University of Florida

The University of Florida’s School of Theatre + Dance, part of the College of the Arts, offers a range of theatre degrees at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, which allows them to focus on general theatre, stage management, or theatre management. This flexible degree combines creative work in acting, directing, playwriting, and dramaturgy with critical study in theatre history and literature.

For those seeking intensive professional training, UF offers two Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) tracks: one in Acting and another in Musical Theatre. Admission to these programs is through audition or portfolio review. The Acting BFA trains students in advanced movement, voice techniques, stage combat, audition preparation, and both workshop and mainstage performance. The Musical Theatre BFA is highly selective—limited to just a handful of students each year—and concentrates on blending singing, acting, and dance with individualized coaching and performance opportunities. Students in both tracks gain practical experience through juried evaluations and a senior capstone project.

In addition, UF offers a BFA in Theatre Production, with five specialization areas: costume design, lighting design, scenery, sound, and digital media. Students must pass a portfolio review to enter this professional track, and complete a portfolio and senior project to graduate. The curriculum emphasizes mastering both aesthetic and technical skills needed in contemporary theatre production.

At the graduate level, UF awards a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre, preparing students for careers in acting, design, or directing. Admission depends on audition, portfolio, and academic credentials. The MFA emphasizes artistic collaboration, studio-based practice, and culminates in a public performance project alongside a written portfolio defense.

Facilities include the 415-seat Constans Theatre housed within the Nadine McGuire Pavilion, and the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts large-scale performances and high-profile visiting artists. Students take part in multiple mainstage and experimental productions each year within these vibrant performance spaces.

Beyond academics, UF supports vibrant extracurricular involvement such as Theatre Strike Force, a large improv and sketch comedy troupe that performs regularly on campus and in the community. This ensemble teaches improvisational comedy and has produced national-level talent, adding a creative layer to student training.

Overall, UF’s theatre offerings combine strong academic rigor, professional-level BFA and MFA training, abundant performance experience, and immersive access to world-class venues—preparing students for careers across performance, production, teaching, and creative leadership.