College of the Arts
School of Theatre and Dance
www.kent.edu/theatredance

About This Program

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting is intended for the returning professional and mentors seasoned professional performers who wish to focus on refining and articulating their acting process, while gaining sound pedagogical practice in performance. The two-year terminal degree provides  candidates with a set of core classes centered around a variety of techniques and theories, within a flexible pedagogical laboratory model. Returning professional students are offered ample opportunity to hone performance and explore teaching skills as they earn a terminal M.F.A. degree in pursuit of employment.

Contact Information

• Amy Fritsche | afritsch@kent.edu |
  330-672-0112

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery
  • In person
• Location
  • Kent Campus

Applications to the M.F.A. in Acting are not being accepted at this time.

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

Applications to the M.F.A. in Acting are not being accepted at this time.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• Evidence of professional experience¹
• Audition
• Interview
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 50 PTE score
  • Minimum 100 DET score

¹

Required evidence in support of admission may include, but not limited to, Broadway, regional, and/or international performance credits; film and television credits; awards of national recognition; professional union affiliation; publication in the field of expertise; significant record of mentoring; and certifications and/or designations in areas such as acting, voice and speech or stage combat. Program faculty will evaluate the submitted documentation of professional experience and determine eligibility for the M.F.A. degree.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

THEA 61094 is required for teaching assistants only; minimum total credit hours for degree completion will be 63.

Graduation Requirements

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Employ a broad range of acting knowledge and skills in the creation and presentation of roles.
2. Perform in plays of various types and from various periods.
3. Acquire advanced capabilities in acting, voice and speech, movement, theatre history and pedagogy.
4. Apply sound pedagogical practices to aspects of theatre or performance studies.
5. Demonstrate professionalism in an acting setting.