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ActingMajor

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

By the numbers15

Number of productions in which a typical BFA student performs

Overview

What is Acting at WVU like?

Description

Our competitive program is considered one of the best university acting programs in the country because of the intensive class time devoted to acting training.

As a freshman and sophomore, you will receive six hours of acting per week. Beginning in the sophomore year, you will also get an additional four hours per week of movement or voice/speech.

In your junior and senior years, you will become a member of the Studio Acting Program, where 20 hours a week are dedicated to performance training in movement, voice/speech, scene study and acting. Your junior year is grounded in contemporary American realism and early modern realistic and non-real European drama. Your senior year is dedicated to work in Shakespeare and other period styles, including Restoration comedy and comedy of manners, as well as acting for film and television, voice-overs and musical theatre. Other topics covered include singing, Suzuki, movement composition, stage combat, audition technique, masks, improvisation, make-up, psychiatry for the actor, dialects and fencing.

All interested students must apply to the University and audition for the School of Theatre and Dance for acceptance.

Acting program highlights:

At a Glance

  • College/School:
    College of Creative Arts
  • Division:
    School of Theatre and Dance
  • Department:
  • Degree Designation:
    BFA
  • Degree Program:
    Theatre
  • Program:
    Acting

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Acting at WVU unique?


Research and Academic Opportunities

The Evansdale Library is just a short walk from the Creative Arts Center and houses a script collection. You can access industry-specific journals and magazines to stay current on what is happening and what is about to happen in the world of theatre.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

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

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Professional Organizations

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

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Our faculty members are working professionals who understand the needs of the actor and are dedicated to preparing students to work in the profession. Graduates either enter the profession immediately or are admitted to a high-caliber graduate training program. Graduates have found work with Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre companies.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Acting major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Acting at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Acting major.

View the Plan of Study
 

Popular Courses

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.

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.

Cost and Aid

How much does Acting at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current West Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

West Virginia Resident
Per Credit $432
Per Semester $5,184
Fall and Spring Semesters $10,368
Non-Resident
Per Credit $1,166
Per Semester $13,992
Fall and Spring Semesters $27,984
International
Per Credit $1,166
Per Semester $14,292
Fall and Spring Semesters $28,584
Scholarship Chart

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Acting can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Acting at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Acting major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2022-23 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Acting at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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