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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

National Association of Schools of Theatre

Live and Screened Performance

Events

Performance Season

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

Screening Events

What’s Up, Docs? Venue: Marroney Theatre December 16, 2025 at 7:00pm

Workshop Productions

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

Film & Television Production

News

TFTV Alumni Shine at the Loft Film Fest

The Loft Film Fest returns to Tucson November 5–13, and the School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) is proud to celebrate multiple alumni filmmakers in this year’s… More

TFTV Mourns the Loss of Senior Theatre Student Josiah Santos

Our University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television community is heartbroken over the loss of Josiah Santos, a senior theatre student whose creativity, humor, and warmth… More

Colleen Thurston (’08): Filmmaking That Flows Between Indigenous Heritage, Environmental Justice, and the Stories Rivers Tell

Colleen Thurston (BA ‘08) is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, educator, and curator whose work centers Indigenous perspectives and our relationship to the natural world. A citizen of the Choctaw… 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

Matthew S. Marcus Associate Professor of Practice

Matt Marcus is Associate Professor of Practice in Sound Design and runs the theatre sound area. He teaches courses in sound for live production, sound design, and entertainment technology, Matt has… More

Jayna Rogers Hanson Coordinator

Jayna joined the School of Theatre, Film and Television in early 2025 as the Hanson Coordinator. She is a University of Oregon graduate, where she earned a degree… 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

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

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

Naphtali Curry (BFA ‘20) has a full circle moment as ‘Shrek the Musical’ comes to Tucson

This week School of Theatre, Film & Television alum Naphtali Yaakov Curry (BFA Musical Theatre, ’20) returned to Tucson, playing a lead role in the national touring production… 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

The Loft Film Fest is in full swing, and @uatheatrefilmtv is proud to celebrate numerous alumni filmmakers featured in this year’s lineup.

Today, Colleen Thurston (’08) presented her powerful and deeply personal documentary Drowned Land, which amplifies the voices of Choctaw culture-keepers, local activists, residents, and scientists fighting to protect the Kiamichi River and water rights.

After the screening, Colleen was thrilled to reunite with her early mentor, TFTV’s Prof. Beverly Seckinger, whose classes she says influenced her career the most.

Drowned Land screens again at The Loft Cinema on Wednesday, November 12 at 2:45 PM - don’t miss it.

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 18009377033804126
The Loft Film Fest is in full swing, and @uatheatrefilmtv is proud to celebrate numerous alumni filmmakers featured in this year’s lineup. Today, Colleen Thurston (’08) presented her powerful and deeply personal documentary Drowned Land, which amplifies the voices of Choctaw culture-keepers, local activists, residents, and scientists fighting to protect the Kiamichi River and water rights. After the screening, Colleen was thrilled to reunite with her early mentor, TFTV’s Prof. Beverly Seckinger, whose classes she says influenced her career the most. Drowned Land screens again at The Loft Cinema on Wednesday, November 12 at 2:45 PM - don’t miss it.

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Our TFTV community is heartbroken over the loss of Josiah Santos, a senior theatre student whose creativity, humor, and warmth touched everyone around him. Josiah tragically lost his life in a crash near campus late last week. Two other University of Arizona students, Katya Castillo Mendoza and Sophia Troetel, Josiah’s beloved girlfriend, also passed away in this tragedy. CAPS counselors will be available today for any TFTV students who need support.

Josiah was an integral part of our TFTV family, bringing creativity, humor, and dedication to every project and performance. Recently, he played the role of Max in the musical “Bright Star,” and wrote the short play “Can We Talk?” featured in the 2025 edition of the New Directions Festival. He was a vital and central member of the Charles Darwin Experience, the improv club here on campus. Drawing on his improv and devising talents, he was also in the process of creating an original one-man show. To honor his memory, we are devoting the run of our upcoming production of “Love and Information” to Josiah - a tribute to human connection and empathy that so reflects who Josiah was.

To TFTV students: we know this is a profoundly difficult time, and there is support available to you. Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) will have grief counselors available for students today (Monday, Nov. 3) at 3:00 PM in the Drama Building - rooms 114 & 116. This will be an open, unstructured time for whatever needs or conversations arise. If you’d prefer private support, CAPS is available 24/7 at 520-621-3334. You can also schedule an appointment online at caps.arizona.edu/counseling or drop in at one of the CAPS locations during business hours.

Let’s take care of ourselves and one another as we hold Josiah, Sophia and Katya in our hearts - today and always. 💛

Pictured: Josiah alongside Meghan Gray in a rehearsal of “Bright Star.”

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 17948170704025902
Our TFTV community is heartbroken over the loss of Josiah Santos, a senior theatre student whose creativity, humor, and warmth touched everyone around him. Josiah tragically lost his life in a crash near campus late last week. Two other University of Arizona students, Katya Castillo Mendoza and Sophia Troetel, Josiah’s beloved girlfriend, also passed away in this tragedy. CAPS counselors will be available today for any TFTV students who need support. Josiah was an integral part of our TFTV family, bringing creativity, humor, and dedication to every project and performance. Recently, he played the role of Max in the musical “Bright Star,” and wrote the short play “Can We Talk?” featured in the 2025 edition of the New Directions Festival. He was a vital and central member of the Charles Darwin Experience, the improv club here on campus. Drawing on his improv and devising talents, he was also in the process of creating an original one-man show. To honor his memory, we are devoting the run of our upcoming production of “Love and Information” to Josiah - a tribute to human connection and empathy that so reflects who Josiah was. To TFTV students: we know this is a profoundly difficult time, and there is support available to you. Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) will have grief counselors available for students today (Monday, Nov. 3) at 3:00 PM in the Drama Building - rooms 114 & 116. This will be an open, unstructured time for whatever needs or conversations arise. If you’d prefer private support, CAPS is available 24/7 at 520-621-3334. You can also schedule an appointment online at caps.arizona.edu/counseling or drop in at one of the CAPS locations during business hours. Let’s take care of ourselves and one another as we hold Josiah, Sophia and Katya in our hearts - today and always. 💛 Pictured: Josiah alongside Meghan Gray in a rehearsal of “Bright Star.”

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The Wrap’s Top 50 Film Schools issue is here, and once again we’re proud that @uatheatrefilmtv consistently ranks among the top film programs in the country.

This year we ranked No. 11 in the nation overall and No. 4 for public universities. The Wrap paid significant attention to our new industry-facing partnership with Film Independent in Los Angeles - FTV LA - and highlighted our annual student trip to the Sundance Film Festival and ‘I Dream in Widescreen,’ our student film showcase 🌟

BTS photo credit: Caroline Rosen for Neylani Castro’s PARALLEL LINES

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Open post by uatheatrefilmtv with ID 17934679493983657
The Wrap’s Top 50 Film Schools issue is here, and once again we’re proud that @uatheatrefilmtv consistently ranks among the top film programs in the country. This year we ranked No. 11 in the nation overall and No. 4 for public universities. The Wrap paid significant attention to our new industry-facing partnership with Film Independent in Los Angeles - FTV LA - and highlighted our annual student trip to the Sundance Film Festival and ‘I Dream in Widescreen,’ our student film showcase 🌟 BTS photo credit: Caroline Rosen for Neylani Castro’s PARALLEL LINES

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