Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts

The programme’s structure combines practical workshops and academic classroom modules. Approximately two-thirds of total weekly contact hours consist of modules devoted to practical aspects of performance. Students receive instruction in rising levels of live performance, including acting, voice control, dance and movement, direction and production. The students’ progress involves development and accumulation of material for a portfolio which provides evidence of their achievement of the programme’s required learning outcomes, and functions as a basis for individual assessment. The remaining one-third of weekly contact hours concentrates on class-based academic instruction that supports and contextualises the ascending levels of practical training, and includes such subjects as theatre history, performance theory, drama and politics, creative writing, management and marketing.

The programme is made up of the following components:

45 credits minimum from the performing arts major, including

CW201 Introduction to creative writing*
PA202 Introduction to performing arts management*
PA203 Acting and voice 1*
PA204 Dance 1*
PA205 Principles of marketing*
PA207 Direction and production 1*
PA208 Acting and voice 1*
PA209 Dance 1*
PA300 Dramatic writing 1
PA302 Event management for the performing arts
PA303 Acting and voice 2
PA304 Dance 2
PA306 Direction and production 2
PA307 Acting and voice 2
PA308 Dance 2
PA309 Event design and experience for the performing arts
PA310 Theatre craft 1
PA400 Dramatic writing 2
PA401 Performance on screen
PA402 Theatre craft 2
PA403 Acting and voice 3
PA404 Dance 3
PA405 Performing arts project 1
PA406 Direction and production 3
PA407 Acting and voice 3
PA408 Dance 3
PA409 Performing arts project 2
PA410 Theatre craft 3
PA411 Theatre craft 4
PA425 Internship (1200 hours / 30 credits – completed as a fourth year or incrementally in the course of the three years during summer and other breaks)

*Denotes general education module

30 credits minimum of general education classes
• The 200-level creative writing and liberal arts classes are all rated as general education courses and may be counted towards the general education requirement.

45 credits of free electives

• The remaining classes to achieve the required total of 120 credits may be freely chosen by the student, with the proviso that prerequisite stipulations are followed.
• The student may select as free electives more than the minimum 45 credits of performing arts major classes.
• The student may select as free electives more than the minimum of 30 credits of general education classes.
• If a student wishes to take a minor, a minimum of 15 credits must be taken in the minor, with at least 9 credits in the upper divisions (300+); these minor credits are taken from the free elective requirement.

Course schedule

Year 1

• Introduction to the performing arts
• History of drama
• Introduction to performing arts management
• Acting and voice 1 (9 hours per week)
• Dance 1 (3 hours per week)
• Principles of marketing
• Drama and politics
• Direction and production 1 (3 hours per week)
• Acting and voice 1 (6 hours per week)
• Dance 1 (3 hours per week)

Two end-of-year showcase performances

Year 2

• Dramatic writing 1
• Theoretical perspectives on performance or Representations of sexualities
• Event management for the performing arts
• Acting and voice 2 (9 hours per week)
• Dance 2 (3 hours per week)
• E-commerce and internet marketing for the performing arts
• Direction and production 2 (3 hours per week)
• Acting and voice 2 (6 hours per week)
• Dance 2 (3 hours per week)
• Event design and experience for the performing arts

Two end-of-year class showcase performances

Year 3

• Dramatic writing 2
• Performance on screen
• Master class presentations
• Acting and voice 3 (9 hours per week)
• Dance 3 (3 hours per week)
• The business of performing arts
• Direction and production 3 (3 hours per week)
• Acting and voice 3 (6 hours per week)
• Dance 3 (3 hours per week)
• Performing arts project

Four capstone end-of-year showcase performances

PA425Internship (1200 hours, completed as a fourth year or incrementally in the course of the three years during summer and other breaks)