The UCLA Department of Theater's Interdisciplinary MFA Program in Playwriting welcomes adventurous students who look forward to intensive collaboration with their peers in acting and directing in their first year of graduate study.

In the first year of the new MFA programs in Playwriting, Acting and Directing, students will collectively study playwriting, acting, directing, voice and movement.

Collaborative projects in the first year include a series of original performance pieces and a One Act Festival developed collectively. After the first year of study, students will be frequently brought together for further collaborative projects with their peers in acting, directing and design. Additional play readings are generously supported by the Marianne Murphy Women & Philanthropy Award in Playwriting.

Playwriting faculty include successful writers whose work has been produced professionally across the country. In the first year MFA playwrights are expected to complete a One Act play, a full length play and to participate in the One Act Festival. In the second year, playwrights are expected to complete a second full length play, a One Person play, and an additional project such as a screenplay or an adaptation for the stage. The third year typically includes participation in the New Play Festival for full length plays, and an internship with a professional theater, film or television company or a comparable environment.

A. Background Courses:

•  205A Background of Theatrical Art, 4 units
• 205B Background of Theatrical Art, 4 units
• 205C Background of Theatrical Art, 4 units
• 232 Manuscript Analysis, 4 units

B. Core Courses:

•  230A Advanced Playwriting, 4 units
• 230B Advanced Playwriting, 4 units
• 230C Advanced Playwriting, 4 units
• 231 Special Topics in Playwriting, 4 units
• 430A Advanced Studies in Playwriting, 8 units
• 430B Advanced Studies in Playwriting, 8 units
• 430C Advanced Studies in Playwriting, 8 units
• 431 Special Topics in Playwriting, 4 units

C. Projects & Production:

•  C433A Script Development Workshop, 8 units
• C433B Script Development Workshop, 4 units
• C433C Script Development Workshop, 8 units
• C472 Production & Performance, 2 units

D. Internship:

•  498 Professional Internship in Theater, Film & Television, 8 units

 TOTAL REQUIRED UNITS: 94

E. Electives Additional adviser-approved courses may be arranged in consultation with each student to expand knowledge or experience in areas where additional work is deemed necessary or to allow exploration of fields of interest where qualified by prerequisite.

All Theater, Film and Television degree programs are full-time, day-time programs. The Theater graduate programs have day-time classes and evening production activities. The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television only accepts applicants for admittance for the Fall. The admissions information below is for Fall 2013.

The UCLA Department of Theater will not be participating in the U/RTA Auditions and Interviews for students applying for Fall 2013.

APPLICATION POSTMARK DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2012

Please complete all of the following steps:

Step 1: Online

• Complete the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.
• Indicate MFA as the degree, THEATER as the major, and PLAYWRITING as the area.
• Submit the Application and Pay the Application Fee by December 1, 2012.
• Upload UNOFFICAL copies of all TRANSCRIPTS to the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.
• Include all Undergraduate and Graduate institutions attended.
• NOTE: Community College transcripts are not necessary, as the coursework will be reflected on the undergraduate transcript.
• Submit Three LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.
• • Enter the Names and Emails of all recommenders into the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.
  • NOTE: If needed, letters can be submitted by mail.

Step 2: Online & Mail

• Complete the UCLA Graduate Theater Departmental Online Application.
• PRINT and MAIL the generated confirmation page from this application along with any mailed supplemental materials.
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• Upload and Mail the STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
• Compose a 1-2 page document giving the faculty a sense of who you are.
• Please address the following: Why are you interested in the program? What life experiences have contributed to you applying to TFT? What do you hope to achieve by participating in the program? What are your professional goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
• Upload and Mail a RESUME of training and experience in Theater or other related work.
• Upload and Mail TWO SAMPLES OF CREATIVE WRITING, at least one of which must be a full-length stage play.
• An interview may also be required

Step 3: Mail

• Mail an OFFICIAL copy of TRANSCRIPTS from all undergraduate institutions attended.
• NOTE: Community College transcripts are not necessary, as the coursework will be reflected on the undergraduate transcript.
• Please have transcripts sent to the address below or include them in sealed envelopes with the supplemental application packet.
• Request that all TEST SCORES be sent directly to UCLA.
• Only test scores taken by December 10, 2012 will be accepted.
• The UCLA Code is 4837 and the Theater Code is 2403.
• NOTE: THE GRE IS NOT REQUIRED FOR MFA APPLICANTS.

MAILING ADDRESS:

Please SEND all applicable materials to:

Graduate Theater Admissions
UCLA Department of Theater
103 East Melnitz Hall, Box 951622
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622

APPLICATION POSTMARK DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2012

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

English Proficiency: Any international applicant whose first language is not English must certify proficiency in English when applying to UCLA, and, if admitted, upon arrival. Such applicants must submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as part of their application. The UCLA Code is 4837 and the Theater Code is 2403. Only test scores taken by December 2012 will be accepted. For more information about this requirement, visit http://www.grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/ENGREQ.HTM

Academic Records: Although the UCLA Graduate Division Application enables applicants to upload an unofficial copy of their academic records, all applicants are required to submit official records from each academic institution attended. For more information about this requirement, visit http://www.grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/ACADRECS.HTM. Proof of Funding for Visa: U.S. immigration law requires that international applicants, if admitted, show documented evidence that sufficient funds to cover all tuition, fees, transportation, and living expenses are available for the first year of their studies at UCLA. This must be proved before a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS2019) for a visa can be issued. For more information about this requirement, visit http://www.grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/VISAPROC.HTM

For U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents interested in receiving financial aid, note that the Fellowship Application and Financial Aid Application (FAFSA) deadline for UCLA is March 2, 2013. Applicants must complete the FAFSA by this date if they want to be eligible for all awards, work-study, and fellowships that UCLA offers. Please visit the FAQ page for additional questions, call 310-206-8441, or e-mail theatergrad@tft.ucla.edu.