This B.F.A. program is designed for students interested in rigorous conservatory studio training in acting on stage in theatre, and on-camera in film and television. The comprehensive sequence of study has a practical, professional application, preparing students for the modern acting industry. Classes in stage acting, voice & speech and movement are offered in partnership with The New Group, a renowned theatre company in New York City. At The New Group, students will study with accomplished professionals and seasoned actors.
An Immersive New Program Designed for the Next Generation of Great Actors
Studio Partnership
The program offers acting, voice & speech and movement classes in partnership with The New Group, a renowned theater company in New York City. Students take acting, speech and movement classes from company faculty of accomplished professionals and seasoned actors. By studying under the studio model at a professional theater company, our students immerse themselves in the art of acting, network with industry experts, attend performances, and participate in master classes and talkbacks with actors performing in The New Group’s works.
About The New GroupThe New Group, led by founding Artistic Director Scott Elliott and Executive Director Adam Bernstein, is an award-winning, artist-driven company committed to
developing and producing powerful, contemporary theater for over twenty years. While constantly evolving, The New Group strives to maintain an ensemble approach to all their work and an articulated style of emotional immediacy in the acting and productions.Artists who have performed and/or worked with The New Group in recent years include F. Murray Abraham, Matthew Broderick, Jesse Eisenberg, Ed Harris, Holly Hunter, Sutton Foster, Ethan Hawke, Holly Hunter, Cynthia Nixon, Amy Madigan, Megan Mullally, Kunal Nayaar, Rhea Perlman, Bill Pullman, Chloë Sevigny, Wallace Shawn and Dianne Wiest, to name a few.
Learn more at TheNewGroup.org.
The Actor as a Creative Entrepreneur
In addition to robust acting training, our students are prepared to be creators and producers of new work. The program covers the important facets of on-stage and behind-the-scenes theatre, as well as on-camera performance and production. In their final year, students work with a mentor to create capstone projects in their chosen fields of theatre, film, television, or any combination thereof. This project is the culmination of the BFA program and prepares students for the field of their choice in the professional realm.
Preparing the Working Actor
Starting in the first semester, students learn how to navigate the business side of the performance industry and market themselves as actors. They will learn how to prepare headshots, resumes, reels, and develop their own personal website & online presence through social media. The four-year course of study ends with a showcase where students perform monologues and scenes in front of a panel of invited industry agents, managers, and casting directors.
In the Heart of Brooklyn
Surrounding the LIU Brooklyn campus is a flourishing and continuously expanding arts and cultural community, including:
The program is designed to connect students with the growing downtown Brooklyn arts, film, and theatre scene, and with Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, regional theatre companies as well as the Manhattan film, video, and webcast industries.
Photo Credits: Monique Carboni, Jody Christopherson, Dan Henry, Jordan Matter
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| MA 187 | Film and Television Studies | 3 |
| MA 1581 | On-Camera Performance I | 3 |
| MA 1582 | On-Camera Performance II | 3 |
| MA 1583 | On-Camera Performance III | 3 |
| TFT 100 | Theatre History and Play Analysis | 3 |
| TFT 120 | Studio I - Acting, Voice and Movement | 6 |
| TFT 121 | Studio II - Acting, Voice and Movement |
6 |
| TFT 122 | Studio III - Acting, Voice and Movement |
6 |
| TFT 123 | Studio IV - Acting, Voice and Movement |
6 |
| TFT 124 | Studio V - Acting, Voice and Movement |
6 |
| TFT 125 | Studio VI - Acting, Voice and Movement |
6 |
| TFT 130 | The Contemporary Performance Industry | 3 |
| TFT 131 | Business of Theatre, Film and Television | 3 |
| TFT 180 | Performance in 21st Century Theatre and Media | 3 |
| TFT 187 | Film and Television Studies | 3 |
| TFT 190 | Production Lab I | 1 |
| TFT 191 | Production Lab II |
1 |
| TFT 192 | Production Lab III |
1 |
| TFT 193 | Production Lab IV |
1 |
| TFT 194 | Production Lab V |
1 |
| TFT 195 | Production Lab VI | 1 |
| TFT 196 | Production Lab VII | 1 |
| TFT 197 | Production Lav VIII | 1 |
| TFT 199 | Internship | 3 |
| TFT 200 | Capstone I | 2 |
| TFT 201 | Capstone II | 3 |
| TFT 220 | Showcase | 2 |
| THE 1391 | On-Camera Performance I | 3 |
| THE 1392 | On-Camera Performance II | 3 |
| THE 1393 | On-Camera Performance III | 3 |
| Workshop/Production Requirement (One of the following) | ||
| MA 102 | Television Production I | 3 |
| MA 106 | Video Workshop I | 3 |
| Require Writing Course (One of the following) | ||
| MA 152 | Screenplay | 3 |
| MA 1481 | Introduction to Playwriting | 3 |
| THE 1221 | Introduction to Playwriting | 3 |
| Required Directing Course (One of the following) | ||
| MA 155 | Directing the Moving Image | 3 |
| MA 1601 | Directing I | 3 |
| THE 1201 | The Music Business | 3 |
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| Required Core Courses | ||
| English Composition | ||
| ENG 16/ ENG 16C | English Composition | 3 |
| English Literature Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| ENG 61 | European Literatures I | 3 |
| ENG 62 | European Literatures II | 3 |
| ENG 63 | American Literatures | 3 |
| ENG 64 | Global Literatures | 3 |
| History Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| HIS 1 | Perspectives in Pre-modern World History | 3 |
| HIS 2 | Perspectives in Modern World History | 3 |
| Philosophy | ||
| PHI 60 | Philosophical Explorations | 3 |
| Speech | ||
| SPE 3 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| Mathematics Select one (1) course from the following, unless major requirements list specific Math courses: |
||
| MTH 15 | Math Tools and Their Use | 4 |
| MTH 16 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
| Science Lab-Based Course Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| BIO | Biology | 4 |
| CHM | Chemistry | 4 |
| PHY | Physics | 4 |
| Foreign Language Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| SPA 11 | Introductory Spanish I | 3 |
| SPA 12 | Introductory Spanish II | 3 |
| ITL 11 | Introductory Italian I | 3 |
| ITL 12 | Introductory Italian II | 3 |
| FRE 11 | Introductory French I | 3 |
| FRE 12 | Introductory French II | 3 |
| Visual and Performing Arts Select one (1) course from the following: |
||
| ART 61 | Introduction to Visual Art | 3 |
| DNC 61 | Dance Through Time | 3 |
| JOU 61 | Journalism, Social Media, and You | 3 |
| MA 61 | Media Arts and Technology | 3 |
| MUS 61 | Music and Culture | 3 |
| THE 61 | The Theatrical Vision | 3 |
| Social Sciences I Select any introductory course from the following: |
||
| Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology | 3 | |
| Social Sciences II Select any introductory course from the following: |
||
| Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology | 3 | |
| Credit Requirements | |
| Total Major Requirement Credits | 86 |
| Total Core Requirement Credits | 34-35 |
| Total Degree Credits | 120 |
MA 102 Television Production I
Introduction to the principles and practice of multi-camera TV studio production. This course covers the basic production roles and techniques including producing, directing, switching, scripting, shooting, audio, electronic graphics and on-camera performance. Students apply the skills learned in class to producing and directing a TV talk show and musical production.
Credits: 3.00
MA 103 Television Production II
An intermediate level course expanding the techniques and applications of TV studio production covered in Television Production I. Students focus on producing and directing scripted studio productions such as TV dramas and news programs. Basic lighting techniques and set construction are also covered.
Credits: 3.00
MA 106 Video Workshop I
An introduction to the principles and practice of portable digital video production. Working in crews on field projects, students explore the techniques and aesthetics of single-camera videography, sound recording, location lighting, and video editing.
Credits: 3.00
MA 155 Directing the Moving Image
This is an advanced course in single camera style film and television production. We will explore the role of the director in modern digital filmmaking. Students will participate in projects that will develop a language for talking with actors, communicating with the director of photography and production designer. We will look at the importance of casting, script notes and how to create a dynamic shot list and shot diagrams. This class will utilize all that they have learned in previous production classes and develop new skills that will deepen the student¿s understanding of how to read a script, how to apply visual components to their story and how to transform these blueprints into a powerful film.
Credits: 3.00
MA 187 Film and Television Studies
A survey of the history and development of world cinema and television. Through screenings and discussions, students study this twentieth-century art form as developed by various countries, individuals and movements. The development of cinema and television as an industry and a part of the larger economy; as a series of technical innovations, as a history of aesthetic forms, as a social, cultural and political force and as a reflection of the ideas of its society are explored.
Credits: 3.00
MA 1481 Introduction to Playwriting
The writing and structuring of monologues, scenes, one-act plays and, possibly, full-length plays. Emphasis is on particular limitations, possibilities and specific techniques of writing for the stage. Students may be given the opportunity to see their writing produced in workshops.
Credits: 3.00
MA 1581 On- Camera Performance I
An introduction to the practice and principles of on-camera performance for broadcast and moving image media. Students work on writing and creating characters, auditioning skills (commercial vs dramatic), teleprompter news reading, improvisation and scene study. Using closed-circuit television interactively, students see their work each class.
Credits: 3.00
MA 1582 On-Camera Production II
An intermediate workshop designed to expand upon the skills and knowledge gained in On-Camera Performance I. Emphasis is on cold reading, character creation, teleprompter reading and scene analysis.
Credits: 3.00
MA 1583 On-Camera Performance III
An advanced workshop designed to enable a small group to work collaboratively on mastery of techniques learned in MA 1582. Emphasis is on audition technique and creating monologues.
Credits: 3.00
MA 1601 Directing I
The study and practice of directing for the theatre, emphasizing play selection and analysis, casting, rehearsal procedure, and the relationship of the director to the actor. Students learn staging in different performance environments. (Same as MA 160.1.) Prerequisite: At least one Theatre course or permission of the instructor.
Credits: 3.00
TFT 100 Theatre History and Play Analysis
An orientation to the nature of theatre, students will examine the history of theatre and how to analyze play text including the five elements that make up the theatre: the playwright, the director, the actors, the designers, and the audience. Students will attend live performances and view videotaped performances to analyze the components that theatre is comprised of.
Credits: 3.00
TFT 120 Studio I - Acting, Voice and Movement
Rigorous training in voice, movement, and acting will take place in professional acting schools in New York City for six semesters.
Credits: 2.00
TFT 121 Studio II - Acting, Voice and Movement
Rigorous training in voice, movement, and acting will take place in professional acting schools in New York City for six semesters.
Credits: 2.00
TFT 122 Studio III - Acting, Voice and Movement
Rigorous training in voice, movement, and acting will take place in professional acting schools in New York City for six semesters.
Credits: 2.00
TFT 123 Studio IV - Acting, Voice and Movement
Rigorous training in voice, movement, and acting will take place in professional acting schools in New York City for six semesters.
Credits: 2.00
TFT 124 Studio V - Acting, Voice and Movement
Rigorous training in voice, movement, and acting will take place in professional acting schools in New York City for six semesters.
Credits: 2.00
TFT 125 Studio VI - Acting, Voice and Movement
Rigorous training in voice, movement, and acting will take place in professional acting schools in New York City for six semesters.
Credits: 1.00
TFT 130 The Contemporary Performance Industry
Students learn how to navigate the business side of the performance industry and market themselves as actors. They will learn how to prepare headshots, resumes, reels, develop websites, and how to build an online presence through social media. Furthermore, students will learn how to connect with industry professionals such as agents, managers, and casting directors and insure their information is in the proper industry databases.
Credits: 3.00
TFT 131 Business of Theatre, Film and Television
In this course, students are guided to approach the business as an 'actorpreneur' ready to develop self-created works or artistic ventures in collaboration with partners. Students begin to understand the process of generating creative `start-ups¿ and getting work out into the world to be recognized. Topics covered include pitching projects, accessing funding bodies, applying for grants, collaborating with the industry, promoting and producing independent theatre, and driving Film and TV projects.
Credits: 3.00
TFT 180 Performance in 21st Century Theatre and Media
Students study how live performance is shaped by the integration of digital technologies and how digital media is becoming more and more the platform of choice for streaming live performance. Through screenings, site visits and experimentation, student actors explore unconventional spaces and experiences that can be used for staging, composing, improvising and inventing new drama.
Credits: 3.00
TFT 190 Production Lab I
This course offers a wide range of practical experience in a theatre production, both on stage and backstage. Students who are cast in the play get credit in this course for their work. Students who want to work backstage are assigned to the following areas of production: technical and stage craft, such as set construction and painting, costumes, props, lighting; managerial, including box office, house and stage management, and advertising. Students, instructed by theatre professionals, are involved in each step of production, from the initial planning process through rehearsal and performance. Performers are required to work backstage to gain experience in technical theatre.
Credit: 1.00
TFT 191 Production Lab II
This course offers a wide range of practical experience in a theatre production, both on stage and backstage. Students who are cast in the play get credit in this course for their work. Students who want to work backstage are assigned to the following areas of production: technical and stage craft, such as set construction and painting, costumes, props, lighting; managerial, including box office, house and stage management, and advertising. Students, instructed by theatre professionals, are involved in each step of production, from the initial planning process through rehearsal and performance. Performers are required to work backstage to gain experience in technical theatre.
Credits: 1.00
TFT 192 Production III
This course offers a wide range of practical experience in a theatre production, both on stage and backstage. Students who are cast in the play get credit in this course for their work. Students who want to work backstage are assigned to the following areas of production: technical and stage craft, such as set construction and painting, costumes, props, lighting; managerial, including box office, house and stage management, and advertising. Students, instructed by theatre professionals, are involved in each step of production, from the initial planning process through rehearsal and performance. Performers are required to work backstage to gain experience in technical theatre.
Credits: 1.00
TFT 193 Production IV
This course offers a wide range of practical experience in a theatre production, both on stage and backstage. Students who are cast in the play get credit in this course for their work. Students who want to work backstage are assigned to the following areas of production: technical and stage craft, such as set construction and painting, costumes, props, lighting; managerial, including box office, house and stage management, and advertising. Students, instructed by theatre professionals, are involved in each step of production, from the initial planning process through rehearsal and performance. Performers are required to work backstage to gain experience in technical theatre.
Credits: 1.00
TFT 194 Production V
This course offers a wide range of practical experience in a theatre production, both on stage and backstage. Students who are cast in the play get credit in this course for their work. Students who want to work backstage are assigned to the following areas of production: technical and stage craft, such as set construction and painting, costumes, props, lighting; managerial, including box office, house and stage management, and advertising. Students, instructed by theatre professionals, are involved in each step of production, from the initial planning process through rehearsal and performance. Performers are required to work backstage to gain experience in technical theatre.
Credits: 1.00
TFT 195 Production Lab VI
This course offers a wide range of practical experience in a theatre production, both on stage and backstage. Students who are cast in the play get credit in this course for their work. Students who want to work backstage are assigned to the following areas of production: technical and stage craft, such as set construction and painting, costumes, props, lighting; managerial, including box office, house and stage management, and advertising. Students, instructed by theatre professionals, are involved in each step of production, from the initial planning process through rehearsal and performance. Performers are required to work backstage to gain experience in technical theatre.
Credits: 1.00
TFT 196 Production Lab VII
This course offers a wide range of practical experience in a theatre production, both on stage and backstage. Students who are cast in the play get credit in this course for their work. Students who want to work backstage are assigned to the following areas of production: technical and stage craft, such as set construction and painting, costumes, props, lighting; managerial, including box office, house and stage management, and advertising. Students, instructed by theatre professionals, are involved in each step of production, from the initial planning process through rehearsal and performance. Performers are required to work backstage to gain experience in technical theatre.
Credits: 1.00
TFT 197 Production Lab VIII
This course offers a wide range of practical experience in a theatre production, both on stage and backstage. Students who are cast in the play get credit in this course for their work. Students who want to work backstage are assigned to the following areas of production: technical and stage craft, such as set construction and painting, costumes, props, lighting; managerial, including box office, house and stage management, and advertising. Students, instructed by theatre professionals, are involved in each step of production, from the initial planning process through rehearsal and performance. Performers are required to work backstage to gain experience in technical theatre.
Credits: 1.00
TFT 199 Internship
This course provides students with an opportunity to gain field experience in theater, film, television and entertainment organizations. Examples of appropriate organizations are BAM, St. Ann¿s Warehouse, Mark Morris Dance Group, Creative Artist Agency, Dreamworks, FOX Studios, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Sony Pictures Studio.
Credits: 3.00
TFT 200 Capstone I
Students begin to create final projects in their chosen fields of theatre, film or television or any combination thereof. Mentors will guide students through the process of creating the outline for their projects so that by the end of the semester they are ready to go into production in Capstone II.
Credits: 3.00
TFT 220 Showcase
Students will perform monologues and scenes in front of a panel of invited industry casting directors.
Credits: 3.00
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