Devised Performance/Physical Theatre
One of the first of its kind in the United States, our Devised Performance/Physical Theatre BFA concentration (DP/PT) offers innovative performance training developed for the next generation of theatre-makers – emerging multihyphenate artists seeking the opportunity to both create and perform. Devised students conceive, research, write, direct, choreograph, produce and act in new works and adapted scripted material. Visually stunning productions explore the intersection of theatre, film, music, and technology in the 21st century with highly athletic choreography, site- specific locations, voice acting, stage combat and more. This community-based training cultivates the highly marketable skills of emotional intelligence, collaboration, and leadership. Our rigorous, conservatory-style education culminates in career preparation and unique capstone project. DP/PT new works have travelled to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland, The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in Glendale, Arizona, and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Camarthen, Wales. Our 2026 Capstone destination is New York, NY.
For an immersive look at the Devised Performance program please visit HERE.
Congratulations to our cast, crew, designers and faculty mentors on their successful run of our Devised Performance/Physical Theatre program’s production of “Accidently On Purpose” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival! This original piece was the culmination of a year-long devising and performance process.
‘Tacos With a Fork’: Theatre Student Performed an Original Show at Grand Central Art Center
New theater program spotlights collaborative performance
Orange County Register: Thursday, November 17, 2022
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Grounded in rigorous training in acting, voice, speech, movement, playwriting, directing and design, Devised Performance/Physical Theatre BFA actors are challenged to create studio, main stage and multimedia projects that showcase ingenuity and flexibility. Students thrive in intersectional space - making meaningful connections between traditionally separate fields and disciplines, as they imagine and execute original live performances, films, podcasts, solo shows, voice-over for video games and animation, and stage combat.
Examples of this high-impact course integration:
Fall 2024: Modem Operandi, developed in advanced studio course work, performed at the 2024 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Glendale, Arizona. Students also led a workshop in devising techniques.
Summer 2024: Accidently on Purpose showcased students’ work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Spring 2024: Solo show, Tacos with a Fork, written by BFA Devised student, Christian De La Torre, debuted at CSUF’s Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana.
2023: Site-specific production of María Irene Fornés' play, Fefu and Her Friends, innovatively staged at CSUF's Golleher Alumni House with patronage support from former President Fram Virjee and his wife, Julie.
2022: Main Stage production of She Kills Monsters, with cross-disciplinary collaboration with the Department of Visual Arts (Graphic Design and Immersive Media).
2021: Main Stage production of Within Reach, a collaboration between the Department of Theatre and Dance and the School of Music, with a unique six-week professional guest artist residency in aerial choreography.
2020: Beyond the Square podcast, the student created six-episode series exploring life off camera during COVID, partnered with Titan Radio. The series was broadcast internationally via iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher.
Unique partnerships, guest artist residencies and grant funding offer the potential for domestic and international performances, showcases, and professional networking opportunities. CSUF has hosted Tectonic Theatre Project, Frantic Assembly, Not Man Apart, and Bossy Flyer. PUSH Physical Theatre will be in residence in January 2026.
Our Devised Performance/Physical Theatre program is one of three Theatre B.F.A (Bachelor of Fine Arts) concentrations offered here at CSUF alongside a B.F.A in Acting and B.F.A in Musical Theatre. CSUF is also home to a diverse and thriving Bachelors of Arts in Theatre.
AUDITION INFORMATION
Audition information
for new students.
CORE CURRICULUM
Innovative training that enhances traditional actor training, to include the demands of new styles of storytelling in the 21st century.
ROADMAPS
Roadmaps may be accessed
here
.
LIMITED ENROLLMENT
Our Devised Performance/Physical Theatre program requires an in-person audition consisting of acting, physical movement, improvisation and collaboration We select up to twelve (12) students for each incoming class. This is a performance-based degree, although some may develop additional interests in writing, directing or design.
Transfer students may be placed in either our 2nd Year or 3rd Year cohorts, depending on skill level and/or current cohort enrollment.
Students who are not invited into our Devised Performance/Physical Theatre program may be considered for the Musical Theatre and/or Acting BFA concentrations. Candidates who are not accepted into any of the three BFA programs may be offered placement in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre---which may include elective courses in acting, physical theatre, musical theatre, directing, playwriting, design/production, theatre education, and/or applied studies, based on the student’s individual interests.
STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO
Students in Devised Performance/Physical Theatre can expect varying student/faculty ratios based on subject matter and optimal learning conditions. Most performance/studio classes boast an average 12:1 student faculty ratio.
Our CSUF Department of Theatre & Dance faculty consists of award-winning professional actors, directors, musicians, choreographers, dancers and designers with careers ranging from Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, regional theatre, film, television, commercials and voiceovers. You will study under professionals who walked the very path you intend to walk, and who are eager to share their knowledge and expertise with you.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
The CSUF Department of Theatre & Dance features eight (8) main stage productions per year – two plays, two musicals, two devised works and two dance productions. Devised Performance/Physical Theatre BFA students are required to be cast in at least two (2) main stage productions throughout their 4-year matriculation
Devised Performance/Physical Theatre students are eligible for casting beginning their first semester in residence.
In addition to main stage productions, CSUF also offers minimally produced “DP/PT’s Supported Projects”, “Studio Series” productions, student-directed projects, new works (readings, labs and workshop productions), classroom performances/presentations, and student directed films.
CAPSTONE PROJECTS
The Devised Performance/Physical Theatre BFA concentration culminates in a capstone production. These special projects may involve guest playwrights, collaborations with professional companies, or cross college partnerships. Development begins in the 3rd year of study. This new work is featured in our main stage Spring production season. In many cases, grant funding has supported additional off campus performances and professional networking opportunities, both domestically and internationally. Grant funding frequently covers most of the students’ travel and accommodation costs. A minimum grade of a “B” (3.0) is expected in all BFA performance courses to be eligible for casting and to participate in a capstone.
AFTER GRADUATION
Our Devised Performance/Physical Theatre training significantly increases our students’ marketable skills and employment opportunities after graduation:
- A rapidly changing entertainment industry necessitates a constant need for original content and new talent. Devised performers are trained to conceive, produce, direct and perform their own material and thrive in this marketplace.
- In addition to traditional avenues for actors in film, television and commercials, many alumni pursue emerging platforms to showcase their work, such asnational and international fringe festivals, webisodes, podcasts, video games, voice acting, animation, social media and filmed theatre.
- Increasingly, professional theatres include many productions with devised aesthetics in their seasons.
- The modern workplace is characterized by collaboration, teamwork, improvisation, innovation and creativity. Effective leadership requires astute levels of emotional intelligence. Devised Performance students cultivate these skills as they shift from leader to follower, learning to integrate multiple initiatives, think on their feet, structure ideas, tactfully articulate feedback and respectfully disagree. These skills increase marketability and employment opportunities across a spectrum of entertainment and non-entertainment industries.
- Our training supports an industry-wide call for more diverse directors, writers, producers, actors, choreographers and artistic directors.
- The highly collaborative nature of devised work creates a strong sense of community, comradery and friendship amongst practitioners across disciplines that will sustain them professionally beyond CSUF.
GENERAL FAQ’S
Q: Do you do video auditions?
A: No. Our Devised Performance/Physical Theatre program holds in person, 50-minute group auditions here on campus at CSUF. This has proven a very effective way to assess an applicant’s potential for success in our program. There’s nothing to prepare. Just be game, ready to play, and sweat. Over those 50-minutes, DP/PT faculty and student mentors will put you through a series of exercises that offer us a sense of how you collaborate, your creativity, and your physical expression. As one applicant recently put it, “That didn’t feel like an audition at all. That was so much fun!”
Q: Does CSUF offer merit-based scholarships or work-study programs?
A: Due to the highly competitive price of CSUF’s tuition (one of the lowest tuition prices in the country), merit-scholarships for incoming DP/PT students are rare. Limited merit-scholarships are available through the Department of Theatre and Dance. The deadline for these annual scholarships is typically in early March and may be accessed using the CSUF student portal.
The Theatre BFA (all concentrations) at CSUF is also a partner of the Disney Aspire Program, which allows part-time Disney employees the opportunity to have 100% of tuition costs paid for. Disney employees should contact the Aspire Program (https://disney.guildeducation.com/partner) for more details.
There are also need-based scholarships and work-study programs available to all CSUF students. Visit the CSUF Financial Aid website (https://www.fullerton.edu/financialaid/) for more details.
Q: Is there a “cut” system at CSUF?
A: We are not a “cut” program. Individual Learning Plans track student progress and target areas of recommended growth and/or improvement. These are revisited and updated at the end of each semester. Once you are accepted into the BFA in Devised Performance/Physical Theatre, it is our commitment to train and support you for as long as you wish to study with us. However, a minimum “C” (2.0) grade is required for all courses applied to the BFA, and a minimum of “B” (3.0) is expected in all performance courses applied to the BFA. Falling below a “B” in multiple performance courses (and/or across multiple semesters) is considered “underperforming” and may impact casting eligibility and capstone participation. Students who are at risk of falling below grade and/or casting eligibility thresholds are required to advise with the degree’s Area Coordinator and/or Department Chair to support their successful graduation from the program.
Q: Is there a deadline to accept my Devised Performance/Physical Theatre BFA placement offer?
A: Yes. BFA placement offers typically go out via email in early March. The deadline to accept this placement offer is May 15. Students who have not responded to their placement offers by this deadline will be offered placement in the Theatre BA program. Their seat in the BFA program will be considered vacated.
