Pathways to the BFA in Performance

There are two ways to be accepted into the BFA Performance program at UVU:

High School Students & Incoming Students

This option is best for graduating high school seniors who know that they want to focus on performance training and are willing to devote four years of full-time study to that goal.

Video auditions are currently being accepted through January 15th.  Please click the link in the section below to fill out the form and submit your video.

Callback auditions will be March 1st, 2025.

We also accept a limited number of incoming students through auditions at the Utah Theatre Association Conference.

Students who are not selected through either of these auditions are still encouraged to attend UVU as a BA student in theatre and audition again at the end of their first year as outlined under UVU Students & Transfer Students below.

 

Please continue scrolling for information regarding audition material.

Sophomore Acceptance - Current UVU Students & Transfer Students

March auditions, called Sophomore Acceptance, are primarily for transfer students and current UVU students who have taken (or are currently taking) the following prerequisite courses.

These auditions will be held February 28th, 2025.

If you are planning on taking this pathway, it is important to take the prerequisite courses in order and so you should enroll for your freshman year as follows:

  • THEA 1033 Acting I (take this in the Fall)
  • THEA 184R Voice Lessons (take this in the Fall if you are persuing Musical Theatre BFA)
  • MATH 1030 or above (take this in the Fall)
  • ENGL 1010 (take this in the Fall)
  • THEA 1113 Voice & Speech I (take this in the Spring)
  • THEA 2156 Group Voice (take this in the Spring)
  • ENGL 2010 (take this in the Spring)
  • THEA 159R (take this either Fall or Spring)

If you are planning on taking this pathway, make an appointment with the academic advisor over the BFA degree you want to pursue.

Theatre Production


Audition Information

High School & Incoming Students

High school and incoming students interested in applying to the acting or musical theatre BFA program will need to submit an application form along with an unlisted YouTube video of themselves performing the requested material (see below). Video screening begins early in the fall semester.

Applicants will need a free Google account to access the application form and submit their videos.

Once these videos are reviewed a limited number of candidates will be invited to an in-person audition on the UVU campus.

Acting BFA Video Requirements

Please present:

  • Two monologues that are contrasting in style and energy. Please NO SHAKESPEARE monologues. Each monologue should be no longer than one minute.
  • One song that shows us your vocal and acting ability. The song can be from a musical or a pop song. The song should be no longer than 90 seconds in length.

Your entire video should be no longer than three minutes in length.

Musical Theatre BFA Video Requirements

Please present:

  • Two songs that are contrasting in style and energy. One song should be from a musical or movie written before 1967/Golden Age piece. Each song selection should be no longer than 90 seconds.
  • One monologue that shows us your acting ability. The monologue should be no longer than one minute.

Your entire video should be no longer than three minutes in length.

In-Person Callbacks

If you are invited to the in-person audition on campus, you will receive an email that will have the room number and other pertinent information. These auditions typically run from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with a dance/movement call first thing in the morning and individual audition slots throughout the day.

Please prepare:

  • Audition material you sent in the video.
  • Headshot and Resume.
  • Another song/monologue if you choose.
  • Be prepared to move, as we will take you through a short movement combination. Dance shoes are not required.

An accompanist will be provided.

Tips on Selecting Audition Material

Above all, we recommend that you choose material that you truly enjoy performing.

There are no hard and fast rules about what you may present, but here are some other tips:

  • Choose characters that are age-appropriate (generally within about 5-10 years of your actual age).
  • Select material that you can perform in your own voice rather than pieces that rely on a different accent.
  • We prefer to see contemporary monologues (even though we love Shakespeare, we don't want to see him in these auditions)!
  • Try to select active monologues where the character is trying to get something from or do something to another character, rather than story monologues where the character is reminiscing or describing a past event.

 

Student in a Theatre production

Sophomore Acceptance - Current UVU Students and Transfer Students

Current UVU students and transfer students interested in applying to the acting or musical theatre BFA program will need to submit an application for an in-person audition. This audition is scheduled to occur live, on campus at UVU. Please watch your email about a week before the audition for information about the location. All students interested in both musical theatre and acting tracks will need to submit an unlisted movement video—this is not the same as an audition video.

PLEASE TIME YOUR PIECES. In order for us to maintain our schedule, it is imperative that you adhere to the time request. Please don’t make us cut you off. Thank you!

An accompanist will be provided for those who are singing. Please make sure your sheet music is legible and bring it in a binder with cuts clearly marked.

Applicants will need a free Google account to access the application and submit pre-audition materials.

Acting Candidates

Please prepare two CONTRASTING monologues of about one minute each. Your total time should not exceed two minutes. Please no Shakespeare.

Musical Theatre Candidates

Please prepare a monologue that is one minute (or less) and 32 bars of a musical theatre song of your choice.

Those interested in applying for either track.

Please prepare a monologue that is one minute (or less) and 32 bars of a musical theatre song of your choice.

Signups for Sophomore Acceptance auditions are coming soon! Check back here around January 31st to sign up for a time.

Application for BFA Design & Production Programs

Applications are due by March 1, 2025

Admission to the BFA programs is determined though application and portfolio review. Admission to UVU is required prior to acceptance into any theatre program. Admission to the BFA program is not guaranteed. An annual portfolio review is required for continuation in the program. Questions can be directed to

Application Requirements

  • Meet with a theatre arts academic advisor for BFA and BA plan.
  • Statement of Purpose summarizing your reasons for wanting to pursue a BFA and a career in theatre.
  • Transcripts
  • Sign up for interview and portfolio review. You will be contacted for a time slot after your application has been reviewed in mid-March.
  • Portfolios should consist of ten examples or more of designs, artwork, class work, or other items that would demonstrate talent, academic ability, and potential for success. All Portfolio examples should have been executed within the last two years and can be presented in a physical or digital portfolio form.
Theatre production
Theatre production

Scholarships

The Department of Theatrical Arts offers several types of scholarships—called tuition waivers—to freshmen, transfer students, and continuing students who officially declare themselves theatre majors.

Application Process

Application for all tuition waivers awarded through the department is completed through the central UVU scholarship system. The form should be completed in the spring for scholarships effective for the following year.

Other Scholarships

Other academic-based scholarships are available through the university generally.

Departmental Tuition Waivers for Theatre Majors

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Major Requirement: Only Theatre majors are eligible. Theatre minors are not considered.
  • Enrollment Status: Must be a full-time student at UVU with at least 12 credits per semester.
  • GPA Requirement: A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required. However, most recipients have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Annual Assessments: Performance BFA and Design majors must attend annual assessments.

Important Notes:

  • Tuition Waiver Limits: We cannot award waivers exceeding full tuition. For example, if you have a presidential half-tuition scholarship, you can only receive an additional half-tuition waiver.
  • Scholarship Universe: Filling out Scholarship Universe is not required for this waiver, but it may help you find other scholarships.

Renewal and Inquiries:

  • Annual Award: Scholarships are awarded annually and do not carry over to subsequent years.
  • Contact Information: For questions, please speak to your area coordinator or the department chair.

Senior Projects

If you are ready to do a senior project, please refer to the following process:

  1. Student clears their proposed project with faculty mentor in area of study (Writing/Dramaturgy: Janine Knighton, Directing: John Newman, Performance: Laurie Harrop-Purser, Design: La Beene, TYA: John Newman).
  2. Student gets written permission from the department chair to their advisor to receive override to sign up for credits.
  3. Student completes the proposed project and has regular meetings with their mentor in area of study.
  4. During the final faculty meeting of the semester, the student gives a five minute PowerPoint presentation covering the scope of their project. They also turn in a 10-15 page summation paper to their senior project faculty mentor.
  5. The faculty mentor will report the appropriate grade to the department chair.