Exploring the Performing Arts Programs at UCF: A Comprehensive Guide
The University of Central Florida (UCF) School of Performing Arts offers a wide array of programs designed to cultivate the next generation of artists, educators, and industry professionals. With a commitment to creativity, culture, and collaboration, the school provides students with diverse opportunities to learn from world-renowned faculty, network with top employers, and gain practical experience through internships and performances.
Diverse Degree Programs
The UCF School of Performing Arts, housed within the College of Arts & Humanities, offers a multitude of degree programs and areas of study, encompassing music, theatre, and dance. These programs cater to a wide range of interests and career aspirations, from performance and education to design and research.
Theatre Programs
UCF's theatre programs are designed to prepare students for a multitude of careers in theatre and entertainment. Most programs require an audition or interview for admission.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre: This program provides a foundation in theatre as a complement to any field of study, combining a broad overview of theatrical practice and literature with production experience. It prepares students for the many careers that support the work that takes place on the stage.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Theatre - Acting Track: This highly selective, rigorous, three-year professional training program emphasizes both practice and theory. The first two years consist of classes and productions at UCF, and the third is an internship at Orlando Shakes, one of the region’s most acclaimed professional theatres. This program accepts applicants every two years. The acting track is designed for students who plan to pursue a career in performance, building a thorough foundation in the classroom augmented with practical on-stage production experience.
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Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Theatre - Musical Theatre Track: Taking a conservatory approach within a liberal arts university, this track combines classwork in acting, movement, voice, dance, music theory, piano, and more with practical production experience. An intensive curriculum and practical experience on productions gives students the skills needed for a career in professional theatre. Students also have the opportunity to work directly with partner theatres, Orlando Shakes and Orlando REP. The musical theatre track is focused on the pedagogy and methodology of musical theatre. The track focuses on musical theatre as theory, trains students in specific theatrical skills and expands their expertise and credentials.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Theatre: This program offers a rigorous course of study of 39 credit hours minimum, culminating in the writing of a scholarly thesis. Of the 39 credit hours required for the degree, 21 credit hours are required core and specialization courses, in addition to 9 credit hours of thesis and 9 credit hours of electives.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Theatre - Theatre Studies Track: This track provides an opportunity to those with a foundation in theatre research and practice to strengthen their skills and knowledge beyond an undergraduate level. Many who enroll are high school teachers, community college teachers and developing artist scholars. This track is for all theatre disciplines and is rooted in the belief that classroom study and practical experience are of equal value. Students have the opportunity to work with partner organization, Orlando Family Stage a nationally-renowned professional theatre for family audiences. This program accepts applicants every two years.
Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Theatre - Acting Track: This is a NAST-accredited pre-professional actor training program. Through intensive practical and theoretical classwork and production experience, students are prepared physically and vocally as artists to succeed in this demanding profession. The program is a highly selective, rigorous, three-year professional training program emphasizing both theatre theory and practice. The first two years are spent on campus in classes and performing in Theatre UCF productions. The third year is spent as a resident company member at Orlando Shakes where students perform in mainstage and theatre for young audience productions, teach, study and assist with the operations of the theatre. The Acting track of the Theatre MFA program requires 47 credit hours of core and specialization courses that follow a suggested yearly schedule in addition to a thesis and an internship.
Themed Experience Track: This track teaches the creative and production skills, processes and concepts utilized to design and produce themed environments such as theme parks, zoos, aquariums, themed retail, dining, museums, virtual worlds and exhibitions. Students will benefit by UCF’s proximity to the hub of the themed experience industry.
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Theatre Minor: The Theatre Minor provides a foundation in theatre as a complement to any field of study combining a broad overview of theatrical practice and literature with production experience.
Music Programs
UCF's music programs offer a comprehensive education for aspiring musicians, educators, and researchers.
Bachelor of Music Education (BME): This degree prepares students for a career teaching the next generation of musicians. The BME meets the educational eligibility criteria for certification in Music (K-12) in the State of Florida.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music: The B.A. program is perfect for students wanting a foundation to pursue a career or further study in musicology, arts administration, music history, music criticism, music therapy and more. This degree has a liberal arts emphasis and flexible curriculum.
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Performance: This track is for students dedicated to pursuing a career in music performance from symphonies to opera and beyond. Students will work closely with world-class faculty and have opportunities to participate in a variety of ensembles.
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Master of Arts (M.A.) in Music: This advanced, flexible degree is designed to meet the personalized interests of students to accommodates study in music education, performance, composition, jazz studies, music history with either full-time or part-time enrollment to fit your schedule.
Music Minor: The Music Minor is for students who want to study music but are not pursuing it as a major.
Conducting Concentration: The Conducting Concentration is designed for students who are ready to take their conducting career to the next level. Through academic courses and hands-on conducting experience, this program provides the advanced education, skills and credentials to improve your abilities and open the door to more professional opportunities.
Dance Programs
- Dance Minor: The UCF Dance Minor offers a foundation in dance techniques, dance history, composition and performance.
Performance Opportunities
UCF students have numerous opportunities to showcase their talents and gain valuable performance experience.
Theatre UCF Productions: Students can participate in a variety of theatre productions, gaining practical on-stage experience in sound, lighting, costumes, scenery, and more.
Music Ensembles: Music students can participate in a variety of ensembles, perfecting their craft with some of the top jazz faculty in the country. UCF is home to Flying Horse Records and the chart-topping Flying Horse Big Band.
Pegasus PlayLab: This is a festival dedicated to developing plays by emerging playwrights.
Piano Studio: Piano studio students have many performance opportunities including performance classes, on and off campus concerts, participation in guest artists master classes, local, regional and national competitions, teachers’ conferences and performance events.
Specialized Studios
The School of Performing Arts offers specialized studios for various instruments and disciplines.
Voice Studio: Voice majors receive one-on-one lessons and a studio class each week, with a focus on the classical art song, opera and oratorio literature. Unlike some voice programs, UCF students will always study with an experienced faculty member.
String Studio: The string studio helps students develop their skills and be prepared for a professional career in performing or teaching. Students receive private instruction from faculty members that is designed for each student.
Percussion Studio: In the UCF Percussion Studio, the philosophy is centered around a “total percussion” learning environment, treating all instrument areas, genres and expressive outlets with equal relevance and importance.
Woodwind Instruments: Woodwind instruments, part of the wind family, include many popular instruments such as the flute (and piccolo), clarinet, saxophone and double reed instruments (oboes, bassoons, English horns). Studios are where you study with your private teacher for lessons and masterclasses on your specific instrument.
Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba: Brass instrument studios offer focused instruction on these instruments.
Partner Organizations
The UCF School of Performing Arts maintains close partnerships and common goals with arts organizations in the community, as well as advisory committees comprised of industry professionals. Students also have the opportunity to work directly with partner theatres, Orlando Shakes and Orlando REP. Students have the opportunity to work with partner organization, Orlando Family Stage a nationally-renowned professional theatre for family audiences.
Admission and Degree Requirements
Acceptance into the Department of Music is conditional upon completion of a successful audition. The audition will serve as a placement examination for accepted candidates. Prior to attending the first music class as a music major at UCF, all students must take a keyboard placement examination to determine the appropriate level of class piano. Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog. At least 65 hours of credit must be earned in music courses. Departmental Residency Requirement; at least 30 hours must be taken from the UCF Music department. Performance students must present two faculty-approved public recitals. Students should consult with a departmental advisor for course selection. Courses designated in General Education Program are usually completed throughout four years of study. Students must complete a faculty-approved Senior BM web portfolio. A cumulative minimum GPA of 3.00 based upon all courses required in the major as well as all courses taken in music is required. Failure to maintain this standard may result in program probation or dismissal.
During the fourth semester of applied study, each student will be required to pass the Professional Sequence Entrance Review, which will include the following: An evaluation of performance skills Completion of Performance I and II Completion of Class Piano IV Overall GPA of at least 2.5, and a GPA for all music courses of at least 3.0. This review is a pre-requisite for Performance level III. Completion of the following courses: MUS 2360C - Introduction to Music Technology Credit Hours: 3 MUT 2127 - Music Theory and Musicianship IV Credit Hours: 4
Additional Opportunities
Study Abroad: The school offers unique opportunities to study and perform in exciting locations abroad.
Leadership and Professional Organizations: Students are engaged in a variety of leadership, educational and professional organizations.
Capstone Experience: An exciting capstone experience, required for BFA Theatre students, is designed to provide a bridge between academic and professional life.
OPUS Scholars Program: The OPUS Scholars program is a unique, graduate curriculum offering professional orchestral experience and formal study in all facets of performing arts administration.
String Quartet Graduate Assistantship: The string quartet graduate assistantship is a two-year program where students earn their M.A. Music degree and perform as a member of the Pegasus String Quartet.
Composition
UCF student composers come from many backgrounds, and this is evident in the exciting and diverse music they create. Whether writing for the concert hall or for film, television or video games, our students pride themselves on their dedication to craft, openness to new ideas and meaningful interaction with listeners. Whether writing for the concert hall or for media including film, TV and video games, our students pride themselves on dedication to craft, openness to new ideas and meaningful interaction with listeners. While much of your studies will happen with your instrument’s faculty member, you will take theory, improv, history and more with many instructors in jazz and across the department and experience different styles and techniques.
Diversity
During the 2021-2022 academic year, 112 visual & performing arts majors earned their master's degree from UCF. Of these graduates, 58% were men and 42% were women. The majority of the students with this major are white.
Tuition and Fees
During the 2022-2023 academic year, part-time undergraduate students at UCF paid an average of $749 per credit hour if they came to the school from out-of-state.
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