Program Details
Program Details
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Program Details

Theatre with concentration in Costume Design/Technical Production, Bachelor of Fine Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Virginia Commonwealth University

The Department of Theatre offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts that may be entered into during the third year. All freshman and transfer students entering the department are initially classified as Theatre Foundation students. After successfully completing the first two years of core theatre courses in their foundation areas of emphasis, students apply for admission to a specific degree program (B.F.A. or B.A.). In the B.F.A. students concentrate on areas in performance, including musical theatre, and stage management, as well as three areas of design/technology: scenic, lighting and costume. (See the individual concentration pages for curricular outlines.) Note: Entry into the musical theatre foundation program requires a change of major form. Student participation in both credit- and noncredit-bearing department activities may be required. Students matriculating in School of the Arts degree programs are bound by the policies and procedures stipulated in this bulletin and in any other current handbook or policy document adopted by the individual programs. Because of the environment that exists in these preprofessional programs, all aspects of theatre as art, craft, business and education are experienced together. The curriculum immerses students in the practicalities of theatre. Throughout the four years, the performer works daily with voice, body and imagination, while the designer/technician is involved in studio classes and practical application.

Outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following: Demonstrate skills and techniques needed to enter the profession as a costume designer/technician Demonstrate knowledge of history, theory and literature and their practical application


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree A Theatre major takes time commitment, and requires time management skills. The Department of Theatre educates and trains students in pre-professional training programs in the fields of performance or design / technology. The department provides students with the professional and cultural foundations essential for achieving the highest standards of the art of theatre.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

It is recommended to complete courses in Stagecraft and Costume Construction, although not required. If registered for a production class, backstage production experience can count for VCU’s THEA100 Technical Production class.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Commonwealth University within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree Theatre students can select one of 7 different undergraduate degree options. Students can focus on specific concentrations in Performance, Musical Theatre, Scenic Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, or Stage Management. Or they can choose a BA in Theatre, which combines theatre with the liberal arts, and offers a broad range of options in the curriculum. Students can also choose a minor in Theatre or a minor in Musical Theatre. Students can also choose an interdisciplinary sound minor that includes many Theatre class offerings.
Program Successes & Highlights Our Alumni are award-winning actors, producers, directors, designers, and technicians. They have worked with an impressive array of theatre and production companies including: Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tours; Top regional theatres including Arena Stage, Steppenwolf, Santa Fe Opera, Cincinnati Playhouse, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, and American Shakespeare Center; and Projects for Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Showtime, Disney, and major feature films with studios like Paramount, and Warner Bros.
Program Credit Requirements
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Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
  • Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
  • View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived.

Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Uniform Certificate of General Studies is recommended.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Uniform Certificate of General Studies is recommended.
Credit for Prior Learning VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Commonwealth University
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
1902
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
VCU prefers transfer applicants with a cumulative college GPA of a 2.5 or higher who are in good standing with their pre...see moreVCU prefers transfer applicants with a cumulative college GPA of a 2.5 or higher who are in good standing with their previous institution. Some degree programs like Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Engineering have more competitive GPA requirements. Admission to programs in VCU Arts is also based on an evaluation of additional application materials and may be more competitive. Transfer applicants with fewer than 24 earned semester (36 quarter) hours will also be reviewed based on their high school GPA.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C..
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Averett UniversityBachelor of Arts in TheatreBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Averett UniversityBachelor of Fine Arts in TheatreBachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Hollins UniversityBA in TheatreBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Fine Arts Degree in TheatreAssociateAssociate of Fine Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre, Technical Theatre SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Fine Arts2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Arts, Major in DanceBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Arts, Major in Musical TheatreBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Arts, Major in TheatreBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in Theatre EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in TheatreBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBA in TheatreBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBS in TheatreBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
The University of Virginia's College at WiseBachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in TheaterBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in TheatreBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Mary Baldwin UniversityBachelor of Arts in TheatreBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
George Mason UniversityTheater, BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
George Mason UniversityTheater, BFABachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
William & MaryTheatre - Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Old Dominion UniversityTheatre/Dance-BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Bridgewater CollegeTheatre Major - BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Fine Arts in Musical TheatreBachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Bluefield UniversityBA in Communication Arts - TheatreBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Bluefield UniversityBS in Communication Arts - TheatreBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: Acting ConcentrationBachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: Directing ConcentrationBachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre: Design and Technology ConcentrationBachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityTheatre: Directing and Stage Mgmt (BFA)BachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityTheatre (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityTheatre: Musical (BFA)BachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityTheatre: Production and Design (BFA)BachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityTheatre: Performance (BFA)BachelorBachelor of Fine Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeTheatre (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Regent UniversityB.A. in TheatreBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
27-2011.00ActorsPlay parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
25-1121.00Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
27-2099.00Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All OtherAll entertainers and performers, sports and related workers not listed separately.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-2012.03Media Programming DirectorsDirect and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-2012.05Media Technical Directors/ManagersCoordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-2012.00Producers and DirectorsProduce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
27-2012.04Talent DirectorsAudition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at Virginia Commonwealth University
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $6,600 Per Semester $52,800 $0 $52,800 Every credit above 14 credits in a semester is charged at half price ($230 per credit for credits 15 and above; credits 1 -14 are charged the full rate)
Fees
University Fee $1,341 Per Semester $10,728 0 $10,728
Technology Fee $158 Per Semester $1,264 0 $1,264
Library Fee $44 Per Semester $352 0 $352
Student Activity Fee $45 Per Semester $360 0 $360 MCV Campus students pay a flat rate of $18
Academic Support Services Fee $50 Per Semester $400 0 $400
Health Fee $123 Per Semester $984 0 $984
Program Fee $45 Per Semester $360 0 $360
Transition Fee $150 Per Semester $1,200 0 $1,200 New undergraduate transfer students will be charged the Student Transition Fee in their first semester to cover Orientation. The Transition Fee for new First-Year Students is $225 and will be assessed in the first semester.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • Potential Additional Fees
    • Additional fees may include on-campus housing, meal plan, parking, technology, and program- and course-specific fees.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.