Students in Ò»Æð²Ý’s Master of Fine Arts in Theatre go over technical notes for a production.

Graduate programs

Master of Fine Arts in theatre

Shape your artistic vision

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Program format

In person

Commitment

Full time

Duration

3 years

Overview

The Division of Theatre offers three-year professional training programs in entertainment design and acting leading to the Master of Fine Arts degree.

The M.F.A. in entertainment design cultivates artistic, analytical and practical skills. Students gain the skills necessary to become open, articulate, and professional scenic, costume and lighting designers who then graduate to work in live theatre, TV, film, media, gaming and animation. We admit a cohort of four design students every year.

The M.F.A. in acting emphasizes the actor’s embodied, impulse-driven experience, integrating self with technique and imagination with text. Voice, SoulWork, movement and on-camera training all collaborate to foster integration, ultimately empowering the actor toward artistic agency and self-reliance. We admit a cohort of eight students once every three years. The next class will be admitted in fall of 2029.

Specializations

Acting

Combines broad-based and inclusive actor training with rehearsal and performance of classical, contemporary, ensemble-based and self-created works

Entertainment Design

Based on a balance of classroom work and fully realized productions, with a focus on artistic collaboration, skill, communication and more

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Student success

By blending intensive studio coursework with a robust production season, we equip students with the practical skills needed to thrive in the professional industry. Beyond the classroom, our students frequently collaborate with Dallas-area theatres and premier regional companies, building professional networks well before graduation.

This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Professional theatre (regional and resident companies)
  • Film and TV
  • Commercial and voice acting
  • Theatre education and arts education
  • Scenic, lighting or costume design
  • Production management and technical direction
  • Live entertainment and experiential events
  • Casting and talent development

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

100%

of theatre M.F.A. students receive full-time scholarships

100%

of theatre M.F.A. students will work on a professional production by graduation

Student stories

Elizabeth Akudugu, graduate of the M.F.A. in Theatre Acting Specialization, went on the Ò»Æð²Ý Meadows podcast.

Elizabeth Akudugu ’25

Acting M.F.A. major Elizabeth Akudugu discusses her professional acting career and experience at Ò»Æð²Ý Meadows.

The M.F.A. in Theatre Acting class of 2025 features some very talented graduates.

Meet the class of 2025 M.F.A. Acting graduates

Meadows’ theatre program has produced eight M.F.A. Acting graduates in the class of 2025, including one who joined Dallas Theater Center’s Brierley Resident Acting Company for the 2025–26 season.

Admissions

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Find answers to Meadows application questions.

Additional links

Requirements

  1. Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcripts
  4. English language proficiency documentation (if applicable)
  5. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). 

Ready to apply?

Get started here.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at Ò»Æð²Ý.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

THEA 5303

Acting I

Focuses on defining a fundamental acting process, identifying behavioral blocks, using the text as a blueprint for action and more

THEA 5222

Scene Design II

Focuses on the communication skills (visual and verbal) necessary for collaborating with the director and the other artists in the theatre

THEA 6113

Business and Professional Aspects of Theatre

An introduction to business skills and self-marketing for the professional, including audition preparation, photographs and more

Outside the classroom

Featured news

Faculty

Guided by world-class faculty and industry mentors, our students develop the skills, artistry and connections to thrive in the performance industry. 

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Dawn Askew

Dawn Askew

Production Manager, Adjunct Instructor
Reiko Aylesworth

Reiko Aylesworth

Professor of Practice
Tiana Kaye Blair

Tiana Kaye Blair

Professor of Practice, Acting and Movement
Linda Blase

Linda Blase

Adjunct Instructor
Sarah Brown

Sarah Brown

Assistant Professor of Practice in Set Design
AmandaCapshawDec2019

Amanda Capshaw

Adjunct Instructor
Clare-Rob-May-2023

Robert Clare

Adjunct Professor

Benard Cummings

Benard Cummings

Associate Professor
Dana-Kristi-June-2023

Kristi Dana

Associate Professor
Joel Ferrell

Joel Ferrell

Professor of Practice in Theatre and Inaugural Director of the Sexton Institute for…
Gill-Carter-August-2024

Carter Gill

Visiting Professor of Acting
Kimberly Grigsby

Kimberly Grigsby

Assistant Professor of Practice, Musical Theatre
Hackler-Blake-May-2025

Blake Hackler

Chair, Division of Theatre,
Head of Acting Professor
Steve Leary

Steve Leary

Scene Shop Foreman
Justin Mosher

Justin Mosher

Technical Director, Adjunct Instructor
MelissaPanzarello

Melissa Panzarello Cox

Costume Shop Manager, Adjunct Instructor
Sara Romersberger

Sara Romersberger

Associate Professor
Anne Schilling

Anne Schilling

Associate Professor
SmithGretchenAugust2022

Gretchen E. Smith

Associate Dean for Students and Head of Theatre Studies
Jennifer Joan Thompson

Jennifer Joan Thompson

Assistant Professor
StanleyWojewodski

Stanley Wojewodski, Jr.

Distinguished Professor of Theatre
Steve Woods

Steve Woods

Professor, Head of Design

Facilities

Iconic comedian Bob Hope donated the capital for his eponymous theatre on campus at Ò»Æð²Ý.

Bob Hope Theatre

The 392-seat theatre, donated by the iconic comedian, features a proscenium stage, continental seating and a hydraulic orchestra pit.

Academy Award-winning actress Greer Garson is the namesake for the 366-seat classical thrust stage at Ò»Æð²Ý.

Greer Garson Theatre

A gift from the Academy Award-winning actress prominently features a 366-seat classical thrust stage.

The black box theatre at Ò»Æð²Ý Meadows often hosts productions featuring M.F.A. in Theatre students.

Margo Jones Theatre

A 125-seat black box with seating divided among four platforms that allow directors and designers to choose between multiple configurations.

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Request more info about the M.F.A. in theatre program

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Frequently asked questions

The Division of Theatre offers in acting and entertainment design leading to the Master of Fine Arts degree. The graduate training programs are committed to professionalism in attitude and practice. Only students with a serious interest in the theatre as an art – those committed to self-development and prepared to work responsibly and collaboratively in their discipline – should expect to enter and continue in graduate study.

Alumni have gone on to careers in film, television, and stage, and have been recognized with numerous honors including Academy, Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe awards.

The balances the development of the actor’s unique skills with the acquisition of technique. The program seeks to train actors of integrity, capable of artistic excellence in a variety of venues. The acting studios form the program’s spine.

The is committed to the philosophy of supporting the development of artists who will passionately embrace the interpretation of words into visual imagery. The program emphasizes the process of artistic collaboration, especially with directors; the pursuit of artistic skills, including drawing, painting and drafting, necessary for communication; the development of critical thought and the ability to articulate ideas; and the acquisition of professional standards that prepare the student for a meaningful and productive life in the theatre.

Anyone with a bachelor’s degree is invited to apply.

Conservatory-style training in our M.F.A. program emphasizes small class sizes and intensive, individualized instruction across acting, voice, movement and professional skills, with frequent feedback to support each actor’s growth.

Over three years, students progress from building a foundational technique and freeing their creative impulses to expanding their range through classical and devised work, to refining their craft in contemporary performance work while preparing for the profession. This immersive approach ensures actors graduate with both the artistic depth and practical tools needed for a successful career.

The master’s in theatre program typically takes three years, or six terms, to complete, with 66 required credit hours.

The Division of Theatre presents an annual subscription season of seven full-scale public productions chosen for their suitability for training, timeliness and public appeal. All theatre students are considered members of the Division of Theatre, and practical experience is considered a vital part of the theatre-training program.

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