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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

MFA Drama

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredInterview RequiredPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Highly SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Program Recognition

A newly reimagined, two-year, fully funded MFA beginning in Autumn 2027: instead of training actors, directors, designers, or writers separately, seven theatre artists learn and create together as a multidisciplinary company

The program's theme is "Unnamed," reflecting a commitment to the new and unknown possibilities of theatre

Seeks theater and performance artists, including those with cross-disciplinary and experimental creative practices

Head of the MFA: Chi-wang Yang

Training

The first year focuses on experimentation and productive disorientation, with students working alongside faculty across all disciplines in integrated studios

Students build productions together as a company and also pursue their own individual artistic projects

The second year culminates in ambitious public works, including a public exhibition in Seattle before touring to a world-class festival

Faculty are practicing artists working across devised and generative theatre, scripted plays, physical theatre, puppetry, immersive and interactive experiences, experimental theatre, performance art, musicals, and opera

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.83

Admit rate

39%

school-wide

Grad rate

85%

Enrollment

31.9K

Earnings

$78K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,340

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$46,256

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$37,680

Before aid

Average net price

$14,091

After aid

Estimated Annual Cost Of Attendance For First Year Undergraduates · washington.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 4d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

The program's theme is "Unnamed," reflecting a commitment to the new and unknown possibilities of theatre

Seeks theater and performance artists, including those with cross-disciplinary and experimental creative practices

Head of the MFA: Chi-wang Yang

Training

The first year focuses on experimentation and productive disorientation, with students working alongside faculty across all disciplines in integrated studios

Students build productions together as a company and also pursue their own individual artistic projects

The second year culminates in ambitious public works, including a public exhibition in Seattle before touring to a world-class festival

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

The program's theme is "Unnamed," reflecting a commitment to the new and unknown possibilities of theatre

Seeks theater and performance artists, including those with cross-disciplinary and experimental creative practices

Head of the MFA: Chi-wang Yang

Training

The first year focuses on experimentation and productive disorientation, with students working alongside faculty across all disciplines in integrated studios

Students build productions together as a company and also pursue their own individual artistic projects

The second year culminates in ambitious public works, including a public exhibition in Seattle before touring to a world-class festival

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App· Only option

Fee

Graduate Application Fee

$90

Opens

Oct 1, 2026

Deadline

Graduate School Application Priority DeadlineJan 3, 2027

MFA Drama · drama.washington.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Audition

Round 2 Finalist On-Campus Visit (by invitation only) - Dates TBATBA

MFA Drama · drama.washington.edu

Audition Requirements

Video Introduction

To help us get to know you, applicants should submit a short video introducing themselves. Please also share with us the following: What was the first time you felt yourself truly moved by a live performance experience - viscerally, personally, emotionally? Videos should be under 2 minutes, speaking directly to the camera, with no edits or effects. This should not involve a high level of production (the cell phone camera is fine)

Upload to the Digital Portfolio section of the graduate application

Artist Statement (500 Words or Less)

Please describe your artistic practice. Consider discussing: What issues and curiosities inform your work? What artistic forms or lineages influence your artistry? What do you hope to gain from this program (what do you need as an artist) and why now? What goals and dreams do you have for the future?

Upload to the Application Materials section of the graduate application

Portfolio

Applicants are required to upload a portfolio of current artistic work

Maximum 25 pieces of current artistic work from the past 7 years (video, photos, writing, renderings, etc.) with combined video/audio run time of 10 minutes or less; label each sample with date of work, venue/location, and your artistic role or contribution

Optional: to convey range and depth, we recommend that your portfolio focus on 3 to 5 different projects

Portfolios may represent more than one theatrical discipline (performance, design, directing, writing, etc.) as well as relevant work in other disciplines

Upload to the Digital Portfolio section of the graduate application

Resume, Photo & References

Current resume (2 pages max) and a recent photo or headshot

Contact info (name, title, phone, email) for three references; your recommendation letter writer may be one of them

Combine resume, photo, and references into one PDF document; upload to the Resume field under Application Materials

Letter of Recommendation

One letter of recommendation submitted through the Recommendations section of the graduate application

MFA Drama · drama.washington.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit all materials via the UW Graduate School application

Application fee: $90 (fee waivers available through the Graduate School; F or J visa international students are ineligible for a fee waiver)

GRE not required for any applicant

After the priority deadline, applications are accepted on a rolling basis; as the admissions process advances, interviews become increasingly difficult to schedule and cannot be guaranteed, so apply as early as possible

Eligibility

Applicants must hold (or will hold by September) a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution

Most applicants have undergraduate degrees in theatre, but it is not essential

International applicants must meet minimum TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores per Graduate School English Proficiency Requirements

Important Notes

Autumn 2027 admissions cycle; the next admissions cycle will be Autumn 2029

Contact the graduate program advisor at (206) 543-0714 or uwdrama@uw.edu with questions

What's The Process

Audition Process

Round 1: A select group of candidates is invited to individual interviews with program faculty over Zoom; additional materials may be requested in advance of the meeting

Round 2: Finalists are invited to the Seattle campus for a multi-day audition process and mini-residency to meet faculty, tour campus, and create and share work; dates to be announced, most likely late February or March 2027

Scholarship Info

Graduate Financial Support

Students admitted into the two-year MFA in Drama are funded for six quarters (the duration of the program) through a combination of fellowships and academic student employee assignments (for example, teaching assistantships or production staff assistantships)

Funding includes tuition waiver and 9 months of stipend and benefits for each year of the program

The department describes this as its typical funding model; funding offers are determined year-to-year for a given admissions cycle

A limited number of additional scholarships and fellowships are also available

School of Drama scholarships open to graduate drama students

Application deadline: April 19, 2026 (for 2026-2027 academic year)

See Graduate Tuition & Financial Aid page for details

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.83

Admit rate

39%

school-wide

Grad rate

85%

Enrollment

31.9K

Earnings

$78K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$14,340

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$46,256

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$37,680

Before aid

Average net price

$14,091

After aid

Estimated Annual Cost Of Attendance For First Year Undergraduates · washington.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

The program's theme is "Unnamed," reflecting a commitment to the new and unknown possibilities of theatre

Seeks theater and performance artists, including those with cross-disciplinary and experimental creative practices

Head of the MFA: Chi-wang Yang

Training

The first year focuses on experimentation and productive disorientation, with students working alongside faculty across all disciplines in integrated studios

Students build productions together as a company and also pursue their own individual artistic projects

The second year culminates in ambitious public works, including a public exhibition in Seattle before touring to a world-class festival

Updated 4d ago