BY DOUG LONG
Although it is not the only way, many directors connect with MFA programs through U/RTA, the University/Resident Theatre Association. By participating in the U/RTA interviews, you can talk to representatives from several universities on the same day. After submitting the required materials–letter of interest, resume, statement of directorial philosophy and professional goals, academic transcripts, and three letters of recommendation–U/RTA lets you know which schools are interested in interviewing you. There are three interview sites, one being Chicago. Interviews usually take place in February (for the academic year starting fall of that year).
You can access their Web page at www.urta.com, email them at urta@aol.com, or write to 1560 Broadway, Suite 414, New York, NY 10036. The Web site includes contact information (including Web links) to participating schools and theatres.
U/RTA schools with MFA directing programs include:
University of Arizona: Dept. of Theatre Arts, P.O. Box 210003, Tucson, AZ 85721-0003, http://arts.music.arizona.edu/theatre/
University of California–Irvine: Drama Dep. 249 Drama, Irvine, CA 92697-2775, http://www.arts.uci.edu
California Institute of the Arts: School of Theatre, 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355, http://www.calarts.edu
University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music: Division of Opera, Musical Theatre, Drama, Arts Administration, Theatre Design and Production, P.O. Box 210096, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0096
Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training: 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243, http//www.asolo.org/fsu0.htm
Illinois State University–Illinois Shakespeare Festival: Department of Theatre, Normal, IL 61790-5700, http://www.orat.ilstu.edu/theatre
Indiana University: Dept. of Theatre and Drama, Theatre 200, Bloomington, IN 47405, http://www.fa.indiana.edu/~thtr
University of Iowa–Iowa Summer Repertory: Dept. of Theatre Arts, Iowa City, IA 52242-1705, http://www.uiowa.edu/~theatre
University of Minnesota: Dept. of Theatre Arts & Dance, 580 Rarig Center, 330 21st Ave., South, Minneapolis, MN 55455, http://cla.umn.edu/theater/index.tml
University of Montana/Montana Repertory Theatre: Dept. of Drama/Dance, Missoula, MT 59812, http://www.sfa.umt.edu/drama
Northern Illinois University–SummerNITE: School of Theatre Arts, DeKalb, IL 60115, http://www.vpa.niu.edu/theater/
Northwestern University: Dept. of Theatre, 1979 S. Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208
Ohio University/Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park: School of Theatre, 307 Kantner Hall, Athens, OH 45701, http://www.cats.ohiou.edu/~thatdept/index.html
Pennsylvania State University–Pennsylvania Centre Stage: School of Theatre Arts, 103 Arts Building, University Park, PA 16802-2900
Purdue University: Theatre Division, 1376 Stewart Center, G84, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1376, http://www.sla.purdue.edu/theatre
Rutgers University–Mason Gross School of the Arts: Theater Arts Division, 2 Chapel Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0270
University of South Carolina/The Shakespeare Theatre: Dept. of Speech, Theatre & Dance, Longstreet Theatre, Columbia, SC 29208, http://www.cla.sc.edu/THSP/index.html
Southern Methodist University: Division of Theatre, P.O. Box 750356, Dallas, TX 75275-0356, http://www.smu.edu/~meadows/MSA_Theatre.html
Temple University: School of Communication & Theatre, 1301 W. Norris St., Philadelphia, PA 19122-6075, http://www.scat.temple.edu/theater/ (Temple only accepts new directing classes every three years; the next starts this fall.)
University of Texas at Austin/Actors Repertory Theatre of Texas: Dept. of Theatre and Dance, Win. 1.144, Austin, TX 78712
University of Washington: School of Drama, Box 353950, Seattle, WA 98195-3950, http://ascc.artsci.washington.edu/drama/index.tml
In addition, two area non-U/RTA universities offering MFA’s are:
DePaul University: The Theatre School, 2135 N. Kenmore, Chicago, IL 60614, http://theatreschool.depaul.edu/
Roosevelt University: Theatre Program, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605-1394, http://www.roosevelt.edu/ccpa/theatre/mfa-thedir.html
Other 2001
College Issue Stories
Arts
Mamagement Degrees
Scenic Painting at Cobalt
Mastering the fine art of Directing
2001 College Yearbook