Theatre and Dance

Graduate Program FAQs

  1. What is the relationship between the Playwriting M.F.A. offered by the Department of Theatre and Dance and the M.F.A. in Creative Writing (with a focus on Playwriting) offered by the James A. Michener Center for Creative Writing?
  2. What is the difference between the Theatre and Dance Department M.F.A. Program and the Michener Center of Writers?
  3. Do Michener Fellows and Theatre and Dance M.F.A. candidates take the same courses?
  4. If I apply to the Department of Theatre and Dance's M.F.A. Playwriting Program am I automatically considered for the Michener Center for Creative Writing M.F.A. Program (or vice versa)?
  5. Is it recommended for a student to apply to both the Department of Theatre and Dance's M.F.A. Playwriting Program and the Michener Center for Creative Writing's M.F.A. Program?
  6. What production opportunities can I expect while enrolled in the program?
  7. Will you send an application?
  8. Where do I download specific forms?
  9. What are the Fall 2010 deadlines?
  10. Is the GRE required?
  11. How soon should I take the GRE if it is required for my application?
  12. Do I have to take the TOEFL? (international students only)
  13. Would I be able to come into the graduate program in one area and later transfer to another area?
  14. May I fax or e-mail some of my application materials to the Department?
  15. How do I decide which persons to ask for references?
  16. Is there a separate scholarship application that I must complete?
  17. May I attend classes during the summers and finish early?
  18. What classes will I take? Will my old classes transfer?
  19. What size cohort do you admit each year?
  20. What production opportunities do M.F.A. students have?
  21. Are students given the opportunity to TA other classes in the Department? If so, is it a once-in-a-while thing, or is the chance to TA fairly frequent?
  22. Do students get office space?
  23. What are the overall writing requirements for the various degrees? What courses will I be required to take? What and how many productions will I have to participate in?
  24. Are Grad students able to participate in other classes outside of their area?
  25. Should I schedule an interview?
  26. I'm interested in the M.F.A. in Acting. Should I apply before my audition?
  27. I'm interested in the M.F.A. in Acting, but I can't attend the U/RTA auditions. When are your onsite auditions and how do I schedule one?
  28. I'd like to schedule a private audition/interview at U/RTA. Is that possible?
  29. When will you take Directing applicants again?
  30. What length of play must I submit for the Playwriting Area?
  31. What is the difference between the UT Austin Theatre Playwriting M.F.A. and the Creative Writing M.F.A.?
  32. Should I schedule an interview / portfolio review?
  33. How do I get there?
  • Q1. What is the relationship between the Playwriting M.F.A. offered by the Department of Theatre and Dance and the M.F.A. in Creative Writing (with a focus on Playwriting) offered by the James A. Michener Center for Creative Writing?
    A1. They are two tributaries to the same river with slightly different flow patterns. The Department of Theatre and Dance awards an M.F.A. in Theatre, while the Michener Center awards an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Curricular paths through the two programs are similar in that students from both programs take the same playwriting classes and have access to the same developmental and productions opportunities. However, Theatre and Dance students tend to take more classes with other theatre artists, actors, directors, dramaturgs and designers. Students of the Michener Center must fulfill curricular commitments in a secondary area of screenwriting, fiction, or poetry.
    Return to Top
  • Q2. What is the difference between the Theatre and Dance Department M.F.A. Program and the Michener Center of Writers?
    A2. There are two primary differences. First, Michener Fellows are given a full scholarship for their three years of study as well as a fellowship to pay for room, board and living expenses. Theatre and Dance Department Playwrights are eligible to receive generous fellowships which generally cover most of their tuition costs. In addition, Theatre and Dance students are paid for their work as Teaching Assistants and Associate Instructors as they receive valuable experience working professionally in the academy. Second, Michener Fellows are not permitted to teach courses (or to be employed in any capacity whether inside of outside the University); Theatre and Dance Department Playwrights will teach undergraduates as a part of their education. Both programs bestow M.F.A.'s on graduates. There is a separate application process for the two programs.
    Return to Top
  • Q3. Do Michener Fellows and Theatre and Dance M.F.A. candidates take the same courses?
    A3. By and large, yes. You will be working with one another in workshops, labs and readings. However Michener Fellows must choose a secondary focus (poetry, fiction, or screenwriting) and will spend part of each year working in those areas. But both students will have the opportunity to study and meet with all Playwriting faculty and guests.
    Return to Top
  • Q4. If I apply to the Department of Theatre and Dance's M.F.A. Playwriting Program am I automatically considered for the Michener Center for Creative Writing M.F.A. Program (or vice versa)?
    A4. No. Each program has separate application and admissions review processes.
    Return to Top
  • Q5. It is recommended for a student to apply to both the Department of Theatre and Dance's M.F.A. Playwriting Program and the Michener Center for Creative Writing's M.F.A. Program?
    A5. Emphatically yes. Because both programs are highly competitive, if you are truly interested in attending the University of Texas for playwriting, you are strongly encouraged to apply for both programs. Each program will only accept one or two new students each year, so applying for both effectively doubles your chances for admission to the University of Texas.
    Return to Top
  • Q6. What production opportunities can I expect while enrolled in the program?
    A6. Between the University's Main Stage Theatrical Season, the biennial University COOP / Cohen New Works Festival, and UT New Theatre Program-there are more opportunities for student productions at the University of Texas than at any other playwriting program in the country. It is our program's position that guaranteed “mainstage” productions within an academic setting, in some cases, do little to prepare playwrights for the professional arena and may harm some writers' abilities to do the ongoing work and revisions which their plays require. Thus we attempt to fit the scale of the production to the needs of the given script.
  • It is the faculty's express aim to support and assist each playwright in securing the most beneficial production opportunity within the University, or, when appropriate in the local professional community.
    Return to Top
  • Q7. Will you send an application?
    A7. No. The online application is our only way of receiving applications. Your information will be available much sooner electronically and will speed the application process. You need apply only to the University's Graduate School, as there is not a separate application required for the Department of Theatre and Dance.
    Return to Top
  • Q8. Where do I download specific forms?
    A8. At the UT admissions page.
    Return to Top
  • Q9. What are the Fall 2010 deadlines?
    A9. January 1, 2010:
    • Drama and Theatre for Youth
    • Playwriting
    • Performance as Public Practice (PPP)
    • Michener Center for Creative Writing
  • Return to Top
  • Q10. Is the GRE required?
    A10. Yes, the GRE is required for application to Playwriting Program.
    Return to Top
  • Q11. How soon should I take the GRE if it is required for my application?
    A11. The GRE should be taken as soon as possible. Information may be obtained through the GRE Web site.
    Return to Top
  • Q12. Do I have to take the TOEFL? (international students only)
    A12. All international applicants must submit the TOEFL or IELTS with their application. The TOEFL can be waived if the applicant comes from an English-ONLY country, or holds a Bachelor's degree from a US university. Master's degrees cannot waive the TOEFL.
  • A score of 550 (paper test), 213 (computer-based test), or 79 (internet-based test) on the TOEFL OR an overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination of the Academic Examination of the TOEFL or IELTS is considered the minimum acceptable for admission to the University of Texas at Austin.
    Return to Top
  • Q13. Would I be able to come into the graduate program in one area and later transfer to another area?
    A13. Please consider your concentration carefully. You must have a focus which will make one of our areas appropriate for your work. There is latitude in each student's program of study permitting courses in other areas of interest, but students aren't admitted into the program with the intention of moving to another area.
    Return to Top
  • Q14. May I fax or e-mail some of my application materials to the Department?
    A14. No, please send all materials in one packet, through U.S. Mail or a postal delivery service, to the Department of Theatre and Dance Graduate Office.
  • Phillip Salazar
    Department of Theatre and Dance
    1 University Station, D3900
    Austin, TX 78712-0362
    Return to Top
  • Q15. How do I decide which persons to ask for references?
    A15. The most valuable references will be from persons able to endorse your ability in your field of specialization and estimate your success in a graduate school environment and the profession.
    Return to Top
  • Q16. Is there a separate scholarship application that I must complete?
    A16. There is not a separate financial application form. Your application file provides all of the information necessary. The scholarships are awarded by the Scholarship Committee based on recommendations from the Graduate Studies Executive Committee. All incoming (new) graduate students are placed in consideration for scholarships.
    Return to Top
  • Q17. May I attend classes during the summers and finish early?
    A17. There are limited courses offered in the summers. The majority of our graduate students and some of our faculty leave Austin for summer theatre work. The fall and spring semesters offer all of the required coursework. It is best to enter the program with the commitment for the time recommended: M.F.A. - 3 years, 60 hours. Playwrights are strongly encouraged and often supported in summer participation in nationally recognized new play development programs, festivals and institutions.
    Return to Top
  • Q18. What classes will I take? Will my old classes transfer?
    A18. As an undergraduate, you were probably handed a “cookie cutter” or “one-size-fits-all” degree plan. Those don't really apply at the graduate level. Each plan is customized for the goals, strengths, and weaknesses of the student. If you're admitted, you and your adviser will discuss your educational plans and formulate a degree plan.
  • In general, the faculty will not discuss specific degree plans before the student has been admitted and accepted our offer. Nor will we discuss transfer possibilities before the student has been admitted and accepted our offer.
    Return to Top
  • Q19. What size cohort do you admit each year?
    A19. Generally there are two Theatre and Dance Playwriting M.F.A. candidates and two Michener Fellow Playwrights admitted each year, but that number is neither a guarantee or a cap.
    Return to Top
  • Q20. What production opportunities do M.F.A. students have?
    A20. All M.F.A. students have several opportunities to participate in mainstage productions. Playwrights also may become involved in productions as actors or directors.
    Return to Top
  • Q21. Are students given the opportunity to TA other classes in the Department? If so, is it a once-in-a-while thing, or is the chance to TA fairly frequent?
    A21. Students should have the chance to TA and even teach their own classes, assuming they are qualified.
    Return to Top
  • Q22. Do students get office space?
    A22: Short answer: yes, if you are teaching a class for us. Long answer: we have to re-evaluate space needs every semester.
    Return to Top
  • Q23. What are the overall writing requirements for the various degrees? What courses will I be required to take? What and how many productions will I have to participate in?
    A23: These issues are addressed with the faculty when you arrive.
    Return to Top
  • Q24. Are Grad students able to participate in other classes outside of their area?
    A24. This is required of all of our students. Not only are you required to take classes outside of your concentration, but you will probably have to take classes outside of Theatre and Dance.
    Return to Top
  • Q25. Should I schedule an interview?
    A25. Finalists in the playwriting admission process are required to come to campus for an interview.
    Return to Top
  • Q26. I'm interested in the M.F.A. in Acting. Should I apply before my audition?
    A26. No. We require an audition prior to the application.
    Return to Top
  • Q27. I'm interested in the M.F.A. in Acting, but I can't attend the U/RTA auditions. When are your onsite auditions and how do I schedule one?
    A27. Information about M.F.A. in Acting audtions has been posted on this website.
    Return to Top
  • Q28. I'd like to schedule a private audition/interview at U/RTA. Is that possible?
    A28. Our faculty follows all U/RTA guidelines.
    Return to Top
  • Q29. When will you take Directing applicants again?
    A29. Fall 2009. Visit this web page for more information.
    Return to Top
  • Q30. What length of play must I submit for the Playwriting Area?
    A. Submit two writing samples (complete plays) best representative of your work. No specific length is required.
    Return to Top
  • Q31. What is the difference between the UT Austin Theatre Playwriting M.F.A. and the Creative Writing M.F.A.?
    A31. Creative Writing is an interdisciplinary program with ties to English, Radio-Television-Film, and Theatre. Design/Tech (all fields)
    Return to Top
  • Q32: Should I schedule an interview / portfolio review?
    A32: Absolutely.
    Return to Top
  • Q33: How do I get there?
    A33: See our Maps and Directions.
    Return to Top