The Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Acting Performance is a 15-month program designed to meet the needs of students who wish to become professional actors. Upon completion of the 71.0 credit hour program, the graduate may expect to possess skills enabling him/her to compete in a professional environment in theatre, television and film.
PROGRAM CHAIR:
SHELLY BRANDON
Shelly is an award-winning filmmaker whose background includes a BFA in Theatre Performance from Eastern New Mexico University, one year of MFA graduate studies in Acting Performance at DePaul University’s The Theatre School, and an MFA in Cinematic Arts from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has experience as a producer, writer and director and has served as an on set acting coach as well as script consultant for several Indie films and production companies in Utah. She served as Vice President of the Utah Women in Film and Television organization while living in Salt Lake City. She has had adjunct teaching positions at UTA and KD Conservatory, and conducted invitational improvisation and scene study workshops for independent acting studios.
Program Overview
Upon successful completion of the Acting Performance program, graduates may expect to possess skills enabling them to compete in the theatre, television, and film industry. The Acting program gives students an opportunity to work in an intensive, exploratory environment under the guidance of working professionals in the entertainment industry.
The primary aim of the Acting Performance program is to aid the student in developing a working methodology of character development while preparing them for the demands of the professional arena. The first semester focuses on exploring the practical and theoretical use of the body and mind as instruments for performance through intense movement, voice, and acting classes. The second semester is geared toward further developing strong emotional connections to characters through scene study and intensive on-camera training. In the third semester, students work on strengthening their listening and reacting skills, as well as identifying and developing the sub-text of a script in order to create multi-dimensional characters.
During the fourth semester, the curriculum concentrates on refining the skills students have acquired during the previous semesters while expanding their knowledge of the professional world as they prepare for an Industry Showcase for an invited audience of agents, casting directors, theatre and film directors, choreographers, producers and theatre owners — an introduction to the start of your professional career and building your network.
Instructors
Our instructors are selected on the basis of their professional experience and educational achievement. In order to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, we seek instructors from those sectors of the entertainment industry which closely relate to the subject area being taught.
