SCHOOL OF THEATER
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater, multiple concentrations
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theater degree prepares students for graduate study or entry into the profession through rigorous, concentrated, and individualized training.
All BFA students complete the theater core and are admitted into a chosen concentration to organize their advanced work within the major. Upon admission, BFA students will complete coursework in a specified area of emphasis through one of our five concentrations:
- Design for Stage and Screen
- Performance for Stage and Screen
- Musical Theater Performance
- Sound Engineering and Design
- Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12
George Mason University has one of the fastest growing Musical Theater programs in the area and the School of Theater faculty are the reason why. Two of them, Prof. James Gardiner and Prof. Erin Driscoll Gardiner, are also one of the area’s most talented theater couples, having graced the stages of Signature Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, and more. Several local performers started their careers at George Mason under the direction of James and Erin. James directed last Fall's student production hit, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 and both James and Erin are set to direct more gems in the Spring of 2026.
Admission to this program is a two-step process:
1) apply to George Mason University and
2) submit materials into the Slide Room portal for your audition/portfolio review.
If you are a current student at George Mason, you can begin with step two.