A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a specialized degree reflecting more extensive study of Theatre than one would experience in a Bachelor of Arts (BA). For this reason, faculty in the Department of Theatre conduct interviews as part of the admissions process.
All students interested in pursuing a BFA will be considered “pre-BFA” until they have successfully interviewed for the program.
For more information please contact Scott Bartley (bartley@ccsu.edu) and Raven Ong (r.ong@ccsu.edu).
Interview will take place in September and February.
Portfolio and Interview Requirements
- Resume
Your resume should outline theatrical activities in high school, during summers, honors and awards received, theatre conferences, workshops attended. If you have been involved in productions, your resume should include titles of each show, your duties performed, locations of performances and names of directors.
- Artist Statement / Letter of Intent
Your letter should address what you want to do in the theatre. In your statement, explain clearly why you have a passion for your area of interest, as well as what skills and values you possess which will make you a successful student for the next four years, and a working professional later. Your statement should outline your particular interest in attending the Central Department of Theatre.
- Portfolio
Prepare a digital or physical portfolio that includes examples of design and/or technical work that you have done in high school, community theatres, summer stock, or at other colleges, including any digital or virtual projects you have collaborated on. Your portfolio should reflect an interest in one of the following potential areas of specialization: Scenic Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Props Design and Construction, Sound Design, Technical Direction, Stage Management. Please present your portfolio in a way that best represents you in an organized fashion.
Samples of work may include but are not limited to:
- Production photos
- Documentation of pieces designed or built for production
- Drawings and paintings
- Drafting, costume building or set model making
- Designs from other disciplines (fashion, hair and makeup, architecture, scenic painting, etc.)
- Collaborative work that is relevant to the study of theatre, design, technology, lighting, scenic, costumes, sound, props, stage management
- Documentation of paperwork (light cues, sound cues, cut list, etc.)
Note: We do not expect every student to have a physical representation of work done in the past, or to be at a particular level of knowledge or experience. You are strongly encouraged to bring anything you think will help the interview process. You must bring your actual portfolio materials with you to the interview.
- Interview
You will be interviewed by members of our faculty who will welcome you and be eager to learn more about you. During your interview, you will have the opportunity to talk about your work and share with the theatre faculty your goals and expectations.
Please be prepared to discuss and answer questions about your portfolio, artist statement, as well as your past theatrical experiences.