Performing Arts Program

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre at Avila

Avila University’s 120-credit undergraduate degree in Theatre, set in a liberal arts context, is designed to pave the way for professional careers in theatre. Offering a B.F.A. with concentrations in Acting, Musical Theatre, Directing/Producing, or Design/Technology & Management, and minors in Music, Dance, and Theatre, we provide diverse pathways to success in the industry. 

Our pre-professional program, steered by experienced faculty, aligns your education with your career goals. We champion talent and dedication over seniority, providing leadership opportunities that build real-world skills. We cultivate an environment of growth and exploration, encouraging students to experiment across all theatre facets. This approach equips students with versatility, a crucial attribute for a thriving career in the dynamic world of theatre.  

Concentrations

The B.F.A. concentrations allow for just that: a concentrated study of one professional area. The B.F.A. is responsive to the needs of the professional areas of acting, directing, design/technical theatre and theatre management, and musical theatre. Unlike our conservatory competitors, the B.F.A. is firmly situated within a liberal arts university, and this is one of our program’s strongest assets.


  • TR 211 – Voice/Diction and Dialects (3)
  • TR 223 – History and Literature of the Theatre I (3)
  • TR 227 – Stage Make-up (2)
  • TR 253 – Stage Lighting (3)
  • TR 255 – Costume Techniques/Design (3)
  • TR 324 – History & Literature of the Theatre II (3)
  • TR 361 – Stage Management (3)
  • TR 377 – Business of Acting (3)
  • TR 391 – Character Development (3)
  • TR 415 – Playwright Seminar (3)
  • TR 463 – Advanced Directing (3)
  • TR 471 – Shakespeare in Performance (3)
  • TR 473 – Acting Styles (3)
  • TR 477 – Advanced Acting (3)
  • DA 110 – Basic Tap (2) or
  • DA 111 – Jazz Technique I (2)

8 credit hours total from the following:

  • MU 111 – Applied Voice (1)
  • MU 112 – Applied Voice (1)
  • MU 211 – Applied Voice (1)
  • MU 212 – Applied Voice (1)
  • MU 311 – Applied Voice (1)
  • MU 312 – Applied Voice (1)
  • MU 411 – Applied Voice (1)
  • MU 412 – Applied Voice (1)

2 credit hours total from the following:

  • MU 115 – Applied Piano (1)
  • MU 116 – Applied Piano (1)
  • MU 215 – Applied Piano (1)
  • MU 216 – Applied Piano (1)
  • MU 315 – Applied Piano (1)
  • MU 316 – Applied Piano (1)
  • MU 415 – Applied Piano (1)
  • MU 416 – Applied Piano (1)

8 credit hours total from the following:

  • MU 151 – Avila Singers (1)
  • MU 251 – University Singers (1)
  • MU 271 – Music Theory I (3)
  • MU 272 – Music Theory II (3)
  • MU 291 – Diction (3) or
  • TR 211 – Voice/Diction and Dialects (3)
  • TR 223 – History and Literature of the Theatre I (3)
  • TR 227 – Stage Make-up (2)
  • TR 253 – Stage Lighting (3)
  • TR 377 – Business of Acting (3)
  • TR 391 – Character Development (3) or
  • TR 477 – Advanced Acting (3)
  • TR 463 – Advanced Directing (3) or
  • MU 395 – Fundamentals of Conducting (3)
  • TR 471 – Shakespeare in Performance (3) or
  • TR 473 – Acting Styles (3)

Choose One of the Following:

  • MU 283 – History of 20th-Century Music (3)
  • MU 284 – Music History I (3)
  • TR 324 – History & Literature of the Theatre II (3)
  • TR 223 – History and Literature of the Theatre I (3)
  • TR 227 – Stage Make-up (2)
  • TR 229 – Scenic Art for the Stage (3)
  • TR 253 – Stage Lighting (3)
  • TR 255 – Costume Techniques/Design (3)
  • TR 257 – Sound Engineering & Design (3)
  • TR 324 – History & Literature of the Theatre II (3)
  • TR 361 – Stage Management (3)
  • TR 415 – Playwright Seminar (3)
  • TR 451 – Computer Aided Design (3)
  • TR 452 – Period Styles in Scenic Design (3)
  • TR 453 – Advanced Stagecraft (3)
  • TR 454 – Advanced Lighting & Sound Design (3)
  • TR 455 – History of Costume (3)

TR 456 – Portfolio Prep for the Theatre (3)

4 hours from the following:

  • TR 286 – Technical Theatre Practicum (1-2)
  • TR 288 – Stage Management Practicum (1-2)

Directing & Producing Concentration 

TR 223 – History and Literature of the Theatre I (3)

TR 253 – Stage Lighting (3)

TR 255 – Costume Techniques/Design (3)

TR 288 – Stage Management Practicum (1-2)

TR 289 – Directing Practicum (1-2)

TR 324 – History & Literature of the Theatre II (3)

TR 361 – Stage Management (3)

TR 377 – Business of Acting (3)

TR 391 – Acting III (3)

TR 415 – Playwright Seminar (3)

TR 451 – Computer Drafting for the Theatre (3)

TR 463 – Advanced Directing (3)

TR 471 – Shakespeare in Performance (3)

TR 473 – Acting Styles (3)

TR 495 – Internship (3)

Careers in the Arts..

A degree in the arts can provide career opportunities across a wide range of industries. Some of the most common include:

  • Actor – salary varies
  • Choreographer – salary $32,000
  • Screenwriter
  • Assistant Directory – salary $52,057
  • Broadcaster – salary $58,300
  • Casting Manager – salary $69,780
Two theatre students in the sound booth area of the Goppert Theatre

Contact

Dept. of Performing Arts
11901 Wornall Road / Kansas City

Matt Schwader Harbor, MFA, Assistant Professor, Theatre; Director of Performance Studies
P: 816-501-2405 / E: matt.schwader

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All degree programs

Undergraduate: online and On Campus
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Undergraduate: online and On Campus
With over 60 degree programs and minors, Avila offers flexibility to build a degree plan that works for you.
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Graduate: Online and On campus
Graduate: Online and On campus
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