About the Directing Specialization

The Directing emphasis is open to freshman applicants for the fall term only and is open to junior-level applicants during odd numbered fall terms only (e.g., 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017).

The directing classes at UCLA do not have any one particular philosophical focus — rather, a series of technique and ideas are taught. The objective is for a director to be able to find what works best for him/her or what works best for a particular production.

The UCLA Theater program is not a training conservatory and is not for the student who is eager to begin working professionally right away. For those persons we recommend one of the acclaimed BFA conservatory training programs found across the country. The UCLA Theater program is for the student who sees him/herself as a scholar/artist — one who is eager to learn and wants a great university education from one of the world's major research institutions. Roughly half of the student's classes are in subjects other than theater. This education will prepare the graduate to be an informed citizen of an increasingly complex world, an original and critical thinker, as well as providing one of the best theater educations offered in the country.

The undergraduate directing specialization is a six-quarter sequence of classes. However, the directing specialization student is guaranteed only the first two introductory directing classes – Theater 15: Introduction to Directing, and Theater 160: Fundamentals of Play Direction. (It is possible, in certain cases, that some junior-transfer students may skip these first two introductory courses).

Students interested in continuing beyond the first two courses (which usually begin in the winter quarter of the first year) are able to apply for admission into the four-quarter directing continuum. Admission to the first three quarters of this advanced intensive training sequence is by interview and analysis of the work done in the first two courses. Space is limited. Directing students who are denied admission to the directing continuum may change their specialization or elect not to have one. In this situation the student would still graduate with a degree in Theater (providing that s/he completes the degree requirements), but without a specialization.

Admission to the fourth quarter of the continuum (directing a short play) is by interview and analysis of the work done in the previous three quarters of the continuum. Spaces in the fourth quarter are limited.

Students admitted to the major in the directing specialization are not guaranteed a place in the directing classes each quarter. All specialization classes require instructor consent to enroll. The faculty may elect to not continue a student in the specialization at any time. This could be due to poor performance or poor citizenship (excessive absences, not working up to the standards of the class, poor grades in the class, etc.). In this situation the student would no longer have a specialization but would still graduate on time with a degree in Theater.

Like all other theater undergraduate specializations, directing is not a "major." All undergraduates in the theater program are Theater majors and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater.

All Theater undergraduate students (from any specialization) may audition for most departmental undergraduate productions.

Please note that students in the UCLA Theater department cannot transfer to UCLA's Film/Television/Digital Media department at any time during their four years here, nor can they change from their specialization into the acting or musical theater specializations.