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Program snapshot
Admissions
No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App RequiredAudition format
In-Person or VirtualProgram profile
Moderately Selective12-24 StudentsProgram
Quick links
Program snapshot
Admissions
No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App RequiredAudition format
In-Person or VirtualProgram profile
Moderately Selective12-24 StudentsBrowse programs
TRAINING
•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
•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
•Train with renowned faculty and guest artists, including Academy and Tony Award nominees
•Continuation beyond sophomore year is by audition — ensures a committed, high-caliber cohort
PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTIONS
•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
•West Virginia Public Theatre — a professional (Equity) theatre operated through the College — provides real-world experience alongside professional actors
•WVU Lab Theatre works have gone on to prestigious events like the New York Musical Theatre Festival
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Chris Sarandon — Oscar-nominated actor (Dog Day Afternoon), voice of Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas; appeared in Broadway productions including The Rothschilds
•Mike Hodge — Broadway actor (Fences, A Few Good Men), recurring roles on Law & Order and SVU, served as President of SAG-AFTRA New York
•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
•NYC Showcase puts graduating seniors in front of industry insiders and connects them with WVU alumni in theatre and film
•Creative Consultants program pairs students with accomplished alumni mentors
•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
•5 performance spaces of varied sizes at the Canady Creative Arts Center
•Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
•Grants available for educational travel and research
Academic info
Snapshot
3.72
Avg GPA (W)
89%
Admit Rate
school-wide
63%
Grad Rate
17,385
Enrollment
$55,939
Earnings
10yr after
Costs & Aid
Average Annual Cost
$15,634
after typical aid
In-State Tuition
$10,104
before aid
Out-of-State Tuition
$28,608
before aid
Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.
$0-30k$9,450
$30-48k$12,501
$48-75k$14,179
$75-110k$18,710
$110k+$20,273
Program info updated 3d ago
TRAINING
•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
•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
•Train with renowned faculty and guest artists, including Academy and Tony Award nominees
•Continuation beyond sophomore year is by audition — ensures a committed, high-caliber cohort
PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTIONS
•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
•West Virginia Public Theatre — a professional (Equity) theatre operated through the College — provides real-world experience alongside professional actors
•WVU Lab Theatre works have gone on to prestigious events like the New York Musical Theatre Festival
NOTABLE ALUMNI
•Chris Sarandon — Oscar-nominated actor (Dog Day Afternoon), voice of Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas; appeared in Broadway productions including The Rothschilds
•Mike Hodge — Broadway actor (Fences, A Few Good Men), recurring roles on Law & Order and SVU, served as President of SAG-AFTRA New York
•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
•NYC Showcase puts graduating seniors in front of industry insiders and connects them with WVU alumni in theatre and film
•Creative Consultants program pairs students with accomplished alumni mentors
•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
•5 performance spaces of varied sizes at the Canady Creative Arts Center
•Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
•Grants available for educational travel and research
Updated 3d ago
