The UCLA Department of Theater's Playwriting program welcomes adventurous students who look forward to intensive collaboration with their peers in acting and directing.
In the first year, Playwriting, Acting and Directing students will collectively study playwriting, acting, directing, voice and movement. Collaborative projects include a series of original performance pieces and a One Act Festival. After the first year of study, students will be frequently brought together for further collaborative projects with their peers in acting, directing and design. The Marianne Murphy Women & Philanthropy Award in Playwriting generously supports additional play readings.
Playwrights in the Theater MFA program are expected to complete a one-act play, a full-length play and to participate in the One Act Festival during their first year. In the second year, they will complete a second full-length play, a one-person play, and an additional project such as a screenplay or an adaptation for the stage. The third year typically includes participation in the New Play Festival for full-length plays, and an internship with a professional theater, film or television company or comparable environment.
Playwriting faculty includes successful writers whose work has been produced professionally across the country.
Course Requirements
A. Background Courses
- 205A: Background of Theatrical Art, 4 units
- 205B: Background of Theatrical Art, 4 units
- 205C: Background of Theatrical Art, 4 units
- 232: Manuscript Analysis, 4 units
Total: 16 units
B. Core Courses
- 230A: Advanced Playwriting, 4 units
- 230B: Advanced Playwriting, 4 units
- 230C: Advanced Playwriting, 4 units
- 231: Special Topics in Playwriting, 4 units
- 430A: Advanced Studies in Playwriting, 8 units
- 430B: Advanced Studies in Playwriting, 8 units
- 430C: Advanced Studies in Playwriting, 8 units
- 431: Special Topics in Playwriting, 4 units
Total: 48 units
C. Projects & Production
- C433A: Script Development Workshop, 8 units
- C433B: Script Development Workshop, 4 units
- C433C: Script Development Workshop, 8 units
- C472: Production & Performance, 2 units
Total: 22 units
D. Internship
- 498: Professional Internship in Theater, Film & Television, 8 units
Total: 8 units
TOTAL REQUIRED UNITS: 94
E. Electives Additional adviser-approved courses may be arranged in consultation with each student to expand knowledge or experience in areas where additional work is deemed necessary or to allow exploration of fields of interest where qualified by prerequisite.
All Theater, Film and Television degree programs are full-time, daytime programs. The Theater graduate programs have daytime classes and evening production activities. The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television only accepts applicants for admittance for the Fall and the next application period is for Fall 2024. We will be publishing the Fall 2024 supplemental requirements by September 15, 2023.
Applicants must submit all required application materials to be considered for admission.
Online and Mailed Application Deadline: December 1, 2023.
By the time of entrance, MFA applicants must:
APPLICATION WORKSHEET AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY
- COMING SOON
Please complete all of the following steps:
Step 1: Online
- Complete the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.
- MUST be paid and completed online by December 1, 2023.
- Indicate MFA, Theater, Playwriting as the program.
- Upload the Statement of Purpose.
- Submit a 1-2 page document.
- Upload a Personal Statement.
- Upload the Resume/CV.
- Upload a Two Samples of Creative Writing.
- Upload a Creative Writing Coversheet.
- At least one sample must be a full-length stage play.
- Upload Unofficial copies of all Transcripts.
- Submit Two Letters of Recommendation
- Enter the Names and Emails of all recommenders into the UCLA Graduate Division Online Application.
Step 2: Mail
- Mail an Official copy of all Transcripts from each Undergraduate and Graduate institutions attended.
- Note: Community College transcripts are not necessary.
- Request that all Test Scores be sent directly to UCLA.
- Only test scores taken by December 31, 2023 will be accepted.
- Note: Not Required for all Applicants.
Mailing Address
Please send all applicable materials to:
Graduate Theater Admissions: Playwriting
UCLA Department of Theater
103 East Melnitz Hall, Box 951622
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622
Online and Mailed Application Deadline: December 1, 2023.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
For more information on requirements and applying to UCLA as an International Student, visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/international-applicants/.
English Proficiency: Any international applicant whose first language is not English must certify proficiency in English when applying to UCLA, and, if admitted, upon arrival. Such applicants must submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as part of their application. The UCLA Code is 4837 and the Department Code is 2409. Only test scores taken by December 31, 2023 will be accepted. For more information about this requirement, visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/english-requirements/. International applicants who have received a Bachelor’s degree from an American institution are not required to take the TOEFL.
Academic Records: Although the UCLA Graduate Division Application enables applicants to upload an unofficial copy of their academic records, all applicants are required to submit official records from each academic institution attended. For more information about this requirement, visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/required-academic-records/.
Undergraduate Degree Requirement: Applicants must complete equivalent to a 4 year US Bachelor’s Degree. International students who hold three-year ordinary pass degrees, or who hold professional diplomas in accounting, business, librarianship, social work, physical education, health education and so on, or four-year degrees, diplomas or higher certificates from technical, vocational or post-secondary specialized schools are NOT eligible for graduate admission. For Academic Requirements by Country or Educational System, visit: https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/required-academic-records.
Proof of Funding for Visa: U.S. immigration law requires that international applicants, if admitted, show documented evidence that sufficient funds to cover all tuition, fees, transportation, and living expenses are available for the first year of their studies at UCLA. This must be proven before a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS2019) for a visa can be issued. For more information about this requirement, visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/visa-procedures/ .
FAFSA
For U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents interested in receiving financial aid in the 2024-2025 year, note that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline for UCLA is March 2, 2024. Applicants must complete the FAFSA by this date if they want to be eligible for all awards, work-study, and scholarships that UCLA offers. If applying after March 2, please check with the Financial Aid Office for available funding opportunities. www.financialaid.ucla.edu
DREAM ACT
For non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent residents who are approved to pay in-state tuition because they graduated from a high school in California; they will need to complete the California DREAM application by the March 2, 2024 deadline. The DREAM application can be accessed at https://dream.csac.ca.gov. If applying after March 2, please check with the Financial available funding opportunities. www.financialaid.ucla.edu
Please visit the FAQ page for additional information, call 310-206-8441, or email theatergrad@tft.ucla.edu.
** Please do not contact the department to check on your application, as we cannot update you on your application status or materials.
