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

Strange Journey header image Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror Venue: Marroney Theatre October 10, 2026 at 7:00pm
Rocky Horror Graphic for TFTV The Rocky Horror Show Venue: Marroney Theatre October 11, 2026 to October 25, 2026
Photo of Amos Kennedy and his work. Proceed and Be Bold Venue: Marroney Theatre October 12, 2026 at 5:30pm

News

Rocky Horror Show publicity photo. TFTV unleashes ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ on the Marroney Theatre stage

TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) is kicking off its 2026/27 Theatre Season with The Rocky Horror Show, Richard O’Brien’s… More

TFTV Nominees at 2026 NATAS Student Production Awards. TFTV Students win six NATAS Student Production Awards

The School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) at the University of Arizona is celebrating another strong showing at the Student Production Awards, with student filmmakers earning six… More

TFTV March 2027 Trip Application Graphic with New York City Skyline Applications are now open for TFTV’s 2027 New York Student Trip

Junior and Senior Musical Theatre and Live & Screened Performance students are invited to apply for the School of Theatre, Film & Television’s 2027 New York Experience, taking… More

Featured Faculty & Staff

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

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

Christie Kerr Associate Director, Associate Professor

Christie Kerr is the Associate Director of the School of Theatre, Film & Television and an Associate Professor of Musical Theatre at the University of Arizona. Prior to… 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

From TFTV to Comic-Con: Student Film ‘Active Imagination’ Inspires Audiences

Each year at Comic-Con, the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival (SDICFF) presents a curated collection of films for audiences of all ages. As well as showcasing high-quality… 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

YouTube Exec Kendall Ostrow (’07) earns TFTV’S Young Professional Achievement Award

The School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) recently presented the inaugural Young Professional Achievement Award to alum Kendall Ostrow (‘07), acknowledging her singular career as a pioneer… 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

🏆 Six Student Production Awards! 🏆

University of Arizona student filmmakers had a big day at this year’s National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Student Production Awards, taking home six awards from a record 13 nominations!

Thesis films by School of Theatre, Film & Television students were recognized across a range of categories, from directing and writing to cinematography, sound, acting and long-form fiction. 

Best Director - Clinton Willis
Be Still, Boone

Best Cinematographer - Sean Leeman
The Exchange Rate

Best Writer - Kaitlyn Liddicoat
Rebranding Bob

Best Fiction Long Form - Clinton Willis
Be Still, Boone

Best Talent, Performer - Logan Tyler Hall
Be Still, Boone

Best Sound/Audio - Michael Staggers
They Wait

Hear from this year’s winners and check out highlights from the awards ceremony in this video, produced by TFTV alum Gage Judd (’19).

Huge thanks to @rockymountainemmy and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and CONGRATULATIONS to all of our nominees, winners, casts, crews and faculty!

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Calling all Musical Theatre and Live & Screened Performance students: applications are now open for @uatheatrefilmtv’s March 2027 New York Student Trip, taking place over Spring Break from March 6-13, 2027.

Eight students will be selected for the trip with expenses fully funded by generous donor Pat Engels and the School of Theatre, Film and Television.

The trip will give students the opportunity to step inside the professional musical theatre industry and prepare for a career in New York City. Over the course of a week, students will work directly with industry professionals, including casting directors and agents, and notable TFTV alumni such as Ben Crawford and Kendall Ostrow through individual coaching sessions, mock auditions, dance classes, and industry panels. Students will gain firsthand insight into the audition process, career development, brand management, and the realities of building a professional life in New York.

The experience also offers students the chance to see Broadway productions, connect with TFTV alumni working in the industry, explore New York’s theatre community, and experience the city as a potential home after graduation.

To be eligible, you must be a junior or senior LSP or Theatre Arts major or a Musical Theatre minor, at least 18 years old by December 1, 2026, and have a minimum 2.75 GPA. The application deadline is October 20, 2026 at 5:00pm.

Apply now to take full advantage of this amazing experience! Details & application link in bio.

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Calling all senior Film & TV majors: applications are now open for @uatheatrefilmtv’s fully funded trip to the 2027 Sundance Film Festival, taking place January 22–29 in Boulder, Colorado. Twelve students will be selected to attend one of the world’s most influential film festivals, with all expenses covered, including travel, lodging, meals, accreditation, and local transport, thanks to the support of the Hanson FilmTV Endowment. Participants will attend screenings, panels, roundtables, and networking events with industry professionals, while getting an insider’s view as part of the festival’s official volunteer team.

To be eligible, you must be a senior BA or BFA Film & Television major (including online students), at least 18 years old by December 1, 2026, and have a minimum 2.75 GPA. The application deadline is October 5, 2026 at 5:00pm, and an info session will be held on September 24 at 5:30pm via Zoom.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience Sundance from the inside. Link in bio to apply.

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