Graduate Admissions

Penelope performance

Graduate Admissions Process

The Department of Theatre Arts accepts applications for Fall admission only, with applications being accepted December 1 through June 1. Admission to any of the three graduate programs in the Department of Theatre Arts at California State University, Long Beach is a two-part process that requires application to and acceptance by both the University and the Department of Theatre Arts. As such, applicants must complete two, individual applications. For admission criteria, please visit the CSULB graduate application and admission requirements page

 

For all other admission procedures, follow procedure for your specific discipline: 

Procedures for Acting

Procedures for Design

Procedures for Management

Department Application →

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts – Option in Acting 

The MFA in Acting is a two-year, cohort program for which new graduate actors are admitted every other Fall. This program is designed for mid-career professionals interested in pedagogy (teaching). Applicant must have 10 years minimum, professional experience. All applicants must complete two, individual applications: 

1. First, please file the Department of Theatre Arts / California Repertory Company Application. The process of filing will provide further details on departmental procedures and important supplemental materials, including: 

  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Professional Resume
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Unofficial Transcripts (not required, but if easily obtained, sending a completed set of unofficial transcripts will expedite the assessment of your application)
  • Monologue Audition
  • Demo / Sample Teaching Session
  • Interview with faculty

​All supplemental materials should be emailed to Theatre Arts Admissions or mailed to:

MFA (Acting) Admissions 
Department of Theatre Arts 
CSU Long Beach 
1250 Bellflower Blvd 
Long Beach, CA 90840

2. If you think our MFA in Acting (pedagogy) may be the right next step for your life in art, the application for Graduate Admission to the University is available online through CAL State Apply (https://www2.calstate.edu/apply). Along with your online application, you must submit one set of official transcripts, from every college or university you have attended. Official transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope to:​

Enrollment Services/Admissions 
CSU Long Beach 
1250 Bellflower Blvd  
Long Beach, CA 90840

Please be aware that transmission of transcripts can be a lengthy process and failure to submit transcripts in a timely manner will result in a delayed review of your application.

Any other questions? If you have questions or concerns about applying to the Department of Theatre Arts, please feel to contact our graduate advisor, Josh Nathan.​

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts – Option in Design: Scenery / Costume / Lighting Design 

The MFA option in Design is a traditional, three-year MFA and post-baccalaureate candidates are admitted every fall. All applicants must complete two, individual applications:

1. First, please file the Department of Theatre Arts / California Repertory Company Application. The process of filing will provide further details on departmental procedures and important supplemental materials, including:

  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic or Professional Resume – no professional experience required
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Unofficial Transcripts (not required but, if easily obtained, sending a completed set of unofficial transcripts will expedite the assessment of your application)
  • Portfolio of Original Work – questions should be directed to your discipline’s area head, by email:
  • Interview with the Area Head for your Discipline:
  • The Head of Scenic Design, Danila Korogodsky
  • The Head of Costume Design, Nancy Jo Smith
  • The Head of Lighting Design, David Jacques

Applicants are also seen at regularly scheduled U.R.T.A. auditions. More information on the University Resident Theatre Association can be found on their website.

All supplemental materials should be emailed to Theatre Arts Admissions or mailed to:

MFA (Scenic or Costumes or Lighting)* Admissions 
Department of Theatre Arts 
CSU Long Beach 
1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840

*Please include your chosen discipline in the address line. 

2. If you think our MFA in Design may be the right next step for your life in art, the application for Graduate Admission to the University is available online through CAL State Apply (https://www2.calstate.edu/apply). Along with your online application, you must submit one set of official transcripts, from every college or university you have attended. Official transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope to:

Enrollment Services/Admissions 
CSU Long Beach 
1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840

Please be aware that transmission of transcripts can be a lengthy process and failure to submit transcripts in a timely manner will result in a delayed review of your application.

Any other questions? If you have questions or concerns about applying to the Department of Theatre Arts, please feel to contact our graduate advisor, Josh Nathan.

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts and Master of Business Administration – Option in Theatre Management

The MFA/MBA is a concurrent degree and requires university admission, as well as separate admissions into the Department of Theatre Arts and the College for Business Administration. Entrance examinations are required for the MBA degree but applicants may choose to take the GMAT or the GRE. For details on the entrance examination requirement, please see the catalog admissions pages. All applicants must complete two individual applications:

1. First, please file the Department of Theatre Arts / California Repertory Company Application. The process of filing will provide further details on departmental procedures and important supplemental materials, including:

  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic or Professional Resume
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Unofficial Transcripts (not required but, if easily obtained, sending a completed set of unofficial transcripts will expedite the assessment of your application)
  • Interview with the Head of Management - For inquiries about interviews with the MFA/MBA program, contact the Management Coordinator: Chris Anthony. Applicants are also seen at regularly scheduled U.R.T.A. auditions. More information on the University Resident Theatre Association can be found on their website.

All supplemental materials should be emailed to Theatre Arts Admissions or mailed to:

MFA / MBA (Theatre Management) Admissions 
Department of Theatre Arts 
CSU Long Beach 
1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840

2. If you think our MBA/MFA in Theatre Management may be the right next step for your life in art, the application for Graduate Admission to the University is available online through CAL State Apply (https://www2.calstate.edu/apply). Along with your online application, you must submit one set of official transcripts, from every college or university you have attended. Official transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope to:

Enrollment Services/Admissions 
CSU Long Beach 
1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840

Please be aware that transmission of transcripts can be a lengthy process and failure to submit transcripts in a timely manner will result in a delayed review of your application.

Also, please note that the program associated with the concurrent MBA/MFA in Theatre Management is the “Evening MBA”. Questions about the MBA curriculum or the entrance exam requirement should be directed to the advisor for the MBA program, Rhianna Lemos-Girton.

 

Any other questions? If you have questions or concerns about applying to the Department of Theatre Arts, please feel to contact our graduate advisor, Josh Nathan.