The Graduate Program in Acting is a two-year track for candidates with extensive experience and professional credits who wish to pursue a teaching career.
The production repertoire of Cal Rep consists predominately of highly theatrical original work. Both national and international guest artists regularly complement the faculty.
Acting, voice, and movement classes are available every semester. Additional classes include Dramaturgy, Theory and Practice of Contemporary Theatre, and Aesthetic Theory and Conceptualization. An MFA Creative Project Report is required and is based on a specific performance in the repertory. Training covers a variety of approaches to acting and covers ensemble playing in repertory, film/video acting, improvisation, and technique courses. Voice training covers enrichment and expansion of individual vocal skills, use of dialects and accents, and exploration of microphone techniques for radio, film, and voice-over work. Movement training covers body mechanics and nonverbal communication, unarmed and armed combat with safety techniques, and movement styles, manners, and social dances from selected theatrical periods.
The MFA in Acting offers graduate students the opportunity to perform in repertory, to study with many different teachers and directors and to experience differing approaches and techniques in order to enrich their acting skills. In addition, each graduate student has the opportunity to teach acting on the undergraduate level. This program prepares the actor for acting in repertory and for a professional teaching career.
The MFA degree in Theatre Arts is a terminal degree offering the professional training deemed necessary by major theatre arts schools in the United States for university and college teaching positions as well as professional employment as an actor.
The MFA curriculum emphasizes full-time professionally oriented study. It requires two years of full-time graduate study and the completion of sixty semester credit hours. In addition to academic and professional studies, internships under professional conditions with California Repertory Company are an integral part of the program.
The curriculum consists of 60 units, comprising both practical and theoretical work.
Prepare two contrasting monologues approximately four minutes in length.
If you sing, please prepare 16 bars which demonstrate style and range.
Auditions and interviews for artists interested in joining the company are in January or February. You may call the Theatre Department office at (562) 985-7891 to check for audition dates and to schedule an audition.
Students applying for the MFA program must have completed a bachelor's or master's degree in Theatre Arts (or a related discipline) from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA in upper division major courses, meet university admission requirements, and submit evidence of creative ability and professional intent. When an undergraduate degree has been completed in a program having different requirements than those at CSULB or in some field other than Theatre Arts, additional preparation and time may be required before the student can be considered for classified status in the degree program. Up to 24 units of credit from an MA degree program may be acceptable after review of the faculty evaluation committee and approval by the Dean.
Admission to the program in Acting requires an audition, an interview and/or evidence of creative work. A committee will review the student's work no later than the end of his/her first year in residence to judge whether the student should continue in the program. In order to obtain full classified status, a committee from the Theatre Arts graduate faculty will evaluate academic progress, individual skill development, and review performance at the end of the student's first full year in residence.
Evaluation of the student's development and progress, along with an assessment of his or her potential in the profession is provided periodically for retention in the program. Candidates present a final project showing professional competence in the area of their concentration. Opportunities for performance are provided in a variety of formal and informal settings.
Most members of the company will be offered an assistantship in their area of concentration. There are many opportunities to teach while one is a member of the company. Assistantships range from $5000 to $8000 per academic year. A limited number of fee waivers are available for non-California residents.
If you have further questions or would like to schedule an audition/interview, please call 562-985-7891.
