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College of Creative Arts and Media: School of Theatre and Dance

Acting, BFA

At WVU, you’ll be guided through intensive acting training by mentors who truly understand the ins and outs of the industry. They'll equip you with a solid foundation in dramatic theory, text analysis, theatre history, directing and all the essentials you need to thrive as an actor.

Our BFA Acting students are the heartbeat of our productions, performing in as many as 15 shows during their time at WVU. From main stage productions to workshop and second stage performances, you'll have many opportunities to showcase your talent and hone your craft.

After graduating, you'll be set to jump straight into your career or continue your journey in a graduate training program.

Acceptance to the Acting BFA Program requires admission to WVU and a successful audition. Your audition also may qualify you for a School of Theatre and Dance scholarship.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Places and Spaces Admission Requirements Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Acting on the stage of Morgantown's Metropolitan Theatre during a production of Noises Off

Our program combines an intensive conservatory experience with the campus life of a major land-grant university. You’ll perform on our main stage and in our laboratory theatre, and train with renowned faculty and guest artists (including Academy and Tony Award nominees).

From dramatic theory to text analysis, theatre history to literature, directing to special topics, we'll supply you with the tools you need to connect authentically with your characters and bring dynamic theatre to life.

Freshman and Sophomore Years
In your freshman and sophomore years, you'll receive six hours of acting training per week, alongside rigorous liberal arts coursework. As you progress to your sophomore year, you'll dedicate an additional four hours per week to movement or voice/speech training.

Continuation in our BFA program beyond sophomore year is by audition only. Those who don't pass the audition can continue their studies in our BA Theatre Program.

Junior and Senior Years
In your junior and senior years, you'll take your skills to the next level as a member of our Studio Acting Program. With 20 hours a week dedicated to performance training, you'll explore everything from contemporary American realism to Shakespearean classics, along with acting for film and television, voice-overs and musical theatre.

The Studio Acting Program covers a wide range of topics — from singing to Suzuki, movement composition to stage combat, audition technique to dialects — ensuring that you're well-rounded and prepared for the industry.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:

  • THET 344:
    Acting Studio

    The purpose of studio is to reexamine basic acting principles and introduce advanced techniques in characterization, personalization, and given circumstances through exercises, monologue work, and intensive scene study coordinated with rehearsal and performance in THET 345.

  • THET 160:
    Theatre Fundamentals

    An examination of basic theatre concepts, the roles of practitioners in the production process, and an analysis of scripts in light of major theoretical and critical movements.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Students prepare as performers and entrepreneurs. Alumni have founded theatre companies, written and starred in their own films and web series and are dedicated to introducing new voices and concepts into their mediums.
  • WVU Lab Theatre works have gone on to prestigious events like the New York Musical Theatre Festival.
  • 5 theatres of varied sizes and setups at the Canady Creative Arts Center.
  • Valuable real-world experience with West Virginia Public Theatre, which is operated through the College of Creative Arts and Media.
  • Our NYC Showcase, which puts you in front of industry insiders and connects you with WVU alumni in the theatre and film industries.
  • Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
  • Perform in as many as 15 productions. Acting students are the core of the casting pool for WVU main stage, workshop and second stage productions.
  • Acting students are the core of the casting pool for five to six mainstage productions, as well as up to 20 workshop and second stage productions per year.
  • Grants available for educational travel and research.
  • The Creative Consultants program, which pairs you with accomplished alumni mentors for invaluable insights, advice and support.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Evansdale Library, a short walk from the Canady Creative Arts Center, gives you access to a vast script collection and industry-specific journals and magazines. You’ll stay ahead of the curve and be in the know about all things theatre.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Actors

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, motion picture productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

Median Salary: NA

Possible job titles include: Actor, Actress, Comedian, Performer.

Explore Career

Producers and Directors

Plan and coordinate various aspects of radio, television, stage, or motion picture production, such as selecting script, coordinating writing, directing and editing, and arranging financing.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $82,510

Possible job titles include: News Producer, Producer, Promotions Producer, Television News Producer.

Explore Career

Talent Directors

Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $82,510

Possible job titles include: Artistic Director, Casting Assistant, Casting Associate, Casting Director.

Explore Career

Where our grads are working

Acting graduates either enter the profession immediately or are admitted to a high-caliber graduate training program.

WVU alumni have found work with Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre companies.

Further your education

Keep going right here at WVU. Consider furthering your education in:

Places and Spaces

Learn about all of the places and spaces you'll learn in.

Program Facility - Creative Arts Center

Canady Creative Arts Center

The Loulie, Valerie and William Canady Creative Arts center boasts 4 exhibition spaces, 5 performance spaces, 33 individual practice rooms and 50 classrooms and studios with plenty of space to create. The loading dock at the rear of the building is a wonderful open-air space with stunning acoustics.

Explore the Canady Creative Arts Center
  • Virtual Tour
    It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.
  • Student Life
    You will have it all here — epic traditions, quality academics and a supportive community that feels like home.
  • Visit
    Experience WVU in person and start imagining life as a Mountaineer!

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Acting major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

Want to know more about Acting at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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Visit

​​Experiencing campus is the best way to see if WVU is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

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