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Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing

 

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing mission is to foster creativity and innovation in the cinematic, dramatic, and literary arts.

FILM

  • The Film program is the only comprehensive film production degree in the state, offering a BA and MFA.
  • The program prepares students for work in the motion picture industry by focusing on the use of new technology with the fundamentals of storytelling.
  • UCA offers one of the lowest tuition rates in the country for a complete film production degree.
  • Students have 24/7 access to production facilities, including dedicated editing suites, an audio recording studio, a sound stage with green screen, and computer labs.
  • Film graduates pursue work in the motion picture industry, the internet & computer software industries, the non-profit sector, advertising, as well as other media and corporate environments.

THEATRE

  • The Theatre program offers a BA degree with required and elective coursework in performance, musical theatre, directing, design, technology, and stage management.
  • UCA is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). This guarantees our Theatre program to be one of a select few in the United States to be judged according to strict national standards.
  • Each academic year UCA produces two workshop productions (student or guest directed), two faculty-directed productions (one musical and one “straight” play), and a showcase of student class work.
  • We are home to the UCA Summer Theatre, a professional summer theatre company that employs student interns to work side-by side with theatre professionals in performance, production, and theatre management.
  • We do not stand on seniority – If a Freshman fits the part, they are cast in the play.
  • Interested Design & Technology and Stage Management students have the opportunity to work on faculty directed, Main-Stage plays (lighting, set, costumes, etc.) as early as their Sophomore year.
  • We produce in our state of the art James M. Bridges Black Box Theater in the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts that opened in the spring of 2023.  We also have a 300-seat proscenium theatre in Snow Fine Arts.
  • Our graduates find work as actors, writers, directors, designers, technicians, teachers, voice over artists, and a variety of other occupations in film, television, and live theatre.
  • For admittance to our program, previous theatre experience is a plus, but not required.
  • Performance Scholarships and work-study funds are available for actors, designers, technicians, and stage managers.
  • To schedule an interview or audition, call 501.450.5092.

CREATIVE WRITING

  • UCA offers the only BA in Creative Writing in Arkansas. Our MFA program, the Arkansas Writers MFA Workshop, is one of only two residential MFAs in Creative Writing in the state.
  • The Creative Writing major offers the largest number of creative writing courses of any college in Arkansas. It is designed for creative writers, educators, editors, publishers, students in the fine arts and students intending to continue to graduate school in creative writing and English.  The primary focus of the degree is to prepare students for a lifetime working as a literary artist or for a career in an information-rich workplace that increasingly values communication skills and the ability to think creatively and critically.
  • The Creative Writing degrees offer multiple internship opportunities, including many with literary magazines, such as the nationally recognized Oxford American.
  • The job market for creative writers is very good. Our graduates have secured writing positions for web content companies, advertising agencies, and magazines and newspapers. Several have also published books. In addition, our graduates have an excellent record of entering graduate and professional schools.
  • Our courses stress hands-on, active study that emphasizes application.