Project 5 - Graduate School

University of Iowa / Iowa Summer Repertory - Alan MacVey, Chair DEGREE

PROGRAMS: MFA degrees in Acting, Directing, Design, (costume, lighting, and scenery), Dramaturgy, Stage Management, and Playwriting.

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree from a Regionally Accredited American college or university, and a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00, or the foreign equivalent as determined by the Office of Admissions.

Estimated Total living expenses - $36,987 for nonresidents.
Iowa Arts Fellowships - Each year the Theatre Arts Department offers an Iowa Arts Fellowship to four incoming students. These fellowships provide full tuition, fees and health benefits for three years, as well as an $18,000 stipend in the first year, and an $9,000 stipend in the second and third year.

University of California - Los Angeles

Program: MFA Acting, Design, Directing, Animation, Cinematography, Screenwriting, etc...

Courses: Background of Theatrical Art
Advanced Acting I
Advanced Acting II
Advanced Acting for Theater, Film and Television
Advanced Voice and Speech I
Advanced Voice and Speech II
Advanced Movement I
Advanced Movement II
Production and Performance Laboratory

An audition is required of all acting applicants. Auditions are scheduled online. Applicants will be directed to the online audition scheduling page after submitting the Departmental Application. The audition with theater faculty will consist of two monologues: one classical, one contemporary, not more than one-and-a-half minutes each.

The general requirement for admission for a U.S. student is a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, comparable in standard and content to a bachelor's degree from the University of California. A scholastic average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better is required — or its equivalent if the letter grade system is not used — for the last 60 semester units or last 90 quarter units of undergraduate study and in any post-baccalaureate study.

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.

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Once every three years a gifted group of actors are selected to participate in a our classical acting training program rooted in Shakespeare and classical realism.

-Five semesters of shows selected for these actors: Shakespeare, classical realism, comedy, styles and dialect pieces. Some class projects will culminate in juried performances.
-Acting classes: Individual work focused on combining vocal, physical and emotional technique using scene study and the plays selected for mainstage performance as our lens.
-Individualized movement training: Through the implementation of various movement techniques the actor is prepared to move organically and to successfully build physical characterizations. Part of the training is dedicated to the actor earning a certification in stage combat.
-Individualized vocal training: Here the focus is on voice production, beginning with the breath, using relaxation to connect body, mind and spirit, with emphasis on English language dialects.
-An audition course: Emphasizing all stage genres and on-camera techniques
-An acting for the camera course: Emphasis on practical application of acting training to film, television and commercials.
-Three years of teaching: The best way to learn is to teach. When aided by strong faculty mentorship, we believe understanding deepens in actors as they articulate what they are learning by teaching others.
-A musical theatre class: A beginning course in audtioning for and singing in Musicals. Opportunities for additional course work and on-going private voice lessons.
-A directing for the actor class: The fundamentals of directing viewed from how an actor can develop a director's eye even from inside the play.
-A showcase: A piece developed to show off the skills of this class for talent buyers.
-Professional forum: agents, casting directors and theatre company managers invited to see performances, give feedback and offer master classes. Planned throughout the senior year of study.
-Nebraska Repertory Theatre: Opportunities for performance with Actor's Equity Association actors while earning A.E.A. Membership Candidacy points.
-Summer work: A commitment to audition training, and travel to auditions to aid in finding summer acting work.

Individual awards for Assistantship funding range from $1500 to $8000. In addition to the Assistantship funding, the School also awards Fellowships at $2000 each. With help of the Graduate College and the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, Assistantship funding and additional Fellowships can be combined to total up to $23,000.

$1176/3 credit hour