University degrees: Postgraduate
Course length: 2 years
Course city: Los Angeles
The UCLA Department of Theater’s Playwriting program welcomes adventurous students who look forward to intensive collaboration with their peers in acting and directing.
In the first year, Playwriting, Acting and Directing students will collectively study playwriting, acting, directing, voice and movement. Collaborative projects include a series of original performance pieces and a One Act Festival. After the first year of study, students will be frequently brought together for further collaborative projects with their peers in acting, directing and design. The Marianne Murphy Women & Philanthropy Award in Playwriting generously supports additional play readings.
Playwrights in the Theater MFA program are expected to complete a one-act play, a full-length play and to participate in the One Act Festival during their first year. In the second year, they will 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 comparable environment.
Playwriting faculty includes successful writers whose work has been produced professionally across the country.
A. Background Courses
Total: 16 units
B. Core Courses
Total: 48 units
C. Projects & Production
Total: 22 units
D. Internship
Total: 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.
