UCLA School of Theater Film and Television
This LA acting school offers a 3-year master program where student actors explore a variety of techniques and approaches that prepares them for an acting career in any medium, genre or style. Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller and many others studied at this acting school in LA.
Students are required to take 94 units, 82 of which must be graduate level. Actors study stage and film acting, voice and speech, movement, Alexander techniques, theater history and more, and participate in various workshop classes, production labs and professional internships.
Performance opportunities: Actors appear in a full repertory season and a touring company production.
Career preparation: This is one of the acting schools in LA that takes full advantage of being located next to Hollywood. Students attend master classes where they get to workshop scenes with distinguished guest teachers that have included in the past Francis Ford Coppola, Anthony Hopkins and Annette Bening. Actors perform in a film created by the department. Graduating students appear in an industry showcase at the renowned Geffen Playhouse.
Degree: MFA in Acting.
Financial Aid: Need-based work-study programs and loans are available for resident tuition, as well as grants, fellowships, traineeships, teaching assistantships and graduate student researcher appointments. Nonresidents can apply for federal aid. The Department of Theater offers more than $400,000 each year in teaching assistantships and scholarships. Theater students can also receive support through awards like the WMA fellowship or the Sir Ian McKellan Acting Award.
What you’ll need to apply: Transcripts, statement of purpose, 3 letters of recommendation, headshot and resume, additional forms and audition (auditions are held at the acting university in LA, as well as in New York, Chicago and San Francisco). International students who speak English as a second language must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Acceptance rate: 12-15 students are accepted into the program.
Website: www.tft.ucla.edu