FAQ for Theater

Jump to: General Q&A, Graduate Q&A, or Audition/Interview Q&A

General Q&A

How do I apply for financial aid, awards and scholarships?

Entering students interested in scholarships should follow all instructions in the Scholarship section of the University of California Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships. Entering students qualify for need-based scholarships by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the FAFSA Renewal. Entering students can obtain FAFSAs from any school, college or university from January 1 through March 2. School awards and scholarships are distributed at the end of the academic year; our students submit a special application for these awards during Winter Quarter.

How do I apply for housing?

Admitted students will receive a housing application with their admission letter. You must return your statement of intent to register and the housing application by the published deadline. More information is available at UCLA Housing.

What are tuition costs?

The UCLA tuition and fee schedule can be found at UCLA Registrar’s Office: Fees. This site contains information for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as in and out of state residents.

What is the residence requirement?

For information on California residence requirements, visit UCLA Registrar’s Office: Residence for Tuition Purposes or contact the UCLA Residence Deputy (310-825-3447). You can also visit UCLA Registrar’s Office: Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes FAQ

May I attend part-time or in the evening?

Part-time study is not permitted for any degree programs in Theater at UCLA. The majority of our classes are taught during the day. UCLA Extension offers classes in theater, film, and television that are taught in the evening and on weekends. Their program, however, does not lead to a degree.

When are applicants notified?

Applicants are usually not notified until April. Please do not call the Department to check the status of your application. All applicants are notified by mail; we cannot give out information by telephone.

If denied admission, may I apply again the following year?

Yes. Students applying a second time are not given special consideration; they must compete with the new field of applicants.

Can I earn a second Bachelor’s degree at UCLA?

UCLA does not admit students for the purpose of earning a second Bachelor’s degree. Students with a Bachelor’s degree must apply to one of our graduate programs.

Do you offer tours of your production facilities?

Yes. Find out the details on our Tours page.

Do you offer summer programs in theater?

We offer a limited number of theater courses through UCLA Summer Sessions. We also offer a special summer program in performance in Italy and a six-week intensive summer program for high school students (310-794-8340).

How many students apply each year to the undergraduate programs in Theater?

1100

How many students do you accept each year to the undergraduate programs in Theater?

100

How many students apply each year to the graduate programs in Theater?

270

How many students do you accept each year to the graduate programs in Theater?

How may I obtain additional information?

Campus information: (310) 825-4321
Department of Theater admissions information hotline: (310) 825-8787

Graduate Q&A

How do I request an application to the graduate programs in Theater?

All application materials for the Theater graduate programs are available on the web. The application is available online for electronic submission at www.gdnet.ucla.edu and at www.tft.ucla.edu.

When is the application deadline for the Theater graduate programs?

The application deadlines vary depending on the department, the area of specialization, and degree program.

Does the School offer spring admissions for the Theater graduate programs?

No. Applications are only accepted for the fall quarter.

What are the application requirements for the Theater graduate programs?

There are specific requirements for each department, degree program, and area of specialization. The general application requirements can be found under admissions. For information about the admissions and program requirements for each degree program in the School, visit www.tft.ucla.edu/admissions/.

Does the department update the Graduate Division web site that designates which application materials have arrived for the different graduate programs?

No. Applicants will receive an e-mail notice from the department on the status of the application materials 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.

Does the departmental application for the Theater graduate programs need to be mailed to UCLA with all of the supplemental application materials?

No. The departmental application is available online for electronic submission, and does not need to be mailed to the department. If you are applying to an MFA program in Theater, please indicate which area you are applying to in your statement of purpose. The four MFA areas are as follows: Acting, Directing, Playwriting, and Design for Theater and Entertainment Media.

Can I apply to more than one department and degree program in your School?

No. Applicants may only apply to one department and one degree program within our School.

What is an appropriate length for my statement of purpose for the Theater graduate programs?

Ideally, the statement of purpose should not be over two pages. The statement can be single- or double-spaced.

What is the average GPA required of applicants to the Theater graduate programs?

All applicants must have at least a 3.0 grade-point average or the equivalent in work completed after the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program and in all post-baccalaureate course work.

Do I need to mail all of my application materials to the department in one envelope?

To expedite the process of reviewing your application, we prefer that all of your supplemental materials (statement of purpose, resume, letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.) be sent collectively in one envelope to our department. This is not mandatory though.

When can an applicant check to see if his/her application is complete?

An applicant may inquire on the status of his/her application materials after February 1st. The best way to check on the materials is by sending an e-mail to info@tft.ucla.edu.

When are admissions offers made to the applicants?

This varies by department and by degree. Typically, admissions offers are made by mid March.

I am applying to one of the MFA programs in Theater, and am unable to meet the application deadline. Can I still submit my application?

Applications and supporting materials received after the deadline will be considered, at the discretion of the Department. Consideration for fellowship and other financial support will depend on availability of funds and cannot be guaranteed for such applicants.

I applied for the MFA program in Costume Design and have submitted a portfolio. Will this be returned to me after the applications have been reviewed?

No. All application materials submitted in support of an application (including creative work, original or otherwise) will not be returned to the applicant, nor will the Department be held responsible for the materials.

I am applying to your MFA program in design. Do I also need to fill out a supplemental application, and if so, where can I find a copy?

Information regarding the application process for the MFA Scenic Design area is located on our website.

Should I submit my portfolio along with my application or bring it with me to my interview?

If you are asked to interview, it will be at this time when large design exhibits can be shown to demonstrate evidence of ability and creative work appropriate to your emphasis. You may bring the following: sketches, renderings, photographs, production books, plots, technical papers, reviews, or other appropriate exhibits.

How can I get more information about UCLA's MFA programs, such as the Design for Theater and Entertainment Media MFA?

All information regarding the MFA programs can be found on our website. This site includes the philosophy for the programs and the courses offered in each area.

Will UCLA be attending any of the University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA) sessions? If so, can you tell me which city or cities UCLA will be attending and for what area?

UCLA is a member of U/RTA and we will be attending the following U/RTA sessions:
Acting Auditions: New York, Chicago, and San Francisco
Design Interviews: New York and Chicago
Directing Interviews: New York and Chicago

Since UCLA is an active member of URTA, how do the deadline dates of the URTA auditions/interviews in early Jan-Feb relate to the application deadline in December for UCLA? Would an interested student apply to UCLA prior to the URTA auditions/interviews?

U/RTA applicants have permission to apply to UCLA past the deadline and should apply directly to UCLA after their U/RTA interview.

I am an applicant to the MFA Acting program, and am planning on attending one of the URTA auditions. Do I need to pay the $50 UCLA audition fee with my application, in addition to my $95 audition fee with URTA?

No. If you plan to audition through U/RTA, you will not schedule a private audition with UCLA.

Could you mail me a brochure and information packet about your program?

All information regarding the MFA Acting program is located on our website. We no longer mail hard copies to applicants.

I wish to apply to UCLA's MFA Acting program. Do you only accept applicants with an undergraduate theater degree?

If you have a BA or equivalent degree from any accredited University, you are eligible to audition/apply to our MFA Acting program. Your degree does not need to be in Theater or from UCLA.

I wish to apply to UCLA's MFA program and would like to visit your facilities, meet the faculty, and audit classes. Is this possible?

The department does not allow prospective students or the general public to sit in our classes. Our classes are open only to currently enrolled students or students who are newly admitted to the program. If you are admitted to the program, you will be invited for a campus visit, which includes auditing classes, meeting with faculty, and meeting with current students.

If you are planning to visit Los Angeles prior to your audition/interview, you may schedule a campus tour and a tour of the School. For more information, visit our Tours page.

I’m a foreign student who’s interested in the graduate program in Theater. Do you offer financial aid for international students?

The Theater Department offers several types of financial aid to both international and domestic students. This aid typically includes TAships, donor awards, stipends, various fellowships, and partial fee remissions. Details vary with the program and the applicant.

How long are the MFA programs?

UCLA’s MFA programs (in the area of Acting, Design, Directing, and Playwriting) are three years in length. Some students can finish our program in two years plus one quarter. UCLA is on the quarter system, versus the semester system, and each academic year is three quarters in length.

Do you offer teaching assistantships and other forms of financial support?

We do offer assistantships and recruitment funding to many MFA students, depending on their qualifications.

How soon do we declare our focus for the MFA program?

Students declare an emphasis at the time of their application to the program.

Is your program practice based or theory based?

The program trains artists, thus our program is about both theory and practice, but most important is the development of emerging artists.

What kinds of opportunities will I have to work on realized productions?

All MFA students are actively engaged in the production process on all levels. That said, we are a training program, as opposed to a producing program. There are more theaters in Los Angeles than any other city in the world, so we have no need to produce entertainment product. Our productions are selected and realized to foster student training — not to promote a season of plays. We do produce plays for the public, but we’re interested more in student training than in entertaining the public.

How active is the theater in your community?

Many of our current and former students work in the Los Angeles theater community. Theater faculty member Jose-Luis Valenzuela (and the Latino Theater Company) recently took control of the Los Angeles Theater Center, which has four theaters in Los Angeles. Some of our productions are presented at this Center.

We are also aligned with the Geffen Playhouse, which is a professional theater. The Producing Director is Gil Cates. Professor Cates is on the Theater faculty and is the most frequent producer of the Oscars for the Motion Picture Academy.

If you have additional questions about the application process, please contact our Graduate Counselor, Natasha Levy.

Audition Tour Q&A

Am I required to audition and interview for admission to the Theater major?

If your area of interest is acting or musical theater, you are required to audition. All other areas will complete the interview portion only.

Can I schedule my audition/interview before I apply to UCLA?

No. You must apply to the university first, then use your UC Application ID number to sign up for an audition/interview. Please note that you MUST put Theater as your FIRST CHOICE on your UC application in order to be considered for admission to the Theater major. You will receive your Application ID number immediately after submitting your online application and also in a confirmation letter sent to you by Undergraduate Admissions.

Do I need to schedule a separate time to attend the information session?

No. An information session is built into your audition/interview appointment time.

I’ve lost my UC Application ID – can I still sign up for an audition?

You can get your UC Application ID number from:

The Application Acknowledgement letter you received from the University of California Application Processing Service.
The UC Application Status site at https://www.ucapplication.net/ucap

Please visit our website at www.tft.ucla.edu/auditiontour after January 5, 2009 (with your UC application ID available) to schedule an audition/interview.

I can’t make it to any of the auditions – can I send a videotape?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept videotapes as a substitute for an in-person audition. Applicants must audition and/or interview at one of our audition/interview sites.

Can I audition for both acting and musical theater?

No. You must select one area of interest only.

Can I audition/interview for acting, design/production/stage management, directing, general studies, or playwriting at the Musical Theater auditions?

This may be possible in cases of emergency, but only if interview faculty for your area of interest are present on the day you wish to interview. You should contact the Department at audition@tft.ucla.edu or 310-206-4418.

Can I audition for Musical Theater in New York or San Francisco?

No. Applicants interested in musical theater must attend the musical theater auditions in either Los Angeles or Chicago.

Can I use my credit card or cash to pay the audition/interview fee?

No. Your audition/interview fee must be paid in the form of personal check, cashiers check, or money order, payable to "UC Regents". The non-refundable fee ($60 in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago; $30 in Los Angeles) is due at the time and place of your audition. DO NOT mail your check to the Department.

Should I plan on being at my scheduled audition/interview the whole day?

If you are auditioning for the Musical Theater sequence, you should plan on spending a maximum of 6 hours at your audition/interview appointment. All other applicants should plan on 4 hours.

Should I bring a photo and resume to my audition/interview?

Yes, please bring a non-returnable photo to your audition/interview. You should staple a resume to the photo.

Can I bring my required supplemental materials to my audition/interview instead of mailing them?

No. Materials should be mailed to the address given on the Required Supplemental Materials link and must be postmarked no later than January 30, 2009.

What should I wear to my audition/interview?

Applicants interested in acting and musical theater should wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement. Musical Theater applicants should bring appropriate dance clothes (including split sole jazz shoes) to change into for their dance audition. You will change back into your street clothes after your dance audition.

What if I am sick on the day of my audition/interview appointment?

Unless you are extremely ill, you should do your best to come to the audition/interview. We cannot schedule make-up auditions or interviews.

Can I bring props to my audition?

No. Props are strictly prohibited from auditions.

How important are the audition and interview to the admission process?

Both the audition and interview are extremely important and are the main criteria for analyzing your suitability for admission. The other criteria (GPA, SAT scores, etc.) are also very important and are examined by the admissions committee.

If I’m interested in design/production, directing, or playwriting, what materials should I bring to my interview?

Go to the audition information web page (www.tft.ucla.edu/auditiontour) and click on the appropriate link to see the specific requirements for your area of interest.

Can I bring a boombox or CD player to my singing audition?

No. A piano accompanist will be on site for all singing auditions. Applicants may not accompany themselves under any circumstances. Make sure you visit the audition information website (www.tft.ucla.edu/auditiontour) for more information on singing audition requirements.

Can I schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor for a counseling appointment or for a tour of the department?

Yes. Send an e-mail to info@tft.ucla.edu or call 310-206-8441 to schedule an appointment or tour.

When can I schedule my audition/interview?

After January 5, 2009. Visit the website at www.tft.ucla.edu/auditiontour to schedule your audition/interview.

Who can I call if I have problems signing up for an audition/interview?

You can call the audition hotline at 310.206.4418 or e-mail us at audition@tft.ucla.edu.

Revised: Fri Nov 20, 2009
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