Turn your lifelong dreams into reality with the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, which immerses you in performance training for stage and screen.

Mary Moody Northen Theatre' production of "Luchadora" (April 2023)

 

Fine tune your skills in acting, voice, improv, movement, singing and dance.

You’ll audition for the program in the spring of your freshman year, after you’ve had a semester to take theater arts classes and meet the faculty. Then, dive into your craft, with chances to learn about period styles, play analysis, theater history, voice and speech, dialects and movement. Gain valuable experience through the Professional Development Series, which includes workshops on voiceovers, commercial copy and other media.

In addition to auditioning for shows at the Mary Moody Northen Theatre, where you’ll earn points toward membership in Actor’s Equity, you’ll have the chance to work in the Austin creative community. Take advantage of the growing film scene, or perform with local theater companies. Before graduation, you’ll showcase your work for an audience of industry professionals, such as agents and casting directors. And afterward, you’ll have a support system in your faculty mentors, as well as an alumni network of St. Edward’s theater graduates in cities like New York and Chicago.

What do our graduates do?

Acting majors go on to a variety of careers and graduate schools from St. Edward’s. Here’s a sample.

Major Roadmap

Explore your options — classes, internships, research and study abroad. Use the Acting Major Guide to find what interests you, discover what you love, and create a major experience that jumpstarts your future. 

  • Theater producer in New York City and London, including winner of two Tony Awards, one Olivier Award and one Outer Critics Award
  • Writer, producer and director of a feature film premiering at the Austin Film Festival
  • Actor on The Walking Dead and The Fear of the Walking Dead
  • Manager of theater and dance programs in a public-school district
  • Development coordinator at ACT Theatre in Seattle
  • MFA candidate in Acting at UCLA

For more information about the BFA in Acting, please contact Sheila Gordon. The Acting major is part of the Department of Performing Arts

Scholarship Audition Weekend

Prospective theater students who have applied for university admission and been accepted to St Edward’s are invited to join us for a weekend in February of theater program activities. You will sit in on classes, tour the campus, dine with current students, meet program alumni, audition for a theater scholarship, see a show, meet the cast and crew and take workshops with university faculty. Scholarship Audition Weekend is a perfect way to test your 'fit' with the theater program as you are making that all-important college decision. Learn more about Scholarship Audition Weekend.

The Classroom and Beyond

Students majoring in Acting can explore career paths and practical application of their studies through internships and interactions with the greater Austin community.

On Campus Projects

Not only are students are encouraged to participate in the four Mary Moody Northen Theatre mainstage productions happening throughout the academic year, there are also opportunities to perform with the student organizations Transit Theatre Troupe and Box of Chocolates Improv Troupe.  These student organizations are constantly producing shows and all St. Edward's students are encouraged to participate.

Visiting Artists/Professionals

Guest artists from the world of professional theater, film and television work with faculty and students in production. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in hands-on work in acting, writing, design and directing.

Austin's Theater Scene 

In addition, students in the Theater Arts major are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the variety of arts supported by the vibrant culture of Austin. While studying at St. Edward's, you will be connected to the pulse of a cosmopolitan city. Austin is home to a community of people who appreciate the beauty of human expression. Engaging with the local culture will feed your soul. It's also an epicenter to creativity and attracts world class events. Your immersion in such a colorful art scene will enrich your educational experience and connect you to people who share your passion.

50 Alumni Who Inspire

St. Edward’s University counts more than 25,000 alumni around the globe. Some are making their mark in the job they started right after graduation. Others have excelled in multiple careers. They’re all building on the education they received at St. Edward’s.