Theatre and Dance

College of Fine Arts

answers to 16 of your most frequently asked questions

  1. How can I reach you?
  2. How can I obtain more information about the University of Texas at Austin?
  3. How can I apply?

    You can apply on-line at the UT website and are encouraged to do so as it is the quickest, most efficient method!

  4. What else is required besides the application?
    • Three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, 5 copies of your resume.
    • GRE not necessary.
    • Acceptance into the program is competitive and contingent upon a PORTFOLIO REVIEW. We strongly encourage all applicants to interview in person. Your PORTFOLIO should contain not only designs (with swatches and research) and photos, but figure drawings, other artwork, photography, craftwork, rough sketches, and research.
    • The INTERVIEW can be arranged by contacting Susan Mickey or Denise Martel. Arrange to meet us at the annual U/RTA interviews in Chicago, NYC, or Las Vegas. Write U/RTA before calling to receive their information about requirements, schedules and fees at www.urta.com. You may also arrange an on-campus interview.
  5. What about my GRE score?

    The GRE is not required.

  6. What is the cost of tuition?
    • RESIDENT: $2632 plus $1337.04 fees: $3969.04/semester, $7939.08/annually
    • NON-RESIDENT: $5708.00 plus $1337.04 fees: $7045.04/semester, $14,090.08/annually
    • *all fees are approximate and are subject to change
  7. Do you have out-of-state tuition waivers? What is the cost of tuition with a waiver?

    All of our present graduate students receive Out-of-State tuition waivers. The cost of tuition with an out-of-state waiver is $2632 plus fees ($1337.04) per semester, $7939.08/annually.

  8. Do you have Teaching Assistantships, Production Assistantships or other Financial Aid available?

    All of our graduate students who receive a ten (10) hour Teaching Assistantship or Production Assistantship at the 25% graduate appointment rate are offered approximately $4552.00 annually. Some students are also eligible for a tuition remission of $1360.93/semester or $2721.86/annually. The package of a graduate appointment plus a tuition remission equals approximately $3637.72/semester, $7275.44/annually. In addition, scholarships are also available (scholarships vary in amounts from year to year)

  9. What scholarships are available to Design Majors?

    There are many scholarships available for designers and technology students. Among these are, The Lucy Barton Scholarship (named for the founder of the Costume program) and the Paul Reinhardt Scholarship (named for the second Costume program head). These are available competitively to upper level costume majors who have demonstrated excellence in class work.

    Additionally there are select named scholarships available competitively to all students in the Department. Students are chosen according to criteria established by the Scholarship Committee. Amounts usually total about $1000.00 per semester, but vary up to $6000.00.

  10. How many students do you take a year?

    Typically, a total of six to twelve (6-12) with financial support are accepted in design and technology. We accept the best students, and try to assemble a class of colleagues with a healthy mix of disciplines and interests.

  11. How many students are currently in the Design and Technology Program?

    There are currently approximately 15 design graduate students 15 technology graduate students in the entire three-year program.

  12. What is the difference between the Design and Technology programs?

    We believe that Designers need to know how to build and execute ideas and that Technicians need to have design sensibility. Not only will students become better in communicating their needs, but there will be a much broader range of career choices available to them upon graduation. This philosophy has proven true by the excellent career paths our graduates have chosen. Students have a choice from a broad range of design, drawing and painting, and technology courses. Production assignments and theses vary depending on the student's focus. Designers will design more while Technicians will build more. Each program is made stronger by the excellence and presence of the other.

  13. How many shows do you produce annually?

    We give students design opportunities in theatre, video, film, dance, opera, and new works:

    • 3-4 shows on the Payne Stage (Proscenium House)
    • 3-4 shows in the Brockett Theatre (Flexible space usually configured as a Thrust)
    • 3-4 Opera Productions (McCullough Theatre)
    • 1 Drama and Theatre for Youth Tour (In Austin middle schools)
    • Dance concerts throughout the year
  14. When will I have a chance to design or build costumes? How many shows will I have worked on during my graduate years at UT?

    Design majors begin designing shows in their first semester. These shows go into production the second semester. Most design students design 3-4 realized productions while at UT. Costume/Scenery Technology majors begin building costumes /scenery or heading up craft areas their first semester and continue to do so all three years.

  15. Do you have an association with a professional theatre?

    While there is no formal theatre in residence at UT, we have excellent relationships and placement history with the Tony Award winning Alley Theatre in Houston which typically has 3-5 costume students on staff who have graduated from UT, the Santa Fe Opera, The Old Globe Theatre, Jim Henson Associates, Actor's Theatre of Louisville, the Spoletto Festival, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Susan, Jim and the staff routinely receive calls from colleagues in the profession at top theatres informing them of open positions. For a more comprehensive list of former graduate placement profiles, see the cover letter in your costume packet.

  16. When is your decision date and when will you be making offers?

    We will begin making offers on March 3. Campus visits and interviews will be held February 19-21 and February 26-28.

COME VISIT US IN AUSTIN, SIT IN ON CLASSES, SEE THE PROGRAM IN ACTION, AND TALK WITH CURRENT STUDENTS!!