Students and parents who visit the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film, and Television website yesterday were shocked to find the following message:

“NEWSFLASH! The School of Theatre, Film & Television will not be accepting applications for the 2023/2024 academic year for the BFA in Acting/Music Theatre, or the BFA/MFA programs in Design & Technical Production. The School is accepting applications for the 2023/2024 academic year for the BA in Theatre, the BA in Film Studies and the BFA in Film Production.”

Hank Stratton, Head of Acting and Musical Theatre at the University of Arizona, has confirmed that in a meeting with the Dean on Friday afternoon, the decision was made to temporarily suspend all remaining recruitment efforts and events for the year.

In a phone call on Sunday morning, Hank said “in order to allow a year to innovate curriculum, we have been asked to put a hold on new applications for the 2023/2024 year. There will be very clear messaging coming out from administration in regards to refunding application fees for students who have already submitted.”

To clarify, this decision does not affect any of the students currently enrolled in these programs, and the university is only suspending new applications for the incoming class beginning in the fall of 2023.

We will be updating this post with any new information as it becomes available.