B.F.A. in Acting

California State University - Long Beach

The B.F.A. in Acting is a rigorous, focused and sequential actor-training degree. This degree prepares its graduates to enter the acting profession and work across all media: stage, film, television and web-based work. The degree nurtures and develops both skilled, transformative actors and self-generating, collaborative theatre artists. The degree aims to train young artists whose work is truthful, physically and imaginatively engaged, vocally dynamic and versatile, and who can work successfully in a highly competitive global market place.Initially, the B.F.A. sequence focuses work on ''Self'' via the introduction of the fundamentals of acting, and the development of the actor’s body, voice, imagination, and creative individuality. Work also addresses creative blocks and unproductive habits.The sequence then goes on to deliver rigorous exploration work on the ''Role'' through a wide variety of dramatic texts and genres that the student will encounter in a career as a professional actor. It continues to develop the core principles introduced in the first year and adds more advanced techniques and methodologies.Finally, the B.F.A. degree will prepare students for a demanding transition into the professional arena. This preparation includes Shakespeare and other classical texts, self-generated material and solo performance, on-camera acting techniques, and techniques for digital or new media and an expanded mastery of the fundamentals introduced in the first year.

College of the Arts