About the Acting MFA

The Theater Department at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television will be releasing news in Summer 2010 of a new paradigm for graduate actor training and performance projects in theater and film. Applications will be available beginning next fall for classes that will start in Fall 2011.

For this reason, we will not be accepting applications to our MFA Program in Acting for 2010.

The Master of Fine Arts in Acting program at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television is a comprehensive three-year course of study that prepares actors to work professionally in all mediums, genres and styles of performance.

Designed to be eclectic, the program encourages each actor to discover methods of working best suited to his or her individual talents. The essence of this training is achieved organically through classroom study, studio work and autobiographical exercises in a small, highly individualized and collaborative setting.

At UCLA, practical experience is paramount. Students complete a variety of performance projects, including a full repertory season, a touring company production, and the opportunity to act in a professionally written and directed film. Produced by the Theater department, this film is a unique aspect of UCLA's program, which provides students with practical camera experience both in a studio and on location.

With excellence being the minimum standard for success in the field, UCLA's MFA program in Acting draws on the vast resources of Los Angeles and its accomplished professional faculty to offer a rigorous course of study to a select body of students. The program is taught by permanent faculty, adjunct professors and professional actors and directors. Students are chosen from candidates who have passed an audition by showing promise, talent and dedication for the work. The program is full-time and the students are fully committed to all classes, workshops and performance projects.

The program is rigorous, intensive and demanding. Consistent progress and achievement are required of our students, whose principle aim is to become professional actors. The aim of the program is to explore their use of self, their imagination, body and voice and to develop their skills in reading and responding to text---which is why both text analysis and theatre history are required components of the training. The overall design is based on how the actor acquires a process, or a way of working. And of course this is largely personal: each actor takes what he or she can.

The essential spirit of the UCLA acting program is based on eclecticism, various points of view and multiplicity of experience. We do not profess to be disciples of any one method or system of acting. Each actor learns how to become their own best teacher, a skill that will become increasingly valuable as their career evolves.

Degree Requirements

Students are required to enroll in a minimum of twelve units per quarter. Required courses will be scheduled to permit completion of the program within a three-year period. In addition to the successful completion of a minimum of 94 units or 23.5 courses, candidates for the degree must pass a comprehensive examination, including critical evaluation of production projects which culminate in a manner to show professional competence in the field.

A minimum of 82 units or 20.5 courses at the graduate level are required. A maximum of 12 undergraduate units may be counted toward the degree. A maximum of 12 units of 596 courses may be counted toward the degree.

The Master of Fine Arts degree is awarded on the basis of successful completion of the required courses and critical evaluation of student work. The Department expects consistent progress as well as attainment of professional skills. These and other factors will also influence the Department’s allocation of production resources including the number, scale, and scheduling of projects and productions.

205ABC

Background of Theatrical Art

420ABC

Advanced Acting I

421ABC

Advanced Acting II

422

Advanced Acting for Theater, Film and Television

424ABC

Advanced Voice and Speech I

424DEF

Advanced Voice and Speech II

425ABC

Advanced Movement I

425DEF

Advanced Movement II

C472

Production and Performance Laboratory