Theatre - Theatre for Young Audiences M.F.A.

Overview

The M.F.A. degree program in Theatre for Young Audiences at UCF is a highly selective, rigorous, three­ year professional training program emphasizing both theatre theory and practice. The program accepts applicants every other year  in the fall semester. This acceptance pattern alternates with the M.F.A. degree in Acting in order to provide students with individualized attention as well as to allow the opportunity to create a collaborative, ensemble­ based  learning community.

The M.F.A. degree is rooted in the belief that classroom study and practical experience in the theatre are of equal and complementary value. Therefore, elements of academic study and dramatic production are integrated into the curriculum.  Students in the Theatre for Young Audiences track enjoy the opportunity of working in close partnership with the Orlando Repertory Theatre, a nationally renowned professional theatre for family audiences. Students will work with the Orlando Repertory Theatre in order to apply teaching and/or administrative skills to a professional practice and to explore opportunities in professional production and community engagement.

The M.F.A. at UCF is designed for students who demonstrate the artistic and intellectual capacity and evidence of professional promise to pursue careers in professional and academic theatre. Candidates must show  potential to become highly trained theatre practitioners and understand the conceptual basis of their art. Toward this end, the department will recruit and develop graduate students who can serve, along with faculty and staff, as role models for undergraduate students whose B.F.A. programs of study are integrally connected and dependent.

Requirements

Minimum requirements for admission are a B.A. or B.F.A. degree in Theatre or equivalent. An audition or portfolio presentation and an interview are also required. Each student interested in the program must apply to UCF through the College of Graduate Studies before being considered a serious candidate.

Due to COVID-19, GRE requirements for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2021 are suspended.

Students must submit application materials to UCF's College of Graduate Studies AND the Department of Theatre. The University of Central Florida employs an online application process which can be accessed at www.graduate.ucf.edu. Additional materials must be mailed directly to the theatre department.

Submit to the Office of Graduate Studies

• Online Application
• Application Fee
• Official Transcripts
• Official GRE scores
• Residency Classification Form
• Statement of Purpose
• Résumé
• Three (3) Current Letters of Recommendation

Audition/Interview Information

The theatre department requires applicants to participate in an interview, as well as an audition OR a portfolio presentation. All materials for the Theatre for Young Audiences program must be submitted through Acceptd.

The university's deadline for Fall early priority admission and fellowship consideration is January 15. In order for the department to have time to review your application, please submit your materials to Acceptd and apply to Graduate Studies at UCF no later than November 14. Applications submitted after November 14 will not be considered for fellowships, but will be considered for acceptance. The final date for submission is March 15.

After your digital submissions are reviewed, the program will contact you if they are interested in scheduling an interview.

Additional Application Information

To Acceptd, please upload the following as separate files:

• Resume
• Transcripts
• Please use Acceptd's built-in format to request/supply your 3 letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose (The statement of purpose (1-2 pages) should address the applicant's qualifications, artistic and/or educational philosophy, and intended area(s) of focus within the program of study, and should include how study at UCF will contribute to the applicant's long-term goals.)

Applicants who are proficient in multiple areas may submit any of the below.
Performers must upload separate files of:

• 8x10 Headshot
• Monologue 1 (Contrast to #2, No more than a minute)
• Monologue 2 (Contrast to #1, No more than a minute)
• Optional:
• 16 bars of a song of your choice
• Short example of dance ability

All others must upload separate files of:

• Design/Direction/Stg. Mgmt. Portfolio. The portfolio presentation should highlight the applicant's strengths and experience in the field and should be limited to fifteen minutes.

Contact: Vandy Wood- Contact for MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences