The Master of Fine Arts in Acting at the University of Connecticut is an intensive and disciplined conservatory program designed to prepare students for robust careers in professional theatre, film, television, digital media, and voiceovers. We admit artists from diverse backgrounds who possess a playful imagination, a collaborative spirit and a growth mindset, who are interested in developing a rigorous discipline around the department’s core values of Courage, Creativity, Curiosity, Compassion and Community, who have the potential for physical and vocal metamorphosis, and a passion for telling the stories that will transform our world into a more just and equitable society.
Focused Attention, Integrated Training, and Plentiful Opportunities
At the University of Connecticut, we recognize that actors have many choices in the United States for graduate study. We have therefore striven to craft a unique program that:
– Provides extensive professional performance experience throughout the period of study.
– Maximizes the integration of craft.
– Allows for consistent, in-depth, one-on-one attention from our highly skilled faculty.
A Professional Resident Experience While Still In School
The MFA Acting Program offers outstanding performance opportunities at Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT), the professional Equity performance wing of the Department of Dramatic Arts. At CRT, for five of their six semesters at UConn, graduate students constitute a major component of the acting company, working alongside professional actors and directors.
Project-Based
At UConn, we believe that all branches of an actor’s craft – imaginative acting techniques, voice and speech, movement, dialects, dance, combat, and clown – rather than constituting discrete skills, are instead parts of one organic whole. In alignment with this idea, we have crafted a program in which acting, voice, and movement classes are every semester woven together in the daily rehearsal and studio performance of a wide range of projects. These laboratory performances – encompassing a broad spectrum of performance styles, historical periods, playwrights, and both live and digital mediums – are in addition to performance opportunities at CRT. We believe this project-based approach brings an exciting synthesis of depth, joy, rigor, and integrity to the professional actor’s attainment of craft.
A Small Cohort
We recognize that the time spent in graduate school is precious for an actor. To make the most of it, we admit one MFA cohort of up to twelve actors only once every three years. In doing so, we aim to facilitate a consistent degree of one-on-one attention from instructors, a faculty team committed to each individual’s growth, as well as a steady stream of performance opportunities both in the studio and on our CRT stages.
CLASS CATALOG
The following is a partial list of the actual dramatic arts courses you will take in order to complete your MFA in Acting.
First Year
Fall Semester
- DRAM 5001 Breath and Vocal Expression for the Actor
- DRAM 5701 Core Tools and Explorations for the Professional Actor (Shakespeare Project)
- DRAM 5801 Exploration of the Actor’s Physical Instrument
- DRAM 5131 Studies in Theatre History and Dramatic Literature
- DRAM 5197 TBA
Spring Semester
- DRAM 5002 Developing Vocal Range and Intelligibility for Text and Emotional Content
- DRAM 5702 Studies in Realism and Characterization
- DRAM 5802 Physical Conditioning and Techniques of Character (Biomechanics Intensive)
- DRAM 5197 TBA
- Casting in Productions at Connecticut Repertory Theatre
Second Year
Fall Semester
- DRAM 5003 Heightened Language-Shakespeare Text
- DRAM 5703 Acting Shakespeare and the Folio’s Guide for the Actor
- DRAM 5803 Commedia dell Arte and Theatrical Style in the Dramatic Space
- DRAM 5721 Stage Violence: Unarmed
- DRAM 5197 Gymnastics and Circus Skills
- Casting in Productions at Connecticut Repertory Theatre
Spring Semester
- DRAM 5004 Integrating Vocal Tools for the Actor
- DRAM 5704 Acting Styles: Comedy
- DRAM 5804 Expressive Mask and Physical Storytelling
- DRAM 5721 Stage Violence: Armed
- DRAM 5192 Singing Voice
- Casting in Productions at Connecticut Repertory Theatre
Third Year
Fall Semester
- DRAM 5005 Integrating Vocal Tools for the Actor
- DRAM 5705 Acting Styles: Contemporary Texts, Stage, and Film
- DRAM 5805 Movement Styles and Clown including Advanced Biomechanics
- DRAM 5197 Gymnastics and Circus Skills
- DRAM 5192 Singing Voice: Individual and Chorus
- Casting in Productions at Connecticut Repertory Theatre
Spring Semester
- DRAM 5006 Vocal Resources for the Professional Actor
- DRAM 5706 Actor Preparation for the Profession
- DRAM 5806 Physical Theatre Creation
- DRAM 5700 Acting for the Camera
- Casting in Productions at Connecticut Repertory Theatre & NYC Showcase
Additional requirements and/or electives in Dramatic Arts or other departments as required to total a minimum of 60 graduate credits.