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

Events

Performance Season

Almost, Maine Venue: Tornabene Theatre February 22, 2026 to March 8, 2026

Screening Events

Film still from Huesera, The Bone Woman (2022) Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022) Venue: Marroney Theatre February 20, 2026 at 5:30pm

Workshop Productions

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

News

Poster for Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein'. Best Picture Oscar Nominee ‘Frankenstein’ Produced by TFTV Alum Scott Stuber

The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) proudly congratulates alum Scott Stuber (’92), a producer of Frankenstein, on the film’s Academy Award® nomination for… More

Portrait of Kelsie Ramos. TFTV’s Kelsie Ramos Named College of Fine Arts Outstanding Senior

The School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) is proud to share that Theatre Arts major Kelsie Ramos has been selected as a College of Fine Arts Outstanding… More

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

Featured Faculty & Staff

Lisanne Skyler Professor

Lisanne Skyler is the writer/director of award-winning short, feature and documentary films that have been selected for Sundance, New York Film Festival, South by Southwest Film Festival, AFI… More

Kerryn Negus Director, Outreach and Industry

Kerryn Negus is the Director of Outreach and Industry for the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV). She was previously the founding director of… More

Kevin Black Professor of Practice

Kevin Black is a Professor of Practice in Acting, teaching Acting l and ll, Introduction to Voice and Movement, and Screen Acting. He is a professional actor with… More

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

Alumni Spotlight

Filmmaker Sasha Reist (’23) speaks with CanvasRebel magazine about collaborators, mentors and the student film that changed everything

CanvasRebel, the online magazine that focuses on creatives making an impact and generating a living from their art, recently featured videographer and School of Theatre, Film & Television… More

TFTV Alum Diana Cadena wins Regional Emmy® for her work on AZPM documentary ‘John is Colorblind’

School of Theatre, Film & Television alum Diana Cadena (BA Film & Television, ’21) has won a Regional Emmy® for her work on the Arizona Public Media documentary… More

Asst. Editor Stephanie Silva (’19) talks about her work on upcoming Nicole Kidman-starrer ‘Holland’

Assistant Editor Stephanie Silva (BFA Film & Television ’19) is collecting some high-profile film credits to her name. As well as her assistant editing work on this summer’s… 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

TFTV is at Sundance! We’re excited and grateful to be at the festival for the school’s 4th annual trip to the festival - the final edition at Park City and the first without its founder, Robert Redford. Follow the adventures of 11 seniors (along with Film & Television Prof. Jacob Bricca and Director of Industry & Outreach Kerryn Negus) this week on our stories ✨🎞️

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Attention High School Thespians: Heading to Arizona Thespians this weekend?
 
Don’t miss TFTV faculty at their awesome workshops - plus, stop by the exhibit hall for U of A swag and to chat about our programs with our recruiter, Matt Denney!
 
Workshops to check out:

• Heard but Not Seen – Musical Theatre Sound Design with Matt Marcus
• YOU are the Art: Devising Relevant Physical Theatre with Rick Wamer
• Permission to Play: Fun, Fearless Acting with Erin Roberts
• Careers in Costuming with Rick Tuckett
 
See you there!

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Join @uatheatrefilmtv and @rowkpresents for a special advance screening of Dead Man’s Wire, the latest film from acclaimed director Gus Van Sant, taking place one day before its nationwide theatrical release.

Dead Man’s Wire tells the extraordinary true story of the 1977 kidnapping that transformed aspiring Indianapolis entrepreneur Tony Kiritsis into an eccentric outlaw folk hero. Directed by Van Sant and written by Austin Kolodney, the film stars Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino. The film made its North American premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, where it was met with critical acclaim, and it currently holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The screening will take place on January 15, 2026, at 7pm in the Marroney Theatre on the University of Arizona campus. Admission is FREE and open to the public.

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