Texas Christian University

PROGRAM OVERVIEW IN “THEIR WORDS”

At Theatre TCU, we offer two degree programs – BFA Theatre and BA Theatre.

The BFA degree is a four-year degree in Theatre. We offer students five different emphases to meet their career goals: Acting, Design, Musical Theatre, Production and Theatre Studies.

Our BA degree is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to receive broad theatre training with room to fit in elective hours  or perhaps pursue a double major or double degree program.

LOCATION

Fort Worth, TX

TRAINING APPROACH

Conservatory Style in Liberal Arts Environment

DEGREES OFFERED

BFA in Theatre, emphasis on Musical Theatre

SCHOOL SIZE

Mid-Size (10k - 25k Students)

COST

40K-50K

PRE-SCREEN REQUIREMENTS

Yes

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  • Two songs, 16 bars each, one up-tempo and one ballad
  • 90 second monologue
  • Two letters of reference from people who are not related to you, but can speak knowledgeably about your character and artistic promise (optional).
  • High school and college transcripts
  • Theatre resume
  • Headshot or photo
  • A one-page personal statement, explaining your professional aspirations and accomplishments.

LIVE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Two songs

  • 16 bars each
  • One up-tempo and one ballad
  • Bring sheet music
  • a professional piano accompanist is provided
  • No one may sing with pre-recorded accompaniment or a capella

One 90-second monologue

A dance combination

  • Performed as a group

AUDITION DATES & LOCATIONS

On-Campus:

  • December 3, 2017
  • January 27, 2018

New York City Unifieds:

  • January 20, 2018

Chicago Unifieds:

  • February 5-7, 2018

Los Angeles Unifieds:

  • February 10-11, 2018

PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

NORDAN FINE ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS
Amount: Approximately $15,000 per year
Number: Three Nordan Scholarships in Theatre are given to incoming first-year students each year. The Theatre Department has a total of twelve Nordan Scholarships, given to three students in each class.
Eligibility: Exceptional talent in theatre (Nordan Scholarships are also given in music, ballet and modern dance, and art). Applicants must audition or present their design/production portfolios in person at TCU on a pre-arranged date (see above). Awards are renewable for a total of 4 years, subject to recipient fulfilling departmental expectations; maintaining a GPA of 3.0 in the area of the award; maintaining a TCU cumulative GPA of 2.5; and maintaining satisfactory academic progress standards.

CLAYTON AND KRISTEN HICKS FIRST NIGHTERS SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: approximately $3,500 per year
Number: One per year
Eligibility: This award is given to an incoming first-year student who shows exceptional potential to be a strong contributor in the Theatre TCU production program. It is funded through the generosity of Clayton and Kristen Hicks, and the members of Theatre TCU’s First Nighters subscribers, who attend and strongly support Theatre TCU.

LOU MILLER CANTER SCHOLARSHIPS
Amount: $1,500-$2,500 per year
Number: Three-Four per year
Eligibility: These awards are given annually, usually to students who are majoring in theatre with an emphasis in design. They are donated by TCU theatre alum Kendal Canter Perryman in honor of her mother, Lou Miller Canter.

MELVIN AND KATY DACUS SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: $1,500 per year
Number: One per year
Eligibility: This scholarship is given to a BFA Theatre student, with an emphasis in Musical Theatre, preferably a baritone. It is donated by the Dacus family to honor the memory of their parents. One of the TCU Acting Studios is also named in honor of Mel and Katy Dacus, the founders of Casa Manana Theatre.

ANN BRADSHAW STOKES GRANT
Amount: $1,000–$2,400 per year
Number: 2-3 per year
Eligibility: These grants are donated annually by the Ann Bradshaw Stokes Foundation for students studying any area of theatre.

MARY HAWN THEATRE SCHOLARSHIPS
Amount: Approximately $2500 per year
Number: Approximately Ten per year
Eligibility: These scholarships are funded by the Mary Hawn Foundation for students studying any area of theatre.

FORREST NEWLIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: Approximately $1,300 per year
Number: One per year
Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to students who are majoring in theatre, with an emphasis in design. It is named in honor of the former department chair, Dr. Forrest Newlin.

FINE ARTS GUILD SCHOLARSHIP
Amount: approximately $5,000 per year
Number: One per year
Eligibility: This award is given to a senior and is funded annually by the TCU Fine Arts Guild, an endowed support group of patrons, friends and alumni.

PRODUCTION GRANTS
Amount: Approximately $2,000-$3,500 per year
Number: Approximately 40 per year
Eligibility: The Theatre Department awards these grants to theatre students in exchange for 10 hours of production work each week in the department. These grants are renewable and an increase in the grant amount is given for students who are returning to a grant for multiple years. The recipients of the activity grants are required to work for the department 10 hours per week. Production grants are available in the Scenic Studio, Costume Studio, Lighting and Sound, Props, Box Office, and other areas.

ACTIVITY GRANTS
Amount: Variable
Number: Variable
Eligibility: The Theatre Department awards these grants to theatre students who are committed and involved in the production activities of the Department.

FRESHMAN PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

First-year students are eligible and often cast in their first semester.

  • Casting is based on who is right for the role, not on class rank, emphasis, or major. Acting emphasis students are frequently cast in musicals; Musical Theatre emphasis students are frequently cast in plays.

OUTSIDE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

The department encourages students to audition for local Dallas-Fort Worth theatres while at TCU, if their semester schedule and TCU commitments allow time for outside work.

DEPARTMENT CONTACT

LINK TO MT HOMEPAGE

LINK TO ADMISSIONS PAGE

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