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California State University - Long Beach

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Browse programs

Theatre

Dance

Quick links

MFA/MBA Theatre Management

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

One of the top MFA/MBA Theatre Management programs in the country

Concurrent MFA/MBA — joint degree between Theatre Arts and Graduate School of Business

Three-year, full-time program

Terminal degree qualifying graduates for university faculty positions

Not-for-profit organizational management approach

Training

30 additional MBA units: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Strategic Business Management, Operations

Notable Alumni

Paula Eagleman — MFA/MBA '25; Theater Administrator at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

Claire Pearson — MFA/MBA '25; Institutional Giving Manager at Center Theatre Group

Naima Orozco-Valdivia — MFA/MBA '24; Executive Programs Manager at Center Theatre Group

Sean Book — MFA/MBA '16; Philanthropic Engagement Manager at Children's Musical Theatre San Jose

Caitlin Bryson — MFA/MBA '16; Management Associate at Page73 Productions (NYC)

Professional Development

Hands-on management of California Repertory Company (CalRep) — 6-8 productions annually

Graduate assistants earn $8,000-$10,000 annual stipend through CalRep

CalRep assignments: Front of House, Box Office, Fundraising, Marketing, Production Management, Company Management, Event Planning, Grant Development

Prestigious placements: South Coast Rep (Tony Award winner), Center Theatre Group, LA Opera, Pasadena Playhouse, Hollywood Fringe Festival

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.67

Admit rate

46%

school-wide

Grad rate

69%

Enrollment

35.9K

Earnings

$64K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$8,748

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,994

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$34,462

Before aid

Average net price

$10,440

After aid

Undergraduate Costs 0 · csulb.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 5d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

One of the top MFA/MBA Theatre Management programs in the country

Concurrent MFA/MBA — joint degree between Theatre Arts and Graduate School of Business

Three-year, full-time program

Terminal degree qualifying graduates for university faculty positions

Not-for-profit organizational management approach

Training

30 additional MBA units: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Strategic Business Management, Operations

Notable Alumni

Paula Eagleman — MFA/MBA '25; Theater Administrator at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

Claire Pearson — MFA/MBA '25; Institutional Giving Manager at Center Theatre Group

Naima Orozco-Valdivia — MFA/MBA '24; Executive Programs Manager at Center Theatre Group

Sean Book — MFA/MBA '16; Philanthropic Engagement Manager at Children's Musical Theatre San Jose

Caitlin Bryson — MFA/MBA '16; Management Associate at Page73 Productions (NYC)

Professional Development

Hands-on management of California Repertory Company (CalRep) — 6-8 productions annually

Graduate assistants earn $8,000-$10,000 annual stipend through CalRep

CalRep assignments: Front of House, Box Office, Fundraising, Marketing, Production Management, Company Management, Event Planning, Grant Development

Prestigious placements: South Coast Rep (Tony Award winner), Center Theatre Group, LA Opera, Pasadena Playhouse, Hollywood Fringe Festival

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

One of the top MFA/MBA Theatre Management programs in the country

Concurrent MFA/MBA — joint degree between Theatre Arts and Graduate School of Business

Three-year, full-time program

Terminal degree qualifying graduates for university faculty positions

Not-for-profit organizational management approach

Training

30 additional MBA units: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Strategic Business Management, Operations

Notable Alumni

Paula Eagleman — MFA/MBA '25; Theater Administrator at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

Claire Pearson — MFA/MBA '25; Institutional Giving Manager at Center Theatre Group

Naima Orozco-Valdivia — MFA/MBA '24; Executive Programs Manager at Center Theatre Group

Sean Book — MFA/MBA '16; Philanthropic Engagement Manager at Children's Musical Theatre San Jose

Caitlin Bryson — MFA/MBA '16; Management Associate at Page73 Productions (NYC)

Professional Development

Hands-on management of California Repertory Company (CalRep) — 6-8 productions annually

Graduate assistants earn $8,000-$10,000 annual stipend through CalRep

CalRep assignments: Front of House, Box Office, Fundraising, Marketing, Production Management, Company Management, Event Planning, Grant Development

Prestigious placements: South Coast Rep (Tony Award winner), Center Theatre Group, LA Opera, Pasadena Playhouse, Hollywood Fringe Festival

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Cal State Apply· Only option

Fee

$70

Opens

Fall 2027 Cal State Apply availableAug 1, 2026

Fall 2027 application submission period opensOct 1, 2026

Deadline

Fall 2027 first-time/first-year and transfer application deadlineNov 30, 2026

Key Dates And Deadlines · csulb.edu

Program AppApplication

Opens

Dec 1, 2026

Deadline

Fall Application DeadlineJun 1, 2027

Mfamba Theatre Management · csulb.edu Key Dates And Deadlines · csulb.edu

Interview Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

Letters of Recommendation

Resume

Academic or professional resume

Statement

Statement of purpose

Transcript

Unofficial transcripts are optional but helpful for faster assessment

Mfamba Theatre Management · csulb.edu

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Three-step admission process: Cal State Apply, Department of Theatre Arts interview, then College of Business evaluation

Fall admission only; applications accepted December 1 through June 1

GRE scores are not required

Concurrent MFA/MBA degree requires admission to the university, Department of Theatre Arts, and College of Business

Program Requirements

Minimum 3.0 GPA in upper-division major courses

Additional preparation may be needed if applicant lacks theatre arts background

Up to 24 units from a prior MA program may be accepted after faculty review and dean approval

Associated MBA program is the Evening MBA

Contact

Theatre Arts graduate advisor: Tanya Piloyan, Tanya.Piloyan@csulb.edu

MBA curriculum: Lindsay Sterk, Lindsay.Sterk@csulb.edu

Theatre Management interview: Jeff Janisheski, Jeff.Janisheski@csulb.edu

What's The Process

Interview Process

No audition required

Interview with Department of Theatre Arts faculty is required for admission

For MFA/MBA interview inquiries, contact Interim Head of Theatre Management Jeff Janisheski

After the theatre department interview, applicants undergo College of Business evaluation by diagnostic examination and undergraduate transcript analysis

Scholarship Info

Funding

Graduate assistants earn an $8,000-$10,000 annual stipend through California Repertory Company

College of the Arts scholarships are available through the BeachScholarships application

FAFSA or CADAA is required for most need-based COTA scholarships

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.67

Admit rate

46%

school-wide

Grad rate

69%

Enrollment

35.9K

Earnings

$64K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$8,748

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$20,994

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$34,462

Before aid

Average net price

$10,440

After aid

Undergraduate Costs 0 · csulb.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

One of the top MFA/MBA Theatre Management programs in the country

Concurrent MFA/MBA — joint degree between Theatre Arts and Graduate School of Business

Three-year, full-time program

Terminal degree qualifying graduates for university faculty positions

Not-for-profit organizational management approach

Training

30 additional MBA units: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Strategic Business Management, Operations

Notable Alumni

Paula Eagleman — MFA/MBA '25; Theater Administrator at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

Claire Pearson — MFA/MBA '25; Institutional Giving Manager at Center Theatre Group

Naima Orozco-Valdivia — MFA/MBA '24; Executive Programs Manager at Center Theatre Group

Sean Book — MFA/MBA '16; Philanthropic Engagement Manager at Children's Musical Theatre San Jose

Caitlin Bryson — MFA/MBA '16; Management Associate at Page73 Productions (NYC)

Professional Development

Hands-on management of California Repertory Company (CalRep) — 6-8 productions annually

Graduate assistants earn $8,000-$10,000 annual stipend through CalRep

CalRep assignments: Front of House, Box Office, Fundraising, Marketing, Production Management, Company Management, Event Planning, Grant Development

Prestigious placements: South Coast Rep (Tony Award winner), Center Theatre Group, LA Opera, Pasadena Playhouse, Hollywood Fringe Festival

Updated 5d ago