The BFA in Musical Theatre is a professional actor training program designed to prepare students to tackle the professional theatre world upon graduation. We provide a learning environment where we train not just the actor, but the whole person through activities in the classroom, rehearsal space, and onstage in performance.

At Shorter University, students are not only allowed to audition for mainstage shows in their first year—it is required for all BFA students! The faculty feels strongly about immediately fostering the connection between what students are doing in the classroom to what they do onstage.

One of the strongest aspects of the actor training at Shorter University is the faculty’s dedication to the growth of every student as an individual. Students’ training is monitored carefully through their time here, structured with regular opportunities to reflect on strengths and weaknesses, goals that are being set, and growth as an artist and member of the Shorter University Theatre Department.

Our actor training has three main branches:

An intensive curriculum designed to prepare students to be working actors after four years at Shorter. Coursework includes Acting, Stage Movement, Voice for the Actor, Audition Techniques, Makeup, Theatre Production, Theatre History, 8 semesters of Dance, a private weekly voice lesson with a member of the Music Department Faculty, Diction, Ear Training, Theory, Musical Theatre History, and more.

A strong focus on preparing for professional auditions. All BFA performance majors are required to audition at the Georgia Theatre Conference (GTC) in the fall, which screens them to go to the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) in the spring—SETC is the largest multi-theatre auditions in the nation. Extensive “mock” auditions are held throughout the year to fine tune the auditioning process.

A commitment to professional networking, which is crucial for a working theatre professional. Numerous guest directors and guest artists are brought in throughout the year to do master classes in addition to bringing in representatives from various companies to do private auditions and coachings at Shorter.

Rome, GA

Liberal Arts

B.F.A. in Musical Theatre; Minor in Musical Theatre

Small (<10k Students)

30K-40K

No

Songs

• Two contrasting 16 bar cuts from musical theatre pieces, one uptempo and one ballad

Monologue

• One contemporary monologue.
• One minute
• Age appropriate
• Monologue must be extracted from a larger work, preferably a play, but a screenplay is acceptable

Dance

• Group movement audition with a brief dance combination taught
• Bring a change of comfortable clothing for this part of your audition

On-campus

Dates for 2017-2018 not yet listed

Shorter University offers a wide variety of scholarships funded from the University’s own resources. Deadlines and criteria vary greatly, so check with the Office of Admissions or the Financial Aid Office as far in advance as possible. No institutional aid is available for summer semesters. Institutional aid may only be applied towards tuition.

Baptist Appreciation Scholarship

Shorter University offers a limited number of Baptist Appreciation scholarships to students who are active members of GBC churches.  Click here for an application form

Competitive Scholarships are awarded to a limited number of applicants based on outstanding academic credentials and a personal interview. A separate scholarship application is required. These scholarships, when combined with certain other forms of financial aid, may cover full tuition. Contact the Office of Admissions for further information and deadlines. Click here for a Shorter Scholars Program application

The Application for Admission to Shorter University is also the application for Academic Excellence Scholarships, excluding Competitive Scholarships. Academic scholarships are awarded based on academic GPA and SAT or ACT scores. Amounts range from $1,200-$7,000. If you have questions about an Academic scholarship, please contact the Admissions Office.

Shorter University Enhancement Grants are awarded based on a combination of Financial Need and Academic Rating. Amounts vary for each individual student. Students must fill out the FAFSA to be considered for the Shorter University Enhancement Grant.

Scholarships in music or theatre require an audition and scholarships in art require a portfolio showing. Please contact the appropriate department for more information.

Students interested in an athletic scholarship should contact the coach in that area to find out more information.

Freshman required to audition for the MainStage season.

Summerstock encouraged.

Dr. Tara Warfield
Chair of the Department of Theatre & Musical Theatre
Director of Opera, Assistant Professor of Music
706-233-7362
twarfield@shorter.edu

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School of Fine and Performing Arts
706-233-7247

Admissions office: 706-233-7319

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