BFA in Performance Requirements

Students who enter the BFA program and successfully complete the prerequisite gateway course will begin a sequence of ensemble training modules in the first semester of their sophomore year. There is a lab fee for each training module.

Transfer students are encouraged to apply to the BFA in Performance program. Transfers with 60 credits or more who are accepted into the BFA are not required to complete the gateway course and will only be required to complete four of the five BFA Modules, pending approval by BFA faculty. Transfer students with 30–59 credits may not be required to complete the gateway and will be assessed on an individual basis. All transfer students are required to complete the Performance Studies Seminar in addition to completing Naropa University’s core requirements.

BFA Ensemble Training Modules (12 each)

PFAR210, PFAR260, PFAR310, PFAR360, PFAR480

Each BFA Ensemble Training Module is a progressive, interdisciplinary sequence in dance, acting, and voice applicable to creating original work and includes training in exercises and techniques developed during the past fifty years of performance as well as strong elements of research. Each module represents approximately 80 hours of voice training in practices such as Estill, Roy Hart, and Linklater method; 80 hours of dance training in forms inspired by artists of the postmodern movement and beyond, with courses in Contemporary Dance Technique, Contact Improvisation, Body/Mind entering, Spontaneous Composition and World Forms; and 100+ hours in actor training and devised work, including work in Physical Acting, Grotowski, Viewpoints, Script/Text Analysis, Self-Scripting, and Project Development.

Across all disciplines, students are encouraged to discover their own creative process, participate in ensemble creation, direct elements of their own training, consciously choose techniques, and develop a contemplative approach to the creative process.

Modules average 18 hours per week of total instruction with periods of evening and weekend rehearsal as required. All modules are offered on a three-day schedule (Mon/Wed/Fri) with six-hour training slots per day. There is a lab fee for each training module.

First year, fall

Choose a 3-credit course that fulfills the Cultural and Historical Studies, World Wisdom Traditions or Scientific Inquiry requirement (3)

SUBTOTAL 15

First year, spring

Choose two 3-credit courses which fulfill the remaining Cultural and Historical Studies, World Wisdom Traditions or Scientific Inquiry requirement (6)

Choose a 3-credit elective in Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts or Traditional Eastern Arts (3)

SUBTOTAL 15

Sophomore year, fall

SUBTOTAL 15

Sophomore year, spring

Elective (3)

Choose a 3-credit course that fulfills the remaining Cultural and Historical Studies, World Wisdom Traditions or Scientific Inquiry requirement; if these requirements have been fulfilled, choose a 3-credit elective.

SUBTOTAL 18

Junior year, fall

SUBTOTAL 15

Junior year, spring

Elective (3)

SUBTOTAL 15

Senior year, fall

Elective (3)

SUBTOTAL 15

Senior year, spring

Electives (12)

SUBTOTAL 12

TOTAL CREDITS 120