By Alex Greenwood,
                                                									July 23, 2024
                                             
                                             
                                              
                                              
                                             The University of Central Missouri (UCM) and State Fair Community College (SFCC) are
                                                acting together to offer students a seamless path to earning a Theatre degree.
                                             
                                              
                                             
                                             UCM and SFCC announced new articulation agreements that will allow students enrolled
                                                in SFCC’s Associate of Fine Art (AFA) in Theatre programs to seamlessly transfer to
                                                UCM’s Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre programs.
                                             
                                              
                                             
                                             The newly established agreements include the following pathways:
                                             
                                             
                                                
                                                -  SFCC degree program: Associate of Fine Art in Musical Theatre to UCM degree program:
                                                   Bachelor of Fine Art in Theatre
 
                                                
                                                -  SFCC degree program: Associate of Fine Art in Theatre to UCM degree program: Bachelor
                                                   of Fine Art in Theatre
 
                                                
                                                -  SFCC degree program: Associate of Fine Art in Theatre to UCM degree program: Bachelor
                                                   of Arts in Theatre
 
                                                
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             These pathways are ideally suited for students interested in pursuing careers in various
                                                theatre-related fields, including acting, directing, design/technology, musical theatre
                                                and theatre management. The BA Theatre program at UCM does not have any additional
                                                admissions requirements, while the BFA Theatre program requires an additional audition
                                                or interview for acceptance.
                                             
                                              
                                             
                                             These agreements will enable students to smoothly transition from SFCC’s AFA Theatre
                                                programs to UCM’s BA and BFA Theatre programs, ensuring that the transfer process
                                                is seamless, easily accessible and transfer friendly. This formalized partnership
                                                strengthens the already robust collaborative relationship between UCM and SFCC, offering students a clear path to complete their bachelor’s
                                                degree in theatre.
                                             
                                              
                                             
                                             
                                                
                                                “Creativity, talent and imagination are traits shared by theatre students at State
                                                   Fair Community College and the University of Central Missouri. SFCC is proud to partner
                                                   with UCM to develop a formal agreement to ensure a smooth, guaranteed transition for
                                                   students pursuing a four-year degree in Theatre,” said Michael R. Murders, vice president
                                                   of academics and student success at SFCC.
                                                
                                             
                                             He added, “The SFCC program provides a great foundation in both the technical and
                                                performance areas of theatre, and the UCM program maintains the reputation of offering
                                                an extensive experiential theater education, preparing students for a multitude of
                                                careers in the performing arts. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to provide
                                                students with a clear, guided pathway to achieve their academic and career goals in
                                                the performing arts."
                                             
                                              
                                             
                                             Ashley Miller-Scully, division chair, theatre & dance at UCM, sees the potential for
                                                creative collaboration as an added value to the agreement.
                                             
                                              
                                             
                                             
                                                
                                                "We are thrilled to assist students in the completion of their bachelor’s degree in
                                                   theatre by formalizing our partnership with SFCC in this way," said Miller-Scully.
                                                   "It is important for the transfer process to a four-year institution to be seamless
                                                   and accessible, allowing students to further their education and expand their career
                                                   opportunities. We believe our SFCC transfer students will find UCM to be a very welcoming
                                                   community ready to support them every step of the way. We have even begun discussions
                                                   about the possibility of producing a joint production between the two institutions
                                                   in the future."
                                                
                                             
                                             To learn more, contact Ashley Miller-Scully at UCM, or contact  at SFCC.