Bachelor's in Acting (BFA)

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is a prestigious institution renowned for its comprehensive arts education and innovative programs. With a strong emphasis on creativity and experimentation, CalArts provides students with a platform to explore their artistic interests and develop their unique creative voices. At CalArts, students are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and push the boundaries of traditional artistic practices. The university boasts a faculty of experienced artists and industry professionals who provide valuable guidance and mentorship to students, nurturing their artistic development and helping them thrive in their chosen fields. With its vibrant artistic community, state-of-the-art facilities, and a focus on fostering a culture of artistic innovation, California Institute of the Arts continues to be a leading institution for aspiring artists seeking to make a meaningful impact in the creative world.

The intensive BFA Acting Program prepares students for the demands of a professional acting career across a variety of media. The objective is to nurture visionary actors who can work on stage, film, television, and across a variety of exciting new-media platforms. Based in classical actor training with an eye towards the future, the Program focuses on the tools needed to succeed in the shifting landscape of the 21st century. Rigorous classes in acting, voice, speech, movement, and theatrical production are augmented by a wide range of performance and production experiences—each tailored to the individual needs of the student. The curriculum is structured progressively with a strong emphasis on movement and physical expression as a means to unlock the imagination. First-year students study and perform significant texts across a vast landscape of the American canon. Focus is given to developing process and technique while expanding imagination and artistry. The second year is devoted to the study of classical world texts in performance. In addition, there is an increased focus on defining, developing, and deepening each student’s craft and individual vision. In the third year of training, students engage modern dramatic classics as well as contemporary cinema, poetry, and other narrative sources. The third and fourth years are devoted to on-camera technique as well as advanced scene study, all meant to address the growing importance of media to the actor.