BFA - Theatre History and Dramaturgy

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Production with an emphasis in Theatre History and Dramaturgy provides students with a proficiency in theatrical scholarship, especially as it may be applied to various areas of stage production. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates to enter the theatre profession and/or pursue graduate education in the fields of dramaturgy, literary management, and theatre history and criticism. Its emphasis on critical studies, historical awareness, theatre's role in the community, and a cognate field of theatre practice further provides a solid foundation for advanced study in the areas of theatre educational outreach, theatre for youth, stage management and directing.

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Application Requirements for Freshmen

• Admission to the University of Arizona
• College of Fine Arts application
• Two letters of recommendation from teachers, advisors or any adult (not from your immediate family) who can assess your potential for rigorous study of theatre history and dramaturgy.
• A résumé outlining theatre experiences, academic achievements and/or community service activities.
• A 500-word Statement of Intent that addresses how this degree program relates to your overall theatre interests and long-term career goals.
• A 750-1000-word performance review. Please select a performance for which you were not involved, except as an audience member.
  • Responses should be typed and double-spaced.
  • What was attempted?
  • How fully was it accomplished?
  • How valuable was the experience?

Evaluation Criteria:

Your review will be assessed on the following categories:

Argument and Analysis: The argument should be detailed, clear, well supported and insightful.

Organization: This is the arrangement and flow of your ideas.

Style: Your use of language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Successful responses will demonstrate an understanding of the performance, insights into the effectiveness of choices made by the production team, and evidence of the reasoning behind the your critical judgments.

All Theatre History and Dramaturgy majors must pass an interview and portfolio review at the end of the freshman year for continuation to the sophomore level. Admission to and continuation in all BFA programs is competitive and subject to faculty approval.

Application Requirements for Transfer Students

• Admission to the University of Arizona
• College of Fine Arts application
• Two letters of recommendation from teachers, advisors or any adult (not from your immediate family) who can assess your potential for rigorous of theatre history and dramaturgy.
• A résumé outlining theatre experiences, academic achievements and/or community service activities.
• A 500-word Statement of Intent that addresses how this degree program relates to your overall theatre interests and long-term career goals.
• Successfully complete an interview and portfolio review with Theatre Studies faculty. Portfolio materials will include a résumé and up to five samples of play analyses, critical or historical writing on theatre or related fields. It is preferable that you present this portfolio to a member of the Theatre Studies division either on campus or at one of the recruitment sites. Portfolios sent by mail are also acceptable, but return is not guaranteed.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all theatre courses completed.