Mfa programs acting

Acting Studio texts are drawn from Greek drama, Shakespeare, modern classics and absurdism, and a variety of contemporary authors. The focus of acting studio classes is to develop processes that can be applied to a wide variety of scripts and situations.

Suzuki-based physical training and Viewpoints are taken by all of the graduate acting and directing students every quarter.

The work is a lab for addressing physical foundations of acting process and the full involvement of the body in space. It includes elements of tempo and rhythm, concentration and power, and the relationship of real and imagined elements on the stage.

MFA actors appear in at least seven productions during their time in the School of Drama. Productions cover a wide breadth of period, genre, and style, in order to offer our students the maximum number of opportunities to practice the skills they are gaining in their training. Skip to main content.

The training is grounded in tradition and deep practice, and yet pointed toward the unknown, the undiscovered, and the impossible. Photo: Jim Carmody. Acting M. Classes Each year, intensive studio work in movement, voice, speech, and singing accesses, expands, and frees the physical body. Productions Actors work on classical and contemporary texts as well as new plays with graduate student, faculty, and guest professional directors.

Externships All graduate actors serve at least one professional residency with La Jolla Playhouse, ranging from supporting to lead roles alongside professional actors and directors of national and international stature. Research and Other Opportunities Funds are occasionally available for research, special technique workshops, and travel to auditions and festivals. Directing M. Playwriting M.

Stage Management M. Course Descriptions. Additional coursework includes on-camera technique, stage combat, devised and solo work, text analysis, specialized areas of voice and movement, audition techniques and business practices. With a strong foundation in the Meisner Technique, the first year of training puts rigorous emphasis on the authentic use of self and the collaborative process. The second year of training focuses on creating complex characters through application of the foundation work to scenes, exercises and performance.

Style work begins in the second half of the second year with a semester long focus on playing Shakespeare. The third year bridges the past and the present: encompassing a range of contemporary and period style work as well as integrated studies of the actor in new media. Third year students will work with a wide range of industry professionals. In the movement studio, emphasis is placed on the human body as an instrument of expression; on developing strength, alignment, flexibility, availability and stamina.

Voice and speech training centers on releasing habitual tension, increasing power and range, and utilizing specific speech choices. Every actor performs a minimum of one role per semester. Actors also work regularly in the development and production of new plays: both in workshop and in the annual Seabury Quinn Jr.

Collaborations with the School of Film are common, and actors will have ample opportunity to work on camera and build a professional reel. International students may submit digital auditions and interview via the online platform.