Training
•Bullet: Intensive conservatory training within a major university — 6 hours/week of acting training freshman/sophomore year, 20 hours/week in the junior/senior Studio Acting Program
•Bullet: Studio Acting Program (junior/senior years) covers contemporary American realism, Shakespeare, acting for film & TV, voice-overs, musical theatre, Suzuki, stage combat, dialects, and audition technique
•Bullet: Train with renowned faculty and guest artists, including Academy and Tony Award nominees
•Bullet: Continuation beyond sophomore year is by audition — ensures a committed, high-caliber cohort
Performance & Productions
•Bullet: Perform in up to 15 productions — BFA Acting students are the core casting pool for 5-6 mainstage productions plus up to 20 workshop and second stage shows per year
•Bullet: West Virginia Public Theatre — a professional (Equity) theatre operated through the College — provides real-world experience alongside professional actors
•Bullet: WVU Lab Theatre works have gone on to prestigious events like the New York Musical Theatre Festival
Notable Alumni
•Bullet: Chris Sarandon — Oscar-nominated actor (Dog Day Afternoon), voice of Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas; appeared in Broadway productions including The Rothschilds •Bullet: Mike Hodge — Broadway actor (Fences, A Few Good Men), recurring roles on Law & Order and SVU, served as President of SAG-AFTRA New York •Bullet: Dawn DeNoon — television writer/producer; original writing staff of Law & Order: SVU (42 episodes over 12 seasons), also wrote for Blue Bloods, The Blacklist, and Designated Survivor Professional Development
•Bullet: NYC Showcase puts graduating seniors in front of industry insiders and connects them with WVU alumni in theatre and film
•Bullet: Creative Consultants program pairs students with accomplished alumni mentors
•Bullet: Alumni have founded theatre companies, written and starred in their own films and web series, and work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and with regional theatres
Facilities
•Bullet: 5 performance spaces of varied sizes at the Canady Creative Arts Center
•Bullet: Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
•Bullet: Grants available for educational travel and research
