Academics
Ready to Apply?
Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre begins with an application to UAB.
UAB Application
All the information you need to apply can be found on UAB's Undergraduate Admissions Hub.
If you are:
- applying to our Musical Theatre BFA,
- planning to be in our BA Performance or BA Design/Tech concentrations, or
- applying for a stipend, scholarship, or tour-group position,
you must apply through Acceptd (see link below).
If you are:
- transferring from another institution, or
- in our BA General Theatre concentration and do not intend to switch to another concentration or apply for a stipend, scholarship, or tour-group position,
you do not have to apply through Acceptd.
Acceptd Application
Acceptd is the largest performing and visual arts network in the world.
More Information
Purpose
The Theatre Honors Program is designed for outstanding students majoring in Theatre. Through mentored work on an individually developed creative project or research topic, students will develop skills in preparation for graduate school or a professional career.
Eligibility
Acceptance into the Theatre Honors Program requires the student to:
- Be a Theatre major.
- Have earned a 3.5 GPA in Theatre courses attempted.
- Have earned a 3.0 GPA overall.
- Have completed: Theatre Technology: Scenery and Lighting (THR 124), Theatre Technology: Costumes and Makeup (THR 125), Beginning Acting (THR 154), Introduction to Theatrical Design (THR 210), & Analysis of Dramatic Literature (THR 235)
- Have completed 60 hours toward the BA degree.
- Have completed at least two UAB Theatre production practicum.
Requirements
- Completion of required courses for the Theatre major.
- Arrangement with a faculty mentor for a creative or research project.
- Submission of a formal project proposal to the faculty mentor and the Honors committee.
- Registration for 3 credit hours of THR 496 Honors Project.
- Public presentation of the honors project.
- Acceptance of the completed project by the faculty mentor and the Honors committee.
- Submission of an archival copy of the project to the Theatre Department.
Benefits
In addition to the educational benefits of working on a mentored, individually designed project, honors majors receive a certificate at the Spring UAB Honors Convocation and will graduate "With Honors in Theatre."
Contact
For more information and/or admission to the Theatre Honors Program, please contact:
Lee Shackleford
(205) 527-4609
The UAB Department of Theatre prepares you for a future in the performing arts. You can pursue academic options that prepare you for careers in acting, directing, musical theatre, and stagecraft.
The UAB Department of Theatre offers:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre
- Bachelor of Arts with three different concentration options
Why Theatre at UAB?
Honors Program
Outstanding students can apply to the Theatre Honors Program. The honors program provides additional opportunities and serves as preparation for graduate studies.
Performance and Production
We produce at least four main-season shows every year, plus studio productions and showcase pieces. We also have four touring companies traveling all over the state and frequently collaborate on projects with other Departments on campus. The result is that actors and designers in our Department have plenty of opportunities to work, learn, and grow while exploring and challenging their own ability and creativity.
Theatre Facilities
From state-of-the-art theatres to a scene design shop, the UAB Department of Theatre has the facilities needed to put on professional-level productions.
No matter how good a student you are, having good advice is essential to your academic success. Students are assigned College of Arts and Sciences advisors based on their status as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior.
The College of Arts and Sciences' Academic Advising website has everything you need — advice, contact information, and all kinds of helpful links.
Incoming and Transfer Students
If you are a new student, meet with your advisor before signing up for classes. The hardest part of your first year should be your classes, not deciding what they should be. Take the easy way out: Make an appointment to talk or meet with your academic advisor before you attend New Student Orientation.
Contact the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office at (205) 934-6135 for help with registering but also with making the most of your choice to attend UAB!
Current Students
You can rely on your academic advisor for information, assistance, and encouragement throughout your time at UAB. In general, advisors will:
- help you identify your goals and develop educational plans to reach them
- help you understand degree requirements, course selection, and schedule planning
- refer you to resources across campus that can boost your academic performance
- help you understand academic policies and procedures
- provide information about potential areas of study
Visit the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office to find contact information for the Theatre advisor.
All great theatre programs have a student-run theatre group. Ours is the BTO - the Blazer Theatre Organization.
We all know and love each other within the Department of Theatre, but the Blazer Theatre Organization aims to spread awareness of the performing arts across campus and beyond. The organization seeks to create a fun, safe social environment for theatre students by sponsoring student work, participating in service activities, and coordinating social events for member students.
Students may get involved with the student body of BTO by attending events and public meetings. To become a permanent member, you simply contact the BTO Treasurer to pay your dues of $25. This one-time payment gets you full access to all our events, special invitation and reminders about everything we're doing, and the right to vote in our elections and run for office.
2025-2026 Officers
- President - Owen McManus (BA Theatre Performance)
- Vice President - Nairobi Maurice (BFA Musical Theatre)
- Events Chair - Sammy Sledd (BFA Musical Theatre)
- Treasurer - Ava Chen (BFA Musical Theatre)
- Secretary - Lauren Parrish (BFA Musical Theatre)
- Social Media Chair - Case Warner (BFA Musical Theatre)
Contact Us
Email:Instagram: @blazertheaterorganization
Facebook: facebook.com/uabnto
Many UAB students are drawn to our programs in addition to the work of the major, and for them we offer the Minor in Theatre. Students in the Minor have access to most of the same experiences as those in the Major, with a reduced commitment of time:
- Minor Degree can be earned with 24 credit hours
- Theatre Minors are eligible for all season auditions
- Theatre Minor can easily be converted to a major during freshman or sophomore years
- Theatre Minor is an asset in many careers, especially teaching
Curriculum
A complete list of courses and requirements is available in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.