Private school7.3K
Program
Concentration
Program snapshot
Admissions
No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App RequiredAudition format
In-Person or VirtualProgram profile
Selective12-24 StudentsProgram
Concentration
Quick links
Program snapshot
Admissions
No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App RequiredAudition format
In-Person or VirtualProgram profile
Selective12-24 StudentsBrowse programs
Concentrations
Quick Links
BFA Theatre
Theatre Studies
Program snapshot
Admissions
No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredUniversity App RequiredAudition format
In-Person or VirtualProgram profile
Selective12-24 StudentsTRAINING
•BFA track for students pursuing directing, playwriting, stage management, or critical studies
•Shared foundational acting training with Acting specialization students for first two years
•Junior and senior years: work alongside faculty, guest artists, and local professionals on mainstage productions
PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTIONS
•Senior capstone options include directing a Mainstage Rep play or developing an original work in the New Visions, New Voices reading series
•Students regularly cast in mainstage season alongside Acting specialization peers
•Collaboration with DFW professional companies including Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Beth Henley — Pulitzer Prize winner (Crimes of the Heart), Academy Award-nominated screenwriter
•Alumni working as Broadway producers, artistic directors, television writers, and casting agents
DEGREE FLEXIBILITY
•Pathways into directing, playwriting, stage management, and arts administration within a single BFA
•Liberal arts context allows minors and electives across SMU's broader curriculum
Academic info
Snapshot
3.67
Avg GPA (W)
63%
Admit Rate
school-wide
84%
Grad Rate
7.3K
Enrollment
$78K
Earnings
10yr after
Costs & Aid
Average Annual Cost
$40,892
after typical aid
Tuition & Fees
$67,040
before aid
Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.
$0-30k$23,544
$30-48k$20,038
$48-75k$24,152
$75-110k$33,477
$110k+$58,213
Program info updated 4d ago
Program Highlights
TRAINING
•BFA track for students pursuing directing, playwriting, stage management, or critical studies
•Shared foundational acting training with Acting specialization students for first two years
•Junior and senior years: work alongside faculty, guest artists, and local professionals on mainstage productions
PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTIONS
•Senior capstone options include directing a Mainstage Rep play or developing an original work in the New Visions, New Voices reading series
•Students regularly cast in mainstage season alongside Acting specialization peers
•Collaboration with DFW professional companies including Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Beth Henley — Pulitzer Prize winner (Crimes of the Heart), Academy Award-nominated screenwriter
•Alumni working as Broadway producers, artistic directors, television writers, and casting agents
DEGREE FLEXIBILITY
•Pathways into directing, playwriting, stage management, and arts administration within a single BFA
•Liberal arts context allows minors and electives across SMU's broader curriculum
TRAINING
•BFA track for students pursuing directing, playwriting, stage management, or critical studies
•Shared foundational acting training with Acting specialization students for first two years
•Junior and senior years: work alongside faculty, guest artists, and local professionals on mainstage productions
PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTIONS
•Senior capstone options include directing a Mainstage Rep play or developing an original work in the New Visions, New Voices reading series
•Students regularly cast in mainstage season alongside Acting specialization peers
•Collaboration with DFW professional companies including Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Beth Henley — Pulitzer Prize winner (Crimes of the Heart), Academy Award-nominated screenwriter
•Alumni working as Broadway producers, artistic directors, television writers, and casting agents
DEGREE FLEXIBILITY
•Pathways into directing, playwriting, stage management, and arts administration within a single BFA
•Liberal arts context allows minors and electives across SMU's broader curriculum
Updated 4d ago
