Frequently Asked Questions
The School of Theatre, Film & Television delivers instruction and training to more than 500 majors across 6 degree programs and more than 100 minors. All university programs must continually assess their focus and from time to time must pause to ensure that the needs of current and future student populations are being met, and that curriculum remains in step with the direction of the disciplines. TFTV is proud to be a nationally ranked school. It is our responsibility to undertake periodic self-assessments to remain in the forefront.
We realize that our pause in enrollment in November 2022 and the subsequent decisions made about the future direction of the school have generated questions. We have created a set of FAQs that we hope will address them.
Last updated: Friday, February 17, 2023.
We are undertaking a deep self-assessment of TFTV and considering the possibility of reimagining our programs to keep pace with the ever-evolving industry. If we made new three- and four-year commitments to incoming students it would delay any possible changes for an additional year as well as being unfair to the newly recruited students who would enter TFTV at a time when major changes are being contemplated. The School continues to accept applications for our BA in Theatre and BA/BFA in Film and Television.
The BFA in Acting will broaden its curricular focus to include training in acting for film, television, and associated media. Training in theatre will remain a core component of this revised curriculum.
The BFA in Musical Theatre will graduate its currently matriculated students, providing a complete curriculum and fully produced musicals through the end of the 2025/2026 academic year. Although the School will no longer have a professional training program in Musical Theatre after all remaining majors have graduated, future production seasons will include musical theatre performances.
The BFA in Design and Technical Production will revise its curriculum to include not only training in theatre, but also in film and television design, and other entertainment design and technologies, as it has been doing gradually for the last few years.
The MFA in Design/Technology will conclude at the end of the 2024/2025 academic year with the graduation of its currently enrolled cohort of students. These students will receive their complete curriculum and production assignments in fully produced plays and musicals.
Live theater will remain the foundational basis of our revised acting degree program and an important element in the BA degree and for those in design and technology.
This is a specific commitment that musical performances will be fully produced for each class. The curriculum that is necessary for the Musical Theatre degree will be taught for all classes and the Senior Showcase will be produced with the same quality that every other class has enjoyed. The production of a Shakespeare play and a guarantee for at least one role each semester will be fulfilled for each class of matriculating students.
We take seriously the University’s commitment to shared governance and faculty are engaged in bringing new ideas to the administration about the way in which we can address the challenges we face.
Just as we are doing in theatre, we are continuing to accept applications in the BA programs in Film & Television. All students enter FTV as BA students.
On Thursday February 16th 2023, the Dean of the College of Fine Arts distributed a memo regarding the decisions that have been made about the future direction of the school. You can read it here.
The opening in Fall 2023 of the renovated Marroney Theatre will be emblematic of the new synergy in TFTV, with our audiences enjoying the work of our students in live theatre, film, and partnership productions.
College of Fine Arts application fees have either been or are in the process of being refunded. We would still love for those applicants to be a part of the Wildcat community this fall. Admitted students have over 150 degrees to choose from. Majors can be changed through Next Steps Center in the “Path to Enrollment” section. If you have questions about Arizona’s other degree offerings or would like to chat about your opportunities on campus, please connect with our undergraduate admissions team at admissions@arizona.edu or 520.621.3237.
If you have questions specific to the School of Theatre, Film, and Television please contact Daniela Tascarella at danielat1@arizona.edu or 520-621-9303, or the College of Fine Arts please contact Max Jackson maxj@arizona.edu or 520-626-1644. Applicants who are no longer interested in the University of Arizona may cancel their undergraduate admissions application through their Future Wildcat portal. This is the same portal used to create admissions and College of Fine Arts applications. We will refund all admissions application fees for students who cancel.