The Colorado Film School has developed one of the few programs in the world to offer a BFA degree in acting for the screen.
Colorado Film School’s BFA in Film Acting is one of the few programs in the world to offer a degree program specifically designed to teach acting for the screen. It is the mission of the Acting Program at CFS to help actors discover their full potential as professionals, as well as help them develop strength and creativity as individuals.
The program is integrated into the film and video production program for the school. "We have about 400 production students who need trained actors each semester" says Frederic Lahey, the Director of CFS, "so it only makes sense that directors and actors can benefit from each other".
Using techniques from Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov, Stella Adler and Kristin Linklater, students will explore many tools for honing and enriching their craft. The approach of the acting faculty at the Colorado Film School encourages students to discover each character within themselves, bringing honesty and specificity to each moment. The program also focuses on methods that train actors to emerge from each character safely and to work as strong members of any ensemble.
“Students who complete the program will understand the Stanislavski system and techniques, they'll understand how film works, and they'll have a professional acting portfolio to begin auditioning in the industry," Lahey says. "They'll be equipped to work on any film or television set in the world."
Acting Faculty
Galina Boulgakova, MFA, Head of Acting
Galina holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the famous Moscow Art Theatre in Russia. Galina is a highly skilled practitioner and instructor of the renowned Stanislavski system of acting and has developed unique styles and methods specifically for film acting by focusing on the essence of performance. She teaches a combination of methods derived from the great contemporary teachers grounded in the belief that actors must be truly psychologically safe to be successful in the industry today.
Margaret Norwood, MFA
Margaret holds an MFA in Acting from Western Illinois University as well as a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music and Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Hastings College. Her New York and DC acting credits include leading roles in Shakespeare, Greek tragedies, dramatic and experimental works from new playwrights, comic and dramatic roles on the screen, and many professional singing engagements. Margaret teaches practical application of acting craft, focusing on specificity and awareness to free the actor’s mind and body to perform complex characters with ease and sophistication.
Dirk Olson
Dirk Olson is an award-winning director-producer. He has been a faculty member of the National Theatre Conservatory for more than twenty years--teaching techniques of film and television acting and production within the Conservatory's MFA training program.
In addition to instructing graduate acting students, he is also experienced with training aspiring undergrad and adult actors. His early stage experience focused on comedy and improvisation.
He has directed and or produced programming for PBS, BBC, Bravo, A&E, HDNet and other outlets. The breadth of this work encompasses entertainment specials, documentaries, narrative and commercials. He has garnered awards including CINE Golden Eagles, Tellys, Worldfests, The NY Festivals, PRSA, Gold Camera, Cable Ace and regional Emmys.
Dirk Olson is the chairperson of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences-Heartland Chapter Program Committee. As an instructor, he offers a lifetime of working experience and knowledge to students willing to work diligently to develop their craft.
Aaron Burns
Aaron Burns graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan, where he also studied Acting and Directing at the Residential College. In Chicago, he studied on-camera acting at Sarantos Studios and the Meisner Technique at The Actors Center.
His theatre credits include roles from Synge, Friel, Shakespeare, O'Neill, Shaffer and Miller. He has appeared in numerous commercials, industrials and PSA's. His voiceover work has been heard regionally and nationally.
Stacey D'Angleo
Stacey D'Angelo currently serves as director of theatre at the Community College of Aurora and has been with the college since 2008. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College in upstate, New York and an MFA in Contemporary Performance from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado where she studied the unique techniques of Moment Work with Moises Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski and Tectonic Theatre Project; Viewpoints; Roy Hart Vocal Technique and Grotowski Physical Acting. She is active in the Denver theatre community and works in original ensemble theatre creation. Stacey is passionate about leading the CCA Theatre program in creating exciting and relevant new theatre.
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