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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Under 12 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Under 12 Students

Browse programs

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MFA Acting

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewNo University App

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Under 12 Students

Program Recognition

Three-year graduate acting training program leading to a terminal professional degree, the MFA in Acting

A total of six actors in the intensive program, with personalized attention to individual artist growth

Training

Multi-faceted approach emphasizing Physical, Communicative, Imaginative, Intellectual, Collaborative, and Career-building potential

6 semesters of Acting coursework, 5 semesters of Movement, and 5 semesters of Voice, plus additional areas of study, for 60 credit hours

Foundational acting classes offer instruction in Meisner, Adler, and other Stanislavski-based methodologies

Opportunity to study and certify in combat techniques through SAFD

Training in Intimacy for the Stage, plus access to additional IDC resources

Entrepreneurship course designed to develop skills in self-promotion and production

Faculty mentor from the first semester, with a semester-end reflection document and an oral examination on a supplemental reading list

Performance & Productions

Year 3 Showcase production in which all MFA Actors appear, with industry professionals invited, plus a Video Showcase disseminated to industry professionals

Opportunities to teach early-level undergraduate acting courses

Facilities

Facilities accommodate everything from intimate staged readings to fully-produced, multi-media, large-cast plays and musicals

Alumni work in professional capacities throughout the country and often return to share their experiences and expertise with students

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.76

Admit rate

78%

school-wide

Grad rate

80%

Enrollment

37.8K

Earnings

$64K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$12,142

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$42,702

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$30,574

Before aid

Average net price

$16,264

After aid

Index · studentcentral.indiana.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Oct 18, 8:24 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Three-year graduate acting training program leading to a terminal professional degree, the MFA in Acting

A total of six actors in the intensive program, with personalized attention to individual artist growth

Training

Multi-faceted approach emphasizing Physical, Communicative, Imaginative, Intellectual, Collaborative, and Career-building potential

6 semesters of Acting coursework, 5 semesters of Movement, and 5 semesters of Voice, plus additional areas of study, for 60 credit hours

Foundational acting classes offer instruction in Meisner, Adler, and other Stanislavski-based methodologies

Opportunity to study and certify in combat techniques through SAFD

Training in Intimacy for the Stage, plus access to additional IDC resources

Entrepreneurship course designed to develop skills in self-promotion and production

Faculty mentor from the first semester, with a semester-end reflection document and an oral examination on a supplemental reading list

Performance & Productions

Year 3 Showcase production in which all MFA Actors appear, with industry professionals invited, plus a Video Showcase disseminated to industry professionals

Opportunities to teach early-level undergraduate acting courses

Facilities

Facilities accommodate everything from intimate staged readings to fully-produced, multi-media, large-cast plays and musicals

Alumni work in professional capacities throughout the country and often return to share their experiences and expertise with students

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Three-year graduate acting training program leading to a terminal professional degree, the MFA in Acting

A total of six actors in the intensive program, with personalized attention to individual artist growth

Training

Multi-faceted approach emphasizing Physical, Communicative, Imaginative, Intellectual, Collaborative, and Career-building potential

6 semesters of Acting coursework, 5 semesters of Movement, and 5 semesters of Voice, plus additional areas of study, for 60 credit hours

Foundational acting classes offer instruction in Meisner, Adler, and other Stanislavski-based methodologies

Opportunity to study and certify in combat techniques through SAFD

Training in Intimacy for the Stage, plus access to additional IDC resources

Entrepreneurship course designed to develop skills in self-promotion and production

Faculty mentor from the first semester, with a semester-end reflection document and an oral examination on a supplemental reading list

Performance & Productions

Year 3 Showcase production in which all MFA Actors appear, with industry professionals invited, plus a Video Showcase disseminated to industry professionals

Opportunities to teach early-level undergraduate acting courses

Facilities

Facilities accommodate everything from intimate staged readings to fully-produced, multi-media, large-cast plays and musicals

Alumni work in professional capacities throughout the country and often return to share their experiences and expertise with students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

Program AppApplication

Apply

URTA School Website

Fee

IU Graduate School application Fee

$70

Auditions

URTA Auditions — Atlanta, GAJan 16, 2027

URTA Auditions — Chicago, IL (first day)Jan 24, 2027

URTA Auditions — Philadelphia, PA (first day)Jan 30, 2027

URTA Auditions — VirtualFeb 3, 2027

URTA Auditions — Fullerton, CA (first day)Feb 6, 2027

Acting How To Apply · theatre.indiana.edu

University Essays

Statement of purpose

300–500 words

You are also required to submit a 300-500 word statement of purpose. This should relate to the study of theatre in general, as well as to your special areas of interest.

Index · theatre.indiana.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

All MFA Acting auditions for the 2027 cohort are conducted through URTA; register for an audition through URTA

IU is recruiting a cohort of 6 MFA Acting candidates for the Fall of 2027, through URTA auditions in January and February of 2027

Acting and Directing candidates should not complete the IU application until a formal offer has been made

Admission into the MFA program requires an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year collegiate institution, or equivalent training and experience

Applications are considered every three years beginning in January, and are accepted until all openings have been filled

What's The Process

Audition Process

IU attends every 2027 URTA audition: Atlanta (January 16, 2027), Chicago (January 24–27), Philadelphia (January 30 – February 1), live-virtual (February 3) and Fullerton (February 6–7)

IU lists Atlanta and Fullerton as hybrid auditions, Chicago and Philadelphia as in-person auditions, and February 3 as live-virtual (candidates and recruiters remote); URTA describes hybrid auditions as in-person for candidates and member universities

No auditions outside the URTA cycle are scheduled

Scholarship Info

Financial Support

All MFA graduate admittees receive a full tuition waiver as part of their graduate assistantships; University mandatory fees and course fees are not waived

Stipends for graduate appointments are paid monthly; contact the head of your area of interest for current values of appointments and fee remittance

Student Academic Appointees and Fellowship Recipients are automatically enrolled in the student insurance plan, and the university pays the cost of the student premium

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.76

Admit rate

78%

school-wide

Grad rate

80%

Enrollment

37.8K

Earnings

$64K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$12,142

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$42,702

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$30,574

Before aid

Average net price

$16,264

After aid

Index · studentcentral.indiana.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Three-year graduate acting training program leading to a terminal professional degree, the MFA in Acting

A total of six actors in the intensive program, with personalized attention to individual artist growth

Training

Multi-faceted approach emphasizing Physical, Communicative, Imaginative, Intellectual, Collaborative, and Career-building potential

6 semesters of Acting coursework, 5 semesters of Movement, and 5 semesters of Voice, plus additional areas of study, for 60 credit hours

Foundational acting classes offer instruction in Meisner, Adler, and other Stanislavski-based methodologies

Opportunity to study and certify in combat techniques through SAFD

Training in Intimacy for the Stage, plus access to additional IDC resources

Entrepreneurship course designed to develop skills in self-promotion and production

Faculty mentor from the first semester, with a semester-end reflection document and an oral examination on a supplemental reading list

Performance & Productions

Year 3 Showcase production in which all MFA Actors appear, with industry professionals invited, plus a Video Showcase disseminated to industry professionals

Opportunities to teach early-level undergraduate acting courses

Facilities

Facilities accommodate everything from intimate staged readings to fully-produced, multi-media, large-cast plays and musicals

Alumni work in professional capacities throughout the country and often return to share their experiences and expertise with students

Updated Oct 18, 8:24 PM