At Azusa Pacific University, under the guidance of Jill Brennan-Lincoln, MA, chair of the Theater Arts Department, students are prepared for the constantly evolving acting industry. The Acting for the Stage and Screen program equips students with tools to keep up with film opportunities while delivering authentic performances. Through practical internships and a distinguished professional industry showcase, this program fully equips students for a successful career and empowers them to be a positive force within the industry.
Students are trained by working professionals and have the opportunity to work with directors and producers who are actively involved in the industry. Because APU is so close to the film industry in Hollywood, students are provided with a unique opportunity to work with professionals as undergraduates. “Whether that is using professional writers, actors, directors as adjuncts, guest directors or full-time faculty, everyone in our department has been involved or is still actively working in the industry,” Lincoln said. This prepares students for the industry following graduation. “I appreciated that professors were realistic with how difficult and competitive the industry can be outside of the program,” said Hannah Sulak ’15. “There is a level of vigor and pursuit necessary to succeed in the program itself but also outside of APU in the professional world.”
Through movement and voice classes, students learn to be grounded in who they are, before tackling a character or a scene. “Being able to become grounded in your work with Kirsten Humer, MFA, was groundbreaking. In every class, I learned that I was standing or breathing incorrectly and she taught us how to do it right,” said Avery Marston ’27. “There is no shame in the instruction. You learn what your voice really sounds like, how to breathe fully, and how to stand fully. It fully transformed me as an actor.” The program teaches students how to explore a character without judgement, learning how to tell a story in the most honest way possible. “APU’s acting program instilled me with such a beautiful response to all kinds of characters because it allowed me to, as a Christian, discover the character's journey and what light is missing that led that character down their path, helping me to fully play the character,” said Aria Rayes ’25.
The Acting for the Stage and Screen program provides a rigorous curriculum and many opportunities to enter the acting industry prepared for the profession. “Upon completing our program, students are equipped with the strategic advantages crucial for navigating the complexities of the industry,” Lincoln said. “This includes a professional reel that is excellently directed, written, and shot by working professionals to ensure our graduating seniors are empowered to seamlessly transition and immediately contribute to the industry.”
With an equal emphasis on screen and stage acting, graduates will enter the industry with the ability to adapt to any project they join. Lincoln brings in her experience from acting on national tours and on-screen.
The ability to move from the stage to the screen allows APU students to book commercials, shows, and plays, making them valuable assets for agents and the industry as a whole.
Seniors are able to showcase their talents at the annual Industry Spotlight, held at the legendary Warner Bros. Studio at the end of the academic year. Agents, casting directors and big names in the industry are all in attendance, looking for students to sign. “This showcase encompasses both the onscreen work of our actors, and a live performance. Our goal is to bring in significant industry representatives to scout our talent,” Lincoln said. This year, every student in the BFA in Acting class of 2025 secured talent representation following their Warner Bros. Industry Spotlight. “Azusa Pacific's Theater Arts program deserves to be discovered by talent reps, casting directors, producers and others,” said Mark Scroggs, vice president of LB Talent. “The school's annual showcase shows the grads' talents, both in person and on film. APU should be on your radar!”
As a Christian theater department, APU integrates faith and the arts. “God uses stories to examine humanity, revealing our need for him through both redeemed and unredeemed lives,” Lincoln said. This not only applies to the faculty but to the student experience as well.
When I am on stage performing, that is my form of worship. Before every single show we warm up and then we pray. Every show it feels like God’s hand is over it and I know that our teachers are guiding us to be a light in the industry.Avery Martson '27
“They are preparing us not only with the techniques that we are using but by keeping God as the guide for our acting and futures in the industry.” The emphasis on grounding the student’s identity in Christ helps them perform in profoundly honest ways. “Having your foundation in Christ allows you to know from the very beginning who you are, which allows you to become a vessel for a character,” said Efaobasi Ekpe ’26. “You can play many roles and honestly tell those stories without compromising who God has called you to be.”
APU’s acting program helps students grow as people. Students become well-rounded individuals, prepared for diverse career paths. “Our students are excelling all over the industry and beyond. They are in all kinds of jobs,” Lincoln said. “We want that.This is the program's goal, the essence of storytelling offers preparations for any professional endeavor. It is humanity. It’s giving, serving, communicating for God and making a difference in people’s lives.” Students learn how to communicate with coworkers and be better listeners in their personal lives. “I have learned to listen and take in the world around me and incorporate that into my acting. I have learned to be a team player and collaborate with others,” said Kristina Clark ’26.
The mentorship of the professors, the intention behind the learning done in the classroom and the welcoming environment of the Acting for the Screen and Stage program helps it stand out among acting programs. Students learn valuable skills that apply not only to their acting career but their personal lives. “If you are looking for a place that gives spiritual guidance through industry, and a place to faithfully question how acting and spirituality work together, APU is the place for it. Faculty teach techniques from around the world and they teach you that you need an identity in Christ to succeed,” Rayes said. “This is the place to be if you are a faith based actor and are looking for a community that is going to support you.”