University of Utah

Department of Theatre

Program Head:  Sarah Shippobotham

(801) 587-9088

email:  s.shippobotham@utah.edu

Actor Training Program Brochure, 2008 audition Information, and Application.

The University of Utah Theatre Department offers a dynamic and demanding undergraduate training experience in its Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA.) Actor Training Program -- a professionally oriented university/conservatory program for students who seek careers as actors.  Designed to prepare students for classical and contemporary theatre, the curriculum is fundamentally craft-based, offering rich and intensive courses in voice, speech and movement as well as acting.  Rigorous instruction is also provided in verse drama, acting styles, audition technique, singing and dialects.  The faculty is comprised of nationally and internationally recognized working professionals who bring their talents, skills, and experience to the classroom.  We also have a commitment to bringing in guest artists and other visiting professionals to complement our existing curriculum.

Actor Training Program students must also complete the general education curriculum required of all University of Utah undergraduates and a well-rounded core of non-performance theatre classes including theatre history, dramatic literature, scenography, stage management and directing.   Because of these demanding requirements, students who successfully complete this program must be motivated, committed, and dedicated, as well as talented.

Admission to the program is by audition/interview and students must demonstrate continual progress and development and pass on-going faculty evaluations in order to remain in the program.

We are constantly working to establish relationships across the country.  In addition to the opportunities students receive with local theatres (Pioneer Theatre Company, Plan-B Theatre Company, Salt Lake Acting Company and others), The Children’s Theatre Company (Minneapolis) has visited our campus to look for interns and the Chautauqua Conservatory Theatre Company has sent a representative several times to audition our students for their summer school.  We have placed students with both organizations regularly. We have participated in a pilot scheme for The Monument Valley Theatre Project that involved sending two of our students to work with young Native Americans teaching them acting, movement and voice as well as producing an original piece of theatre.

Graduates have gone on to internships with professional companies such as Houston's Alley Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Milwaukee Repertory Company, The Minneapolis Children’s Theatre and the Cleveland Play House.  Others pursue advanced training at leading training institutions like NYU, The American Conservatory Theater, American Repertory Theatre/Harvard, Juilliard, Yale, the National Conservatory at the Denver Center, Circle in the Square, The University of Washington, The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, The Old Globe/University of San Diego and The University of Delaware.  Others head for Hollywood or New York City. Graduates can be seen on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in major regional theatres, including the Guthrie, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Circle Repertory Co., Arena Stage, Yale Repertory Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Old Globe Theatre and of course, Pioneer Theatre Company.   Utah students are regularly seen on stage and in film and television in the United States and abroad.

Department of Theatre Core Requirements

 *THEA 1220 considered part of Theatre Core and is also an ATP requirement.

**CW = meets U of U Bachelor's Degree Requirements for Upper-division Communication/Writing

Actor Training Program Requirements

All course requirements for the major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

NOTE:  University of Utah Requirements state that of the total of 122 semester credit hours, students must take 40 “upper-division” credit hours.  Any class numbered 3000 or above is designated as “upper-division.” Refer to the University of Utah Undergraduate Bulletin for Graduation Requirements/General Education

Requirements (www.ugs.utah.edu/student/gened/index.htm).

Optional THEA/ATP courses and/or instructor approval courses

THEA 5050 PTC Company 4th year PTC Internship (instructor approval)

ATP FACULTY/MENTORS

Debra Cook, Adjunct Assistant Professor

pcamcdebracook@hotmail.com

Jerry Gardner, Associate Professor

jerry.gardner@utah.edu

Peder Melhuse, Assistant Professor

p.melhuse@utah.edu

Sarah Shippobotham, Associate Professor

Head of the Actor Training Program

s.shippobotham@utah.edu

Sandra Shotwell, Professor

sandra.shotwell@utah.edu