Graduate

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre

Creating Connections

The M.F.A. in Theatre is a three-year professional training program dedicated to carefully nurturing a select group of theatre artists who seek to:

Connect to their individual voice/aesthetic.
Connect to their craft.
Connect to their collaborators and mentors.
Connect to the world their work explores and examines.

We admit a unified graduate cohort every three years, where students progress through the program as a single group. Our current cohort for 2026–2029 and is now at full capacity Recruitment for our next cohort (2029–2031) will begin in fall 2028. To receive notifications when the application opens, please fill out this form.

Although our current cohort is at capacity, our field of study is shaped by emerging opportunities and evolving needs. As a result, there are occasional instances in which an off-cycle applicant may be considered. Bottom line, if you are interested in our program, please reach out to head of graduate performance (John Walch) or head of graduate design (Shawn Irish).

Areas of Concentration

Acting

Lighting Design

Costume Design

Playwriting

Directing

Scenic Design

About the Program

The M.F.A. in Theatre is a terminal degree that prepares candidates practically, artistically, and intellectually to succeed professionally in their chosen area of concentration: Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Costume Design, Lighting Design, or Scenic Design. The program is intentionally intimate, allowing for intensive individualized mentorship from our expert faculty—a group of gifted working professionals, passionate about theatre and the art of teaching.

Our faculty seeks to prepare M.F.A. candidates for the unknowns of the professional world, by making them confident in the power of their vision/voice. While intimate in size, the program is broad in scope allowing candidates to explore a full range of learning opportunities, and encouraging collaborations across disciplines.

Admissions

We admit a unified graduate cohort every three years, wherer students progress through the program as a single group. Our current cohort for 2026–2029 and is now at full capacity Recruitment for our next cohort (2029–2031) will begin in fall 2028. To receive notifications when the application opens, please fill out this form.

Although our current cohort is at capacity, ours field of study is shaped by emerging opportunities and evolving needs. As a result, there are occasional instances in which an off-cycle applicant may be considered. Bottom line, if you are interested in our program, please reach out to head of graduate performance (John Walch) or graduate design (Shawn Irish), and indicate on the form if this is of interest to you.

In general, applicants are asked to provide the following information and materials:

Applicant Information
Unofficial Transcript and college GPA
A one to two page personal statement addressing the applicant's reasons for wanting to pursue a M.F.A. in Theatre. The statement should also discuss the applicant's goals and expectations coming into the program. Applicants are welcome to share other relevant information that might give the selection committee perspective on their application.
Three letters of recommendation from theatre professionals, professors, or other people who are familiar with the applicant and/or their work. At least one of the recommendations must speak directly to the applicant's work.
A résumé detailing academic experience, professional work in the theatre, and other relevant work experience.
A portfolio/audition of their work that includes work samples

The GRE Test is not required for admission to the M.F.A. Program in Theatre.
TOEFL Scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English.

To apply to the Graduate School, applicants will need to provide:

Current official transcript (official transcripts must come from a College or University Registrar or similar office)
If one’s undergraduate career is incomplete at the time of application, a final official transcript must be sent to the Graduate School before registration begins.
There is a $60.00 application fee for this step of our application process.
You should not apply for admission to the UA Graduate School until you receive notification from the M.F.A. Theatre program.

Before applying, please familiarize yourself with the admission requirements in the area you wish to study. Each area has a unique plan of study tailored to that specific discipline.

>>Submit your application via our application portal.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Fine Arts degree requires 60 hours of approved graduate-level coursework that is focused in one of area of concentration: Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Costume Design, Lighting Design, or Scenic Design.

Each student will be reviewed annually. Departmental faculty will determine whether sufficient progress has been made, artistically and academically, to warrant continuation into subsequent year of study and eventual graduation.

Transfer of credit may be considered for those students entering the M.F.A. program and to those already holding the M.A. degree in Theatre. However, a minimum of 42 hours of graduate-level courses and four (4) regular semesters must be completed on the Fayetteville campus.

Departmental requirements may be waived by the faculty in Theatre only upon receipt of evidence of equivalent learning or skill resulting from earlier education or experience.

Graduate Assistantships & Fellowships

We offer graduate assistantships, fellowships, and teaching opportunities.

Our assistantships pay for all tuition (excluding fees) and give a minimum 9-month $17,325 stipend each academic year. The Graduate School offers competitive merit-based fellowships to provide additional financial support to outstanding incoming students. These competitive, merit-based fellowhips award an additional $4000 each year to select students. There are other select scholarships for which you might be eligible, as well. Summer assistantships are also sometimes available.

All new graduate assistants must have background checks before they can be appointed. All offers are contingent on a successful background check, no work can begin until the check is complete.