University of Arkansas Department of Theatre

PRIORITY  DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS TO THE ACTING AREA is February 1, 2023.  Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.

The  Department of Theatre seeks eight to ten M.F.A. Actors for admission to our program beginning Fall 2023. Applications will be accepted until all the positions are filled.  Acceptance to the Acting area requires a preliminary video audition and a callback audition either in-person or virtually. If you have any questions regarding the application or audition process, please contact Amy Herzberg, Head of Acting at: herzberg@uark.edu.

STEP ONE: (Due Feb. 1, 2023)

Applicants wishing to apply to the Acting Program should prepare to provide:

• Applicant Information
• Undergraduate degree and GPA
• Resume and headshot
• A Preliminary Audition: Prepare three contrasting monologues (a contemporary comedic, a contemporary dramatic, and a Shakespeare), totaling no more than eight minutes. If desired, applicants can provide an additional song from the musical theatre repertoire of up to one minute. In this case, the audition should not exceed nine minutes.  All applicants must submit a video audition.

STEP TWO: By invitation/callback, due date to be determined with invitation. Applicants who receive an official callback will be asked to further provide:

• A one- to two-page personal statement addressing the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue an M.F.A. in Acting. The statement should also discuss the applicant’s goals after completion of the program. Applicants are welcome to share  other relevant information that might give the selection committee  perspective on their application.
• Transcript
• Three letters of recommendation from theatre professionals, professors, or other people who are familiar with the applicant and/or their work. 

The GRE Test is not required for admission the University of Arkansas Graduate School and standardized tests are not required for admission into to the M.F.A. Program in Theatre.

STEP THREE: After official acceptance, due date to be determined with acceptance offer.

Final admission into the MFA Program requires a formal application to the University of Arkansas Graduate School. This step is not necessary until one has been granted admission into the MFA Program. To apply to the graduate School, one should expect to provide:

Current official transcript (official transcripts must come from a College or University Registrar or similar office)

If one’s undergraduate career is incomplete at the time of application, a final official transcript must be sent to the graduate school before registration begins for one’s second semester.

PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS TO THE DIRECTING AREA IS FEBRUARY 1, 2023. However, applications will be accepted until all the positions are filled.

The Department of Theatre seeks two M.F.A. Directors for admission to our program beginning Fall 2023. If you have missed the priority deadline and still wish to apply, or if you have any questions, please contact, please contact Morgan Hicks, Interim Head of Directing, with questions at mhicks@uark.edu.

Applicants should be prepared to provide the following information and materials:

• Applicant Information
• Unofficial transcript, and college GPA
• A one- to two-page personal statement, including your vision and goals both in theatre and in pursuing an M.F.A. in Theatre Directing. What inspires you?
• A résumé detailing academic experience, professional work in the theatre, and other relevant work experience.
• A portfolio of work which should include:

1. Video of up to 15 minutes that showcases the applicant's directing work. This may be from one production or a compilation of several productions. We prefer being sent an online link, although you can also upload a file.
2. A list of plays you’d be excited to direct, as well as any adaptations or other projects that intrigue you.
3. Optional: production photos of shows you have directed.

• Three letters of recommendation from theatre professionals, professors, or other people who are familiar with the applicant and/or their work. One of the recommendations must speak directly to the applicant’s work.

Please note, select students will be invited to interview in February/March of 2023.

The GRE Test is not required for admission to the M.F.A. Program in Directing.

Final admission into the MFA Program requires a formal application to the University of Arkansas Graduate School. This step is not necessary until one has been invited to interview for the MFA Directing Program. To apply to the graduate School, one should expect to provide:

Current official transcript (official transcripts must come from a College or University Registrar or similar office)

If  one’s undergraduate career is incomplete at the time of application, a  final official transcript must be sent to the graduate school before  registration begins for one’s second semester.

The Department of Theatre seeks M.F.A. Playwrights for admission to our program beginning Fall 2023.  While the priority deadline for applications to the Playwriting Area was Feb, 1, 2023, applications will be accepted and considered until all the positions are filled. If you are considering applying, please promptly submit your application. Applicants are encouraged to contact John Walch, Head of Playwriting area, @ jswalch@uark.edu with any questions.

Applicants should be prepared to provide the following information and materials:

• Applicant Information
• Unofficial Transcript, and college GPA
• A one- to two-page personal statement addressing the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue a M.F.A. in Playwriting at this moment in their development as a writer. The statement should also discuss the applicant’s goals and expectations coming into the program. Applicants are welcome to share other relevant information that might give the selection committee perspective on their application.
• Three letters of recommendation from theatre professionals, professors, or other people who are familiar with the applicant and/or their work. One of the recommendations must speak directly to the applicant’s work.
• A résumé detailing academic experience, professional work in the theatre, and other relevant work experience.
• A portfolio of their work that includes two writing samples.

1. The first work sample should be a full-length play that the applicant feels best reflects their theatrical sensibility and dramatic writing.
2. The second can be a full-length, a one-act, a work-in-progress, or something in a different genre/medium. Applicants should provide a 15-20 minute excerpt from this piece, plus a one to two paragraph description of the work and their reasons for selecting it.

The GRE Test is not required for admission to the M.F.A. Program in Playwriting.

Final admission into the MFA Program requires a formal application to the University of Arkansas Graduate School. This step is not necessary until one has been granted admission into the MFA Program. To apply to the graduate School, one should expect to provide:

Current official transcript (official transcripts must come from a College or University Registrar or similar office)

If one’s undergraduate career is incomplete at the time of application, a final official transcript must be sent to the graduate school before registration begins for one’s second semester.

The Department of Theatre seeks M.F.A. Designers for admission to our program beginning Fall 2023. Acceptance to the Costume Design program requires a preliminary application.  If you have questions, please contact Helene Siebrits, Head of MFA Costume Design @ siebrits@uark.edu.  Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. 

STEP ONE: 

Applicants wishing to apply to the Costume Design MFA should prepare to provide:

• Applicant Information
• Undergraduate degree and GPA
• A résumé detailing academic experience, professional work in the theatre, and other relevant work experience.
• A link to their deign portfolio online or uploads of their their creative work, including:

1. Images of design work: renderings and production photos
2. Images of costume construction
3. Images of artwork
4. Images of anything costume related: makeup designs, craft work, fashion designs, clothing.

These can be all in one of the above areas or a combination of items. A unified portfolio is preferred, but separate images are also accepted.

The GRE Test is not required for admission the University of Arkansas Graduate School and standardized tests are not required for admission into to the M.F.A. Program in Theatre.

STEP TWO: By invitation, due date to be determined with invitation.

 Applicants who receive an invitation for additional materials will be asked to further provide:

• A one- to two-page personal statement addressing the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue an M.F.A. in  Acting. The statement should also discuss the applicant’s goals after  completion of the program. Applicants are welcome to share  other  relevant information that might give the selection committee   perspective on their application.
• Undergraduate Transcript
• Three letters of recommendation from theatre professionals, professors, or other people who are familiar with the applicant and/or their work.

STEP THREE After acceptance, due date to be determined with acceptance offer.

Final admission into the MFA Program requires a formal application to the University of Arkansas Graduate School. This step is not necessary until one has been granted admission into the MFA Program. To apply to the graduate School, one should expect to provide:

Current official transcript (official transcripts must come from a College or University Registrar or similar office)

If one’s undergraduate career is incomplete at the time of application, a final official transcript must be sent to the graduate school before registration begins for one’s second semester.

The Department of Theatre seeks M.F.A. Designers for admission to our program beginning Fall 2023. Acceptance to the Lighting Design program requires a preliminary application. If you have questions, please contact please contact Shawn Irish, Head of M.F.A. Design at sirish@uark.edu.  Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled; early initial applications (step one, described below) are strongly encouraged.

STEP ONE: 

Applicants wishing to apply to the Lighting Design MFA should prepare to provide:

• Applicant Information
• Undergraduate degree and GPA
• A résumé detailing academic experience, professional work in the theatre, and other relevant work experience.
• A link to their deign portfolio online or uploads of their their creative work, including:

1. Images of design work: renderings and production photos
2. Examples of plots & paperwork
3. Other related work (coursework, etc.)
4. Images of artwork

These can be all in one of the above areas or a combination of items. A unified portfolio is preferred, but separate images are also accepted.

The GRE Test is not required for admission the University of Arkansas Graduate School and standardized tests are not required for admission into to the M.F.A. Program in Theatre.

STEP TWO: By invitation, due date to be determined with invitation.

Applicants who receive an invitation for additional materials will be asked to further provide:

• A one- to two-page personal statement addressing the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue an M.F.A. in  Acting. The statement should also discuss the applicant’s goals after  completion of the program. Applicants are welcome to share  other  relevant information that might give the selection committee   perspective on their application.
• Undergraduate Transcript
• Three letters of recommendation from theatre professionals, professors, or other people who are familiar with the applicant and/or their work.

STEP THREE: After acceptance, due date to be determined with acceptance offer.

Final admission into the MFA Program requires a formal application to the University of Arkansas Graduate School. This step is not necessary until one has been granted admission into the MFA Program. To apply to the graduate School, one should expect to provide:

Current official transcript (official transcripts must come from a College or University Registrar or similar office)

If one’s undergraduate career is incomplete at the time of application, a final official transcript must be sent to the graduate school before registration begins for one’s second semester.

• Personal Information
• Unofficial transcript(s), and college GPA
• A one- to two-page personal statement addressing the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue a M.F.A. in Lighting Design The statement should also discuss the applicant’s goals and expectations coming into the program. Applicants are welcome to share other relevant information that might give the selection committee perspective on their application.
• Three letters of recommendation from theatre professionals, professors, or other people who are familiar with the applicant and/or their work. One of the recommendations must speak directly to the applicant’s work.
• A résumé detailing academic experience, professional work in the theatre, and other relevant work experience.
• A portfolio of their work which should include:

1. Images of realized design work
2. Examples of plots & paperwork
3. Other related work (coursework, etc.)

The GRE Test is not required for admission to the M.F.A. Program in Lighting Design.

The Department of Theatre seeks M.F.A. Designers for admission to our program beginning Fall 2023. Acceptance to the Scenic Design program requires a preliminary application. If you have questions, please contact please contact Shawn Irish, Head of M.F.A. Design at sirish@uark.edu.  Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled; early initial applications (step one, described below) are strongly encouraged.

STEP ONE: 

Applicants wishing to apply to the Lighting Design MFA should prepare to provide:

• Applicant Information
• Undergraduate degree and GPA
• A résumé detailing academic experience, professional work in the theatre, and other relevant work experience.
• A link to their deign portfolio online or uploads of their their creative work, including:

1. Images of design work: renderings, production photos, models, etc.
2. Examples of ground plans & drafting 
3. Other related work (coursework, etc.)
4. Images of artwork

These can be all in one of the above areas or a combination of items. A unified portfolio is preferred, but separate images are also accepted.

The GRE Test is not required for admission the University of Arkansas Graduate School and standardized tests are not required for admission into to the M.F.A. Program in Theatre.

STEP TWO: By invitation, due date to be determined with invitation.

Applicants who receive an invitation for additional materials will be asked to further provide:

• A one- to two-page personal statement addressing the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue an M.F.A. in  Acting. The statement should also discuss the applicant’s goals after  completion of the program. Applicants are welcome to share  other  relevant information that might give the selection committee   perspective on their application.
• Undergraduate Transcript
• Three letters of recommendation from theatre professionals, professors, or other people who are familiar with the applicant and/or their work.

STEP THREE: After acceptance, due date to be determined with acceptance offer.

Final admission into the MFA Program requires a formal application to the University of Arkansas Graduate School. This step is not necessary until one has been granted admission into the MFA Program. To apply to the graduate School, one should expect to provide:

Current official transcript (official transcripts must come from a College or University Registrar or similar office)

If one’s undergraduate career is incomplete at the time of application, a final official transcript must be sent to the graduate school before registration begins for one’s second semester.