Review Draft

For some high school students, choosing their future college is the most crucial choice of their young lives. More importantly, understanding what these possible colleges have in store for them in relevance to their major can alter their decision in the long run. Choosing to attend University of Central Florida for the Conservatory Theatre Department is one of the smartest decisions a student wishing to pursue theatre can make. UCF’s theatre department includes undergraduate degree programs, as well as graduate degree programs. It has put on fabulous productions for years that have inspired and awed audiences that attend them. The students and professors all agree that the department’s goal is to provide the training necessary for anyone who participates in theatre at UCF, and for them to learn and grow as performers or designers in preparation for the world after college.
There are many opportunities in the conservatory theatre department, which includes the large amount of undergraduate degree programs. The Bachelor of Fine Arts major is an intensive program that requires an audition and interview for anyone interested in it. A student can major in BFA Acting, which according to theatre.ucf.edu is “Designed to prepare students for careers in professional theatre, the BFA Acting Training Program is a 129 hour degree program offering a sequence of courses in acting, movement, voice, and acting for tv/film”. BFA Musical Theatre is “Designed to prepare students for careers in professional musical theatre, the BFA Musical Theatre Performance training program is a 129 hour degree program offering a sequence of courses in acting, movement, voice, dance, music theory, and piano”. A BFA in Stage Management is “Designed to prepare students for a career in professional theatre as a stage manager, the BFA Stage Management Training Program is a 129 hour degree program”. And finally, BFA Design/Technology is “The BFA Technical Theatre/Design program is a 129 hour degree program in theatre technology, design, and visual Arts”. There is always a professional environment created for these students, and intensive classroom work is taken very seriously. An undergraduate can also obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies which is “The Bachelor of Arts Degree Theatre Studies is designed to offer an excellent foundation in theatre while providing greater flexibility and opportunity for interdisciplinary study.” This is known to be an easier path than the BFA program, and is more for students who would like to pursue a career including theatre and another minor. A student can also minor in dance or theatre.
Not only are undergraduate degree programs available at UCF for theatre, but graduate degree programs, as well. Just like the BFA program, the Master of Fine Arts include acting, musical theatre and design, however, it at also includes the major “theatre for young audiences”. This is for those interested in teaching or performing in theatre that is geared towards children. And just like BA’s for undergraduates, there are MA’s for graduate students. The Master of Arts is in theatre studies. The department website states that “The MFA degree program in Theatre at UCF is a highly selective, rigorous, three-year professional training program emphasizing both theatre theory and practice. The MFA at UCF is designed for students who demonstrate the artistic and intellectual capacity and evidence of professional promise to pursue careers in professional and academic theatre.” Clearly, the programs are taken very seriously at UCF, and it is very important that student leaves with a great understanding of professional theatre.
Along with great programs for these college students, there are also great productions that they can be a part of. I happen to know that a great amount of patrons have been coming to watch UCF shows for years and years. They buy season tickets every year, and are what the department depends on for most of their profit. I have gained a different insight than most people on productions here, because I have been able to witness the rehearsal process, as well as watch and observe the shows when they finally open. I have seen the amount of work and dedication required to be in a production, whether it is a main stage show or a black box theatre show. It includes long hours of rehearsal, and one-on-one work with the directors and designers for the show. The productions offer a perfect indication of what theatre is like professionally, and really set the students up for that stage in life. There are always great reviews about the shows at UCF which include musicals, plays, one-acts, and dance concerts. The students in the shows are the best of the best, and the auditions are open to any student, theatre major or not. The audience is always mixed with patrons, UCF students, and families of the students in the shows.
It is important to understand UCF’s theatre department from a different aspect: the students in the programs. I, myself, am a Bachelor of Arts major, and could not be happier making the decision to be a part of the program. Not only am I learning more than I have ever learned before this, but am having the time of my life working with great professors and other students. “I’ve learned the importance of working hard and dedication to growth and improvement, as well as the cooperating with others and using the resources provided to aid in that growth. Good work ethic and attitude will take you much further than talent alone,” says freshman BFA Musical Theatre major, Damian Barra. About the department as a whole, sophomore BFA Acting student, Casey Golin, says that “I think the theatre is a wonderful facility to help you to further your growth as an actor in a family environment”. It is obvious that these students feel comfortable in exploring their talent here at UCF, and feel that growing and learning is what is not only important, but what they are receiving out of participating in this program.
Anyone that may be interested in playing a part in UCF’s Conservatory Theatre Department should now know what it has to offer. From undergraduate to graduate degree programs, to dependably wonderful productions, to satisfied students within the facility, the department is nothing but a solid rock for those to build upon until ready to go out to real world. When choosing to come to UCF for theatre back in high school, I wasn’t sure if I made the right decision for my future. Experiencing the great outcome of that decision has left with me absolutely no regret, and in the little time that I’ve been here I couldn’t be happier with what I have gained so far. I urge anyone in that position to do the same.