theatre mentors students with a variety of opportunities all over the country, many with alums of the program.

Internships Experience opportunities to work with professional companies indifferent facets on the theatrical profession during your time at BU.

Professional Showcases Performance and Design & Production majors perform and exhibit for alumni and industry professionals in both Boston and New York City.

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Into the world of Professional Theatre 15

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We want to know your story! . .

Visit & Apply

Get in touch!

Want to be a part of a tight-knit community of artists at the heart of BU? Find out about applications, auditions, and portfolio reviews, and get to know us at bu.edu/cfa.

617-353-3390 bu.edu/cfa/theatre theatre@bu.edu Follow Us

@butheatre @buarts @butheatre @buarts @BU_SOT @buarts

Dean, College of Fine Arts Harvey Young Director, School of Theatre Susan Mickey 855 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215