University of Arizona

The University of Arizona’s School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) offers a comprehensive and highly regarded theatre arts curriculum that brings together stage, film, and TV training under one roof. Undergraduate students can pursue a B.A. in Theatre, while more specialized training is available through B.F.A. programs in Acting and Design & Technology. These tracks emphasize rigorous training in acting methodologies—drawing on Stanislavski-based technique, voice and movement, stage combat, and screen acting—alongside professional-level design instruction encompassing scenic, lighting, costume, projection, and sound design.

Arizona Repertory Theatre (ART) serves as TFTV’s professional-equivalent performance lab and showcases the work of B.F.A. students in fully realized productions. ART stages approximately six productions each season—from classical theatre to contemporary musicals—giving students opportunities to perform, design, and stage-manage in a setting modeled after Actors’ Equity guidelines . Recent seasons featured Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweeney Todd, Much Ado About Nothing, and Uncle Vanya—all performed in the Tornabene and Marroney theatres, lending students practical, real-world exposure in well-equipped venues.

Students benefit from intimate and flexible performance spaces including the 326-seat Tornabene Theatre—a five-sided black-box style space—and the recently renovated 311-seat Marroney Theatre, which now includes state-of-the-art projection and surround-sound capabilities. These venues nurture both experimental and mainstage storytelling, backed by strong faculty mentorship and technical resources.

TFTV supports student-generated work through initiatives like the New Directions Festival and BA Theatre Showcase, where BA students produce, design, and perform entirely original content. These platforms, alongside guest artist workshops and visiting faculty, encourage creative risk-taking, new-play development, and interdisciplinary collaboration aligned with contemporary theatre practice.

Beyond coursework and production, UA theatre students engage with the broader arts ecosystem through internships at regional houses such as Arizona Theatre Company and performance collectives in Tucson, while also participating in national events like the Sundance Film Festival and professional workshops that support career development and artistic networking. Graduates of the program often progress into professional theatre, design careers, or continue with further training at regional and national graduate schools, well-prepared by a curriculum grounded in both artistic excellence and real-world experience.