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Theater Graduate

The master of fine art programs in theater at Temple University have distinguished themselves as some of the foremost theater training and performance institutions in the nation, and as important contributors to the Philadelphia theater landscape. Through this production program, MFA actors, directors, designers, playwrights and technicians collaborate with professional faculty, staff and guest artists to bring exciting, contemporary theater to a diverse audience.

Temple Theaters has been noted for premiering many new works for Philadelphians as well as producing vital staging of classic works. Our alumni have found successful employment as actors, directors, designers, playwrights and technicians at theaters across the country and around the world including Broadway, Off-Broadway, The Kennedy Center, The Mark Taper Forum, Circle-in-the-Square, The Guthrie Theater, New York Shakespeare, Lincoln Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Yale Repertory Theatre to name only a few. The National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST) accredits both the undergraduate and graduate programs.

Divine Words

The Department of Theater offers master of fine arts degrees in Acting, Directing, Design and Playwriting. Additionally the department offers a new master of arts degree in Musical Theater Studies. Students in these programs are trained by professional faculty who are accomplished in their field, to learn, create and teach. MFA students work together in the classroom, on projects, and in the theater to create innovative, professional and diverse theaterical experiences.

Application Information & Requirements

Most of the programs require three academic years to complete. The Acting, Directing and Musical Theater Collaboration programs admits a cohort every three years. The Design, Playwriting and Musical Theater Studies programs admit qualified students each fall. See the sections below for information about applying to one of the graduate programs offered by the Department of Theater.

MA Musical Theater Studies

To be considered for admission to the program, the following must be submitted:

Complete University Online Application:

  • A statement of goals
  • A resume
  • Three letters of reference
  • Official transcripts reflecting a bachelor’s degree 
  • Online Application Fee

Application Process

  1. Apply to Temple University Graduate School Online.

Mail additional application materials to:

Graduate Admissions
c/o Paury Flowers
School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
Presser Hall 141
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

To apply now, please visit Graduate School Admissions.

MFA Directing Application Information

The next recruitment cycle begins September 2017 for entrance in Fall 2018. 

Candidates may apply in either of two ways; to Temple University directly or through the National Unified Auditions and Interviews (NUAIs) conducted by University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA) in New York and Chicago.

Those interested in applying through NUAI  may apply in the fall for NUAIs.  In the event you subsequently receive an offer of admission, you will be required to complete the Temple University Online Application and pay the Application Fee.

If applying instead to Temple directly, the following must be submitted by January 12, 2018:

  • Complete University Online Application
  • A Statement of Goals
  • A Resume
  • Three Letters of Reference
  • Official Transcripts
  • Online Application Fee

Applications are thoroughly screened, and top candidates are invited to interview with the directing faculty at Temple University or one of the NUAI locations.

Application Process

  1. Apply for an interview through the University/Resident Theatre Association
 or apply to Temple University Online.
  2. Applications are thoroughly screened, and top candidates are invited to interview at Temple University or one of U/RTA’s NUAI locations.

Mail additional application materials to:

Graduate Admissions
c/o Paury Flowers
School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
Presser Hall 141
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

To apply now, please visit Graduate School Admissions.

MFA Musical Theater Collaboration

To be considered for admission to the program, the following must be submitted by March 1, 2018:

Complete University Online Application:

  • A Resume
  • Statement of Goals
  • Three Letters of Reference
  • Official Transcripts
  • International Applicants: TOEFL Test (100 iBT or 6.0 IELTS)
  • Online Application Fee

Additional Materals:

  • Director/Choreographers: A reel of creative work, production photos, reviews and/or website submitted via Acceptd.
  • Composers/Lyricists: Samples of creative work, portfolio, reviews, and/or website submitted via Acceptd
  • Book Writers: Writing samples of one full-length script or two one-acts are required for admission consideration.

Application Process

  1. Apply to Temple University Online.
  2. After initial review of materials, selected applicants meet with appropriate faculty, either through URTA at audition sites in New York and Chicago or on Temple University's Main Campus.

Mail additional application materials to:

Graduate Admissions
c/o Paury Flowers
School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
Presser Hall 141
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

To apply now, please visit Graduate School Admissions.

MFA Design Application Information

To be considered for admission to the program, the following must be submitted by February 1, 2018:

Complete University Online Application:

  • A Resume
  • Portfolio
  • Three Letters of Reference
  • Official Transcripts
  • Online Application Fee

Applications are screened and top candidates are invited to interview with design faculty at Temple University or at the Design/Tech NUAIs in Chicago.

Interview & Portfolio Presentation

The department interviews design program candidates at the University/Resident Theatre Association National Unified Auditions and Interviews in Chicago and on campus. Applicants are encouraged to visit the department in Philadelphia, to attend classes and speak with faculty, staff and current students.

The MFA Design program recruits applicants through the National Unified Auditions and Interviews (NUAIs) conducted by University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA) in Chicago. Those interested in the program should apply in the fall for the Design/Tech NUAIs. Candidates are not required to interview through the U/RTA process, but are strongly encouraged to do so.

At the interview we are interested in learning as much about you as possible: your thinking and imagination, your vision, your sense of theater, your visual and graphic abilities.  In short, we are interested in your potential. Portfolios should include examples of design and technical work: renderings, rough sketches, examples of drafting, working drawings and realized production work, or other work that demonstrates theatrical and graphic ability.  

Portfolio must include, at least, one complete set of design visuals for a realized production; from conception (research, rough sketches, etc.) through renderings, model, drafting, plot, to production photos of the completed work onstage.  You may also include artwork, photography or other visual materials, which you think shows your imagination and abilities.

Application Process

  1. Contact discipline specific faculty member about your interest.
  2. Apply for an interview through the University/Resident Theatre Association
.
  3. Apply to Temple University Online.
  4. Applications are thoroughly screened, and top candidates are invited to interview at Temple University.

Mail additional application materials to:

Graduate Admissions
c/o Paury Flowers
School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
Presser Hall 141
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

To apply now, please visit Graduate School Admissions.

MFA Playwriting Application Information

To be considered for admission to the program, the following must be submitted by January 12, 2018:

Complete University Online Application:

  • A Resume
  • Statement of Goals
  • Writing Sample (preferrably a full-length play or two one-act plays)
  • Three Letters of Reference
  • Official Transcripts
  • Online Application Fee

Application Process

  1. Apply to Temple University Online.
  2. Applications are thoroughly screened, and top candidates are invited to interview at Temple University.

Mail additional application materials to:

Graduate Admissions
c/o Paury Flowers
School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
Presser Hall 141
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

To apply now, please visit Graduate School Admissions.

MFA Acting Application Information

The following applies during the recruiting cycle for the class entering in Fall 2018:

◦   Applications must have credits as a professional actor.

◦   An audition and interview are required for admission into the program.

Auditions and interviews for the next MFA class will be held in New York City and Chicago at the University/Resident Theatre Association's National Unified Auditions/Interview (NUAIs). Auditions and interviews will also be held on-campus in Philadelphia in February of 2018. Those interested in auditioning for Temple through the URTA audition process should apply in the fall for the NUAIs. Those interested in auditioning in Philadelphia should specify their auditioning preference on the application.

To be considered for admission to the program, the following must be submitted by January 12, 2018:

  • Complete University Online Application
  • A Resume
  • Three Letters of Reference
  • Official Transcripts
  • Online Application Fee

Applications are thoroughly screened, and top candidates are invited to interview with the acting faculty at Temple University or one of the NUAI locations.

Audition Dates & Locations

Below are the scheduled audition dates.
 
NUAI New York, January 19-22, 2018
Millenium Hotel, 145 West 45th Street, New York, NY 10036
 
NUAI Chicago, January 29 - February 1, 2018
Westin Hotel, 909 Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60605
 
Temple University, February 10, 2018
Tomlinson Theater, 1301 West Norris Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Application Process

  1. Apply for an interview through the University/Resident Theatre Association
 or contact Lynne Innerst for auditions in Phildelphia at innerst@temple.edu. 
  2. Apply to Temple University Online.

Mail additional application materials to:

Graduate Admissions
c/o Paury Flowers
School of Theater, Film and Media Arts
Presser Hall 141
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

To apply now, please visit Graduate School Admissions.

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