Acting Classes in Dallas, Texas with School and Program Information
Higher Education Articles February 25, 2013Within twenty-five miles of Dallas, Texas, there are four schools that offer degree programs and acting classes. In this article, we will give an overview of the programs offered at three different universities, admission and requirements information and discover which school is right for you.
Schools Offering Degree Programs and Acting Classes Comparison
Southern Methodist University offers bachelor and master degrees in the field and the school is located right in the suburb of Dallas, Texas. University of Texas – Arlington is located in the large city of Arlington, which is half an hour from downtown Dallas. This university offers three undergraduate degree programs, which include classes in acting. An undergraduate degree program is also available at University of Texas – Austin that is located in a small city of Richardson, which is about half an hour away.
| University of Texas – Dallas | University of Texas – Arlington | Southern Methodist University | |
| Degree Programs in Acting | Bachelor of Arts in Art and Performance – Theatre Concentration | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Studies Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Bachelor of Arts in Theatre |
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre – Theatre Studies Specialization Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre – Acting Specialization Master of Fine Arts in Acting |
| Related Programs | Master of Arts in Humanities – Aesthetic Studies | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Technology | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Media Arts |
| Type of School | Public, Four-year | Public, Four-year | Not-For-Profit (Private), Four-year |
| Student Enrollments | 18,864 | 33,439 | 10,982 |
| Campus Setting | Small City | Large City | Large Suburb |
| Tuition and Fees | $24,166 (out-of-state), $10,276 (in-state) | $16,390 (out-of-state), $8,878 (in-state) | $39,430 |
| Financial Aid Percentage | 87% | 85% | 80% |
| Acceptance Rate | 53% | 69% | 55% |
| Retention Rate | 68% (part-time), 83% (full-time) | 50% (part-time), 71% (full-time) | 100% (part-time), 89% (full-time) |
| Graduation Rate | 61% (25% transfer-out rate) | 40% (1% transfer-out rate) | 75% |
| Relevant Facilities | University Theatre | Mainstage Theatre | Owens Arts Center |
| Noteworthy | In 2013, Princeton Review ranked this school as one of the country’s top values | Department of Theatre Arts has a staff/faculty of over fifteen highly-talented members | Meadows School of the Arts named Apple Distinguished Program |
| Distance From Downtown | 16.1 miles (27 minutes) | 21.7 miles (29 minutes) | 5.7 miles (12 minutes) |
Southern Methodist University Degree Programs
Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts offers students classes and degrees in acting at both bachelor and master levels. Theatre classes are available to theatre students and all students who attend the university, with topics including fashion, acting as an art, scene studies, and performance.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre – Acting
Within the first two years of this program, students will build a foundation of actor training then completing advanced classes in stage movement, stage voice, and acting. The program includes seven levels of classes in the areas of movement, voice, and acting; in addition to classes such as professional/business aspects of the theatre, stage management introduction, theatre practicum, and text analysis. Free electives and general education classes will be required for completion of this four-year degree.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre – Theatre Studies
The program starts with two years of foundational training in acting. Then students select an area of concentration, such as stage management, directing, playwriting, and critical design/studies. There are only two levels of acting, voice and movement classes are required, but seventeen credits of theatre electives could be selected, as well as completion of other required courses such as theatre practicum, drama/theatre history, and text analysis.
Master of Fine Arts in Acting
Graduate students who have dedicated a majority of their life to acting should consider this three year program. The acting training covers performance and practice of contemporary, classical, self-created and ensemble pieces. The first year is comprised of voice/speech classes, movement, and acting along with participation in two auditions and graduate projects with regional theatres. The second year involves creating self-directed pieces, casting, and work with classical texts. During the third year, prospective actors will participate in workshops with agents and casting directors from around the United States then travel to selected cities and create online showcases to further their careers.
University of Texas at Arlington
The Department of Theatre Arts at University of Texas – Arlington offers a comprehensive curriculum, which gives students the opportunity to participate in theatrical productions and engages them in the intellectual debate about the future of the arts.
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
While only one acting class is required to be completed in this program, students have the options to select additional theatre electives. Some of the required classes in this program include theatre symposium, theatre practicum, craft of costume, theatre history, directing, and script analysis. Requirements for general education bring the necessary credits total for graduation to one hundred twenty.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance
This one hundred twenty-eight credit program covers five levels of acting classes along with training in movement performance, improvisation, dance, state/theatre management, theatrical makeup, and vocal performance. Students will complete general education requirements and fine arts electives along with taking part in a theatre practicum, in each semester.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Studies
Theatre students need to complete a minimum of two levels of acting classes in this program along with receiving training in dramaturgy, playwriting, movement, stagecraft, theatrical makeup, script analysis, costume design, and vocal performance. Each semester there is a required theatre practicum and students need to complete theatre studies research, general education requirements, and electives to finish one hundred twenty-eight credits.
University of Texas at Dallas
University of Texas – Dallas theatre faculty comprised of six members. The performance and art major offered through the School of Arts and Humanities is interdisciplinary, and a majority of classes are available to all students at this school.
Bachelor of Arts in Art and Performance – Theatre Concentration
The acting classes include advanced, intermediate, and beginning levels. Students are given training in musical theatre, improvisation, and body language. Students with acting potential can choose an acting emphasis for the performance/theatre ensembles and select an area of interest for the independent drama studies. Additionally, students complete classes in technical aspects of theatre, theatre history, and directing/producing. To round out this one hundred twenty credits program, students need to complete the core curriculum electives and requirements.
Additional School Option
University of Dallas is a private, not-for-profit, smaller school, and is located ten miles from downtown Dallas, Texas in the city of Irving. University of Dallas offers an undergraduate major in drama, with acting classes ranging from basic to advance.
