United States

University of California – Los Angeles

M.F.A. in Theater with specializations in Acting

University degrees: Postgraduate

Course length: 2 years full-time

Course city: Los Angeles

We are seeking bold, adventurous artists eager to collaborate in an innovative acting curriculum for the theater of the future.

There are six key elements of the M.F.A. acting program at UCLA TFT:

    • The study of classical and contemporary acting for theater, film, television and digital media: During the eight quarters of acting classes, at least four classes will focus on acting for the camera, microphone and motion capture.

 

    • A highly physicalized approach to time-honored theater conservatory courses in voice, speech and movement, including, but not limited to, recurring training in the Suzuki and Viewpoints methods.

 

    • The promotion of the collaborative ensemble: In their first year of the M.F.A., acting students collectively study acting, voice, movement, directing and playwriting. In subsequent quarters, students are encouraged to collaborate and acquire skills to reimagine the theater and film ensembles of the future.

 

    • The study of film and theater history drawn from the extraordinary resources of the UCLA Film & Television Archive and the Theater Special Collections.

 

    • The “actor-producer”: Actors will learn to “capture” their collaborations not only on the stage, but also on film and with other contemporary technologies. Actors will also be able to take elective courses in producing and the business of new media platforms in order to learn how to develop their own projects.

 

  • Central to the actor training is the participation in performance as part of the annual UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television production season: Projects include performances of classical and contemporary plays, film and television projects, and new student-generated work.

Required Courses

  • 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
  • 472: Production Practice in Theater, Film, Video and Digital Media

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.

The Theater M.F.A. in Acting is a three year program taught by nationally recognized teachers of acting, voice, speech, movement, and dance, as well as professional directors in theater, film and television. The training combines classroom study with intensive studio training and is eclectic and not rooted in any one methodology or dogma. The goal of the training is to help each actor find the methods of working best suited to his or her individual talents and to give actors the opportunity to acquire the skills and techniques needed for working in all kinds of theater, all styles and genres of plays, and in front of the camera in television and film. Practical production experience is an integral part of the training during the entire three years; in the final year, students present an actor’s showcase for the entertainment community in Los Angeles.

Programs, Courses, Workshops