We admit students into our MFA programs 2 out of every 3 years. Currently, we are in our off year. Our next admission deadline is January 15, 2014, for the class to enter Fall of 2014.
Admissions Procedures
The application deadline is January 15. Applications are submitted and processed online via the UMass Graduate School at www.umass.edu/gradschool/.
All of the materials, except writing samples and design portfolios, can be submitted online or mailed to:
Graduate Admissions Office
530 Goodell
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
These are the application materials:
Required of all MFA program areas:
- The main Graduate School application, including Personal Statement.\
- Transcripts of all previous academic work
- Resume of relevant professional experience
- At least two letters of recommendation (you may submit three)
Directing also requires:
- Two writing samples, at least one of which should be an essay on a play
you have directed or would like to direct.
Dramaturgy also requires:
- GREs
- At least two writing samples which demonstrate research, analytic,
and writing skills. Applicants may provide essays consisting of dramatic
criticism, historical production research, or criticism of witnessed
theatrical performances.
- (Note: preference is given to applicants in dramaturgy who are proficient
in a second language.)
Costume Design also requires:
- GREs
- A portfolio in a format of your choosing. The portfolio may include costume
design renderings, photographs or slides of executed projects, or samples
of graphic or other applied arts. Descriptive accounts of each item in
the portfolio should be included.
Lighting Design also requires:
- A portfolio in a format of your choosing. The portfolio may include draftings,
light plots and paperwork, photographs or slides of executed projects,
or samples of graphic or other applied arts. Descriptive accounts of
each item in the portfolio should be included.
Please note, writing samples and design portfolios CANNOT be submitted via the UMass online application. They should be sent DIRECTLY to the Theater Department, electronically whenever possible, at this address:
Email: Harley Erdman
Regular mail:
Graduate Admissions
UMass Department
of Theater,
Department of Theater,
112 Fine Arts Center,
University of
Massachusetts,
151 Presidents Drive Ofc. 2,
Amherst, MA 01003-9331
PLEASE NOTE: ONLY WRITING SAMPLES AND DESIGN PORTFOLIOS SHOULD BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEPARTMENT. ALL OTHER MATERIALS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE GRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE.
We
cannot guarantee the return of such materials.
After the faculty has reviewed all completed applicant files, those candidates
selected for top consideration will be invited to the campus for personal
interviews. These interviews usually take place between mid-February
and late March. In some exceptional instances, the interviews may be
conducted via phone or video internet.
Additional Application Information
An applicant’s undergraduate degree need not be in Theater, but previous
training and experience should be comparable to that required for the
Bachelor of Arts in Theater at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Applicants with incomplete backgrounds in theater who show exceptional
artistic promise may be admitted provisionally.
New England Regional Student Program
Qualified residents of Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont are eligible to participate in the regional graduate tuition rate, currently 50 percent over the rate charged to residents of Massachusetts. Inquiries regarding the New England Regional Student Program should be directed to:
Graduate Admissions Office
530 Goodell
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-0721
Information about the Program
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