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Welcome

Welcome to the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV), one of the most dynamic and innovative programs in the United States. We bring together theatre with film and television in an integrated approach - preparing you to become a versatile storyteller across stage, screen, and emerging media.

Our Live & Screened Performance program equips students with cross-platform skills in acting, directing, writing, stage design, management, and dramaturgy for both live and recorded media. Thanks to our programs in Film & Television, TFTV is ranked the No. 4 public film school in the U.S. by The Wrap, offering hands-on training alongside academic grounding in critical studies and courses in the art and business of storytelling.

At TFTV, you’ll learn directly from world-renowned scholars, award-winning creators, and industry professionals from across academia, the arts, and entertainment. Regular guest artists and insiders from the field don’t just visit — they mentor, collaborate, and connect you to real-world opportunities, including internships. It’s more than education — it’s an immersive experience that launches your career.

Our FTV LA initiative, in partnership with Film Independent, offers unique access to the Los Angeles entertainment industry—screenings, networking events, workspace, and eligibility for prestigious fellowships like Project Involve.

Our home in Tucson, Arizona, offers more than a stunning desert landscape: it hosts a vibrant cultural scene with repertory and art theaters, film festivals, and permanent theatrical showcases. TFTV also produces numerous student-led performances, including live musical theater, fostering collaboration across disciplines.

We’re proud to be the only National Top 10-ranked film school that combines theatre with film and television into a collaborative and cohesive learning experience. This rare model ensures that you graduate not only in the medium of your choice, but with cross-disciplinary training that expands your creative and professional possibilities.

At TFTV, you’ll find a supportive, challenging, and inclusive space for artistic exploration—just steps from the mountains and a short trip to the heart of the entertainment industry.

Dr. Frances Gateward
Director

Live and Screened Performance

Events

Performance Season

Love and Information Venue: Tornabene Theatre November 16, 2025 to December 7, 2025

Screening Events

Long Story Shorts Venue: Marroney Theatre December 11, 2025 at 7:00pm

Workshop Productions

New Directions Festival Venue: Tornabene Theatre March 26, 2026 to March 29, 2026

Film & Television Production

News

First-year Live and Screened Performance student JJ Urquidez makes Professional Debut in Borderlands Thriller

Born and raised in Tucson, first-year School of Theatre, Film & Television student JJ Urquidez never expected his college journey to begin with a starring role in a… More

Innovative Theatre Meets Film in School of Theatre, Film & Television’s production of ‘Love and Information’

TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) proudly presents the next production in its 2025/26 Performance Season, Love and Information. This sharp,… More

TFTV Ranked No. 4 Public Film School in The Wrap’s Top 50 Film Schools of 2025

The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) is ranked No. 4 among public film schools by The Wrap, which released its annual “Top 50… More

Film & Television Producing & Studies

Featured Faculty & Staff

Daniel Staggs Assistant Professor of Practice

Daniel is currently the faculty Technical Director and head of Theatre Design and Production for the School of Theatre, Film, & Television. He has worked in the technical… More

Orquidea Morales Assistant Professor

Dr. Orquidea Morales is an assistant professor in the School of Theatre, Film, and Television at the University of Arizona. Her work on border violence, Latine media, and… More

Michael Mulcahy Associate Professor

Michael Mulcahy is a filmmaker, teacher and freelance production sound mixer. He recently served as 1st unit production sound mixer for Alex Cox’s new film, Tombstone Rashomon. His… More

Film & Television Online

Student Work

UA FTV Fiction Films

Our students' films have gained recognition at the world's top films festivals, including the Berlin Intl. Film Festival and Sundance, and feature stellar performances from rising stars in the Theatre programs. BA and BFA students in the film program work collaboratively on films, with BA students applying skills learned in producing and studies courses to lead projects in the producer role. Magic Hour and I Dream in Widescreen are the popular showcases for fiction produced in the program. More

Design Tech Showcase Reveals Secrets

Every year, the school brings agents, professional designers and production specialists to campus to view the work of our actors and design and technology students. The annual Showcase of Talent offers our students a valuable next step into the business and direct access to industry professionals. More

UA FTV Documentaries

Our production students gain experience in documentary, and are taught by working filmmakers whose films can be seen on HBO, Netflix, and PBS. The documentary work is original and eclectic, and reflects the rich culture of Tucson. Student work is regularly showcased at What’s up, Docs at The Loft Cinema and at I Dream in Widescreen, the gala event of BFA senior thesis films that regularly draws crowds of over 1000 to the historic Fox Tucson Theatre. More

Film & Television Los Angeles

Alumni Spotlight

Clayton Lukens (’24) joins North American tour of ‘The Book of Mormon’ 

School of Theatre, Film & Television alum Clayton Lukens (BFA Musical Theatre, ’24) was recently selected to join the national touring company of The Book of Mormon. Over… More

Craig T. Nelson delivers the keynote address for The University of Arizona’s 160th Commencement

This past Saturday, School of Theatre, Film & Television alum Craig T. Nelson delivered the commencement speech at the University of Arizona’s 160th Commencement ceremony. The ceremony was… More

Sydney Townsend (‘25) Joins the Cast of Alicia Keys’ Critically Acclaimed ‘Hell’s Kitchen’

As she prepared to graduate last spring, Sydney Townsend (BFA Musical Theatre, ’25) was also navigating a major career milestone: auditioning for the national tour of Hell’s Kitchen,… More

Take a virtual tour of the University of Arizona

Take a quick virtual tour of the Fine Arts District and the rest of the UA Campus, click here.

Instagram

What’s Up, Docs? is back!

Join us for an exciting screening of 12 original student short documentaries - powerful stories, bold voices, and fresh perspectives from our emerging filmmakers at @uatheatrefilmtv.

Come support the next generation of storytellers and experience the world through their lens.

Free to attend - all welcome!

Dec. 16 at 7pm in the Marroney Theatre.

Still from Andy Mourelatos’ ‘The Ironing Man’

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 18105194983584467
What’s Up, Docs? is back! Join us for an exciting screening of 12 original student short documentaries - powerful stories, bold voices, and fresh perspectives from our emerging filmmakers at @uatheatrefilmtv. Come support the next generation of storytellers and experience the world through their lens. Free to attend - all welcome! Dec. 16 at 7pm in the Marroney Theatre. Still from Andy Mourelatos’ ‘The Ironing Man’

...

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“Really, the theme of the play is how we find love, human connection and humanness in our lives when we’re in this world that’s just barraging us with sets and sets and sets of information endlessly flying at us,” said director Greg Pierotti in this Tucson Weekly interview.

“Even though it’s this unusual experimental play, it really does show us a little slice of how life actually is for us on the day to day. We are now living with so much information overload.”

Blending live performance with filmed segments, this production highlights the creative synergy between our film and theatre programs - a hallmark of TFTV’s Live and Screened Performance degree.

Don’t miss the 4 final shows!

• Performances: Dec. 5 – 7
• Tickets are available now. College and high school students can receive $5 student rush tickets to any performance.

Photo of Ollin Acosta by Tim Fuller.

82 6
Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 18102135997668893
“Really, the theme of the play is how we find love, human connection and humanness in our lives when we’re in this world that’s just barraging us with sets and sets and sets of information endlessly flying at us,” said director Greg Pierotti in this Tucson Weekly interview. “Even though it’s this unusual experimental play, it really does show us a little slice of how life actually is for us on the day to day. We are now living with so much information overload.” Blending live performance with filmed segments, this production highlights the creative synergy between our film and theatre programs - a hallmark of TFTV’s Live and Screened Performance degree. Don’t miss the 4 final shows! • Performances: Dec. 5 – 7 • Tickets are available now. College and high school students can receive $5 student rush tickets to any performance. Photo of Ollin Acosta by Tim Fuller.

...

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