{"id":1723,"date":"2026-08-10T12:25:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T16:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/study\/?post_type=areas&#038;p=1723"},"modified":"2026-08-10T12:25:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T16:25:20","slug":"acting","status":"publish","type":"areas","link":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/study\/areas\/acting\/","title":{"rendered":"Acting"},"content":{"rendered":"<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><section class=\"wp-block-umw-hero alignfull umw-custom-block umw-hero umw-hero--dark-text umw-hero--media-float-right umw-hero--white umw-hero--with-media umw-hero--with-no-content\"><div class=\"umw-hero__inner\"><div class=\"umw-hero__media\"><picture class=\"umw-hero__media__picture\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"umw-hero__media__image\" src=\"\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/08\/JohnProctorIsTheVillain-121-scaled-1.jpg\" alt='Three actors on stage in a classroom scene performing \"John Proctor is the Villain\".'><\/picture><\/div><div class=\"umw-hero__title\"><div class=\"container\"><div class=\"umw-hero__title__wrapper\"><div class=\"umw-hero__eyebrow\">majors, minors &amp; Areas of study<\/div><h1 class=\"umw-hero__title__header\">Acting<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><h2 id=\"h-acting-bachelor-of-fine-arts-b-f-a\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Acting &ndash; Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-columns umw-aos-callout is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column umw-aos-callout-col1 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 id=\"h-craft-characters-and-tell-stories-that-resonate\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Craft characters and tell stories that resonate.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our acting major blends classical technique with contemporary practice, giving students the tools to command the stage &ndash; and launch careers as professional actors, stage managers, designers and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column umw-aos-callout-col2 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<h3 id=\"h-paths-of-study\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Paths of Study<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Major<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-explore\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Explore:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.umw.edu\/undergraduate\/majors\/acting\/#requirementstext\">Major Requirements<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.umw.edu\/undergraduate\/majors\/acting\/#learningoutcomestext\">Learning Outcomes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.umw.edu\/undergraduate\/majors\/acting\/#planofstudytext\">Plans of Study<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<i class=\"wp-block-umw-icon umw-icon-blurb-icon iconoir-bookmark-book\" style=\"color:#b8c11c;font-size:48px\"><\/i>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-what-you-ll-study\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">What You&rsquo;ll Study<\/h3>\n<\/div><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through scene study, voice and movement training, audition preparation and extensive performance opportunities, UMW acting majors develop the tools and confidence needed to thrive in a competitive field.<\/p><h5 id=\"h-sample-course-topics-include\" class=\"wp-block-heading umw-aos-sample-courses\">Sample course topics include:<\/h5><ul class=\"wp-block-list umw-aos-course-list\">\n<li><strong>THEA 240<\/strong> Stage Makeup<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>THEA 411<\/strong> Acting Styles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>THEA 362<\/strong> Theatre History and Literature<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>THEA 436<\/strong> Costume Design<\/li>\n<\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a full list of courses in acting, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.umw.edu\/undergraduate\/\">Academic Catalog<\/a>.<\/p><h3 id=\"h-why-acting-matters-at-umw\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Acting Matters at UMW<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ours is a strong community of theatre practitioners &mdash; faculty, staff and students &mdash; who create plays and musicals that encourage conversations with our audience.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through classes, rehearsals, work calls, meetings, practical experiences and strong faculty mentoring, our students graduate from UMW as emerging theatre professionals fully prepared to pursue a career in the professional theatre.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The program&rsquo;s reputation speaks for itself &ndash; UMW has frequently been ranked one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2025\/08\/12\/umw-included-among-nations-best-in-princeton-reviews-best-colleges-guide\/\">&ldquo;Best Schools for Theater&rdquo;<\/a> in the country by The Princeton Review.<\/p><h4 id=\"h-program-highlights\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Program Highlights<\/h4><div class=\"wp-block-columns umw-aos-highlights is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-hands-on-learning\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hands-on Learning<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UMW offers professional training coupled with a strong foundation in the liberal arts. Through <a href=\"https:\/\/cas.umw.edu\/theatre\/\">UMW Theatre<\/a>, academic, classroom and studio work come to life in fully staged productions that build technical skills in the area of specialty, as well as in collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, organization and management.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-professional-facilities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Professional Facilities<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students work in a facility with a proscenium theatre and a studio theatre supported by cutting edge audio, lighting, communications and rigging systems. Production spaces include a scene shop, costume shop, rehearsal studios, dance studios, wig room, dressing rooms, wardrobe, CAD studio, vocal studios, reading room and offices for faculty, staff, production, arts administration and stage management.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h5 id=\"h-mainstage-production-experience\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mainstage Production Experience<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cas.umw.edu\/theatre\/\">UMW Theatre<\/a> has produced many plays and musicals with impressive production values. Recent shows include Julius Caesar, Matilda, Men on Boats, Nunsense, Pride and Prejudice, The Play That Goes Wrong and The Rocky Horror Show.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<i class=\"wp-block-umw-icon umw-icon-blurb-icon iconoir-graph-up\" style=\"color:#b8c11c;font-size:48px\"><\/i>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-career-outcomes\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Career Outcomes<\/h3>\n<\/div><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UMW acting graduates go on to work as professional actors, stage managers, technicians and designers in major venues like the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Broadway, and on hit shows streaming on Hulu, HBO and more.<\/p><div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<i class=\"wp-block-umw-icon umw-icon-blurb-icon iconoir-journal-page\" style=\"color:#b8c11c;font-size:48px\"><\/i>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-umw-acting-in-the-news\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">UMW Acting &ndash; In the News<\/h3>\n<\/div><!-- wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller --><div class=\"wp-block-umw-horizontal-scroller umw-horizontal-scroller umw-custom-block\" data-module=\"horizontal-scroller\">\r\n  <div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__inner\">\r\n    <div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__wrapper\">\r\n      <div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__grid umw-horizontal-scroller__grid--columns-3\">\r\n                  <!-- wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-umw-horizontal-scroller-column umw-horizontal-scroller__column umw-custom-block\"><div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__column__inner\">\r\n  <!-- wp:umw\/news-card {\"link\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/23\/umw-theatre-steps-into-the-spotlight-with-new-bfa-in-performing-arts\/\",\"media\":{\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/NewRelease_BFA_2026.jpg\",\"id\": 0},\"eyebrow\":\"April 23, 2026\",\"title\":\"UMW Theatre Steps Into the Spotlight With New BFA in Performing Arts\"} -->\r\n<div class=\"umw-news-cards__article-wrapper\">\r\n    <news-card data-title=\"UMW Theatre Steps Into the Spotlight With New BFA in Performing Arts\" data-date=\"April 23, 2026\" data-picture=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/04\/NewRelease_BFA_2026.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/23\/umw-theatre-steps-into-the-spotlight-with-new-bfa-in-performing-arts\/\"><\/news-card>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/news-card -->\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n                  <!-- wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-umw-horizontal-scroller-column umw-horizontal-scroller__column umw-custom-block\"><div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__column__inner\">\r\n  <!-- wp:umw\/news-card {\"link\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2025\/02\/05\/alumna-breathes-real-life-into-costumes-for-umw-theatres-new-john-proctor-show\/\",\"media\":{\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/02\/NewRelease_Theatre.jpg\",\"id\": 0},\"eyebrow\":\"February 5, 2025\",\"title\":\"Alumna Breathes &lsquo;Real Life&rsquo; Into Costumes for UMW Theatre&rsquo;s New &lsquo;John Proctor&rsquo; Show\"} -->\r\n<div class=\"umw-news-cards__article-wrapper\">\r\n    <news-card data-title=\"Alumna Breathes &lsquo;Real Life&rsquo; Into Costumes for UMW Theatre&rsquo;s New &lsquo;John Proctor&rsquo; Show\" data-date=\"February 5, 2025\" data-picture=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/02\/NewRelease_Theatre.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2025\/02\/05\/alumna-breathes-real-life-into-costumes-for-umw-theatres-new-john-proctor-show\/\"><\/news-card>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/news-card -->\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n                  <!-- wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-umw-horizontal-scroller-column umw-horizontal-scroller__column umw-custom-block\"><div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__column__inner\">\r\n  <!-- wp:umw\/news-card {\"link\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2022\/08\/04\/theatre-alum-creates-costumes-for-hit-shows-on-hulu-hbo\/\",\"media\":{\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/07\/NewRelease_Austin_Alicia-1024x413.jpg\",\"id\": 0},\"eyebrow\":\"August 4, 2022\",\"title\":\"Theatre Alum Creates Costumes For Hit Shows on Hulu, HBO\"} -->\r\n<div class=\"umw-news-cards__article-wrapper\">\r\n    <news-card data-title=\"Theatre Alum Creates Costumes For Hit Shows on Hulu, HBO\" data-date=\"August 4, 2022\" data-picture=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/07\/NewRelease_Austin_Alicia-1024x413.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/news\/2022\/08\/04\/theatre-alum-creates-costumes-for-hit-shows-on-hulu-hbo\/\"><\/news-card>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/news-card -->\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<!-- \/wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller-column -->\r\n        \r\n        <div class=\"umw-horizontal-scroller__spacer\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div><!-- \/wp:umw\/horizontal-scroller -->\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"umw_cb_additional_links":[[]],"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_advisory_expires_time":"","_advisory_meta_include":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"creator":[2],"class_list":["post-1723","areas","type-areas","status-publish","department-td","key-major","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Acting - Majors, Minors, and Areas of Study<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/study\/areas\/acting\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Acting\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Acting &ndash; Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)Craft characters and tell stories that resonate.Our acting major blends classical technique with contemporary practice, giving students the tools to command the stage &ndash; and launch careers as professional actors, stage managers, designers and more.Paths of StudyBachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)Explore:What You&rsquo;ll StudyThrough scene study, voice and movement training, [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/study\/areas\/acting\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Majors, Minors, and Areas of Study\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-10T16:25:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/study\\\/areas\\\/acting\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/study\\\/areas\\\/acting\\\/\",\"name\":\"Acting - Majors, Minors, and Areas of Study\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/study\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-10T16:25:19+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-10T16:25:20+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/study\\\/areas\\\/acting\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/study\\\/areas\\\/acting\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/study\\\/areas\\\/acting\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/study\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Areas of Study\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/study\\\/areas\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Acting\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/study\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/study\\\/\",\"name\":\"Majors, Minors, and Areas of Study\",\"description\":\"University of Mary Washington\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.umw.edu\\\/study\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Acting - Majors, Minors, and Areas of Study","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.umw.edu\/study\/areas\/acting\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Acting","og_description":"Acting &ndash; 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