Graduate Theatre Programs Application Process

• Boston University Priority Application Deadline:  January 15th   
• URTA Application Deadline:  January 2nd  
• Deadline for URTA attendees to submit their BU Graduate Application: February 16th 
• The 2024 URTA’s (University Resident Theater Association) will take place during these dates:
  • Graduate Design & Production:
  • In-Person (Chicago):  Jan. 24 – 26, 2024
  • Live-Virtual Interviews (via video conferencing): Jan. 17, 2024
• Graduate Directing & Stage Management:
  • Live-Virtual Interviews (via video conferencing):  Feb. 2 & 3, 2024

Early application is advised. Applicants submitting material after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

MFA Design, Production & Management and Artisan Certificate applicants should anticipate submitting material to two locations.  Please first submit an application via the Boston University College of Fine Arts Graduate Application as detailed below, and then move on to the Artistic Portfolio Section to complete Acceptd.

There, you will be asked to upload:

• Your Resume in .pdf format
• Official Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. Transcripts must be requested by you and uploaded to your application. Please do not send them.
• A Personal Statement; describe your career path and ambitions and why you wish to study at Boston University at this time.
• A Design & Production Essay; write a short essay that discusses what is valuable to you in pursuing a life as a theatre artist and what value you believe theatre can bring to a community of people.
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from theater professionals. These may be submitted online using the supplied Letter of Recommendation Form.
• A non-refundable application fee of $95

How to Submit the Application

You may access your application and change your answers as many times as you like before submitting it by using your web login from any computer.

1. Enter the Application. Select “Apply” on your department page.
2. Fill Out the Application. This is where all of your personal and application specific information is entered.
3. Download Forms. Download all supplemental forms (resume, essay, etc.)  that are required.
4. Run the Application Checker. This gives you the ability to check if all the information needed to submit your application has been entered.
5. Submit Application. This allows you to pay using your credit card and send your completed application to Boston University.
6. English Language Proficiency. Click here to learn more about requirements for English Language Proficiency.

Artistic Portfolio submissions are also required for all MFA Design, Production & Management and Artisan Certificate applicants. Please find your desired degree, and upload the corresponding Portfolio materials to our School of Theatre Acceptd platform, which will be used in the preliminary selection process.  Your Portfolio can be accepted at any time, but will only be reviewed after your application has been submitted via the CFA Graduate Application. Applicants may upload up to 18 files, and may submit the following

• Images – in .jpg, .png, .pdf, or gif format
• Videos – in .mov, .wmv, .flv, .wp4, or .mp3 format
• Media – as links hosted on YouTube, Vimeo, or SoundCloud

Submissions that do not adhere to the requirements will not be considered.

After review of all applications submitted to both the CFA Graduate Application and through Acceptd, a small number of applicants will be invited to a live interview.

Scene Design

Please feature one designed show organized into a designer’s package.  This should include, but not be limited to: research (visual, sociologic, historic); abstract response; production concept; scene breakdown; sketches; renderings; painters elevations; drafting; any paperwork generated during the design and production process; and photos of models.  Applicants should also include photos of the finished production.

Lighting Design

Please feature one designed show organized into a designer’s package.  This should include, but not be limited to: research (historic, sociologic, light, color); emotional response; production concept; scene breakdown; sketches; magic sheet(s); cue synopsis; plot, section, hook-up; any paperwork generated during the design and production process; and photos of lit models.  Applicants should also include photos of the finished production.

Sound Design

Applicants should include one designed show organized into a designer’s package.  This should include, but not be limited to: research (period, music, location, characters, historical people); emotional response; production concept; scene breakdown/analysis of the play; sound breakdown by scene; source list; any paperwork generated in building cues; loudspeaker plot; and system drawings.  Applicants should also include cue examples—finished cues, partially assembled cues with accompanying description, and/or software, which could be printouts of screen captures.

Costume Design

Please feature one designed show organized into a designer’s package.  This should include, but not be limited to: research (visual, fashion, historic); emotional response; production concept; character breakdown; sketches; renderings with swatches; design spec sheets; and any paperwork generated during the design and production process.  Applicants should also include photos of the finished production.

Costume Production

Applicants should include materials from one designed show organized into a production package. This should include, but not be limited to: photographs of finished costumes; detailed photographs that show sewing and/or craft proficiency; patterns and pattern research; and a mission statement. Applicants should also include photos of the finished production.

Technical Production

Applicants should include materials from one produced show organized into a technical package.  This should include, but not be limited to: production concept; drafting of realized scenery for construction purposes (may be both CAD and hand drafting); examples of budget tracking for produced scenery; list of computer proficiency-platforms, software (CAD, spreadsheet, File Maker, MS Word, etc.); and a mission statement.  Applicants should also include photos of the finished production.

Production Management

Applicants should include materials that showcase their voice and style as a theatre artist and production manager. For some applicants, this may mean materials from a single project they production managed organized into a production package; for others this may mean samples of work from multiple projects, including production management adjacent work (such as stage management or technical direction), depending on personal experience. Applicants are encouraged to include work in the portfolio that highlights their skills in communication and collaboration, such as production meeting notes, budget plans, and calendars/schedules, as well as photos and production documentation that give a sense of project scope and responsibilities.

Scene Painting Artisan Certificate

The sample portfolio should feature examples of Scenic Painting projects and production work. Please include photos of original artwork provided as well as indications of process and samples of how you achieved the final product.  Applicants should also include photos of drawings, draftings and any other applicable work product that highlights your skills and areas of interest.

• Boston University Priority Application Deadline:  January 15th   
• URTA Application Deadline:  January 2nd  
  • deadline for URTA attendees to submit their BU Graduate Application: February 25th 

Early application is advised. Applicants submitting material after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

MFA Directing applicants should anticipate submitting material to two locations. First, applicants must submit an application via the Boston University College of Fine Arts Graduate Application.

There, you will be asked to upload:

• Your Resume – list artistic work with dates
• Official Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. Transcripts must be requested by you and uploaded to your application. Please do not send them.
• A Personal Statement; describe your career path and ambitions and why you wish to study at Boston University at this time.
• Two (2) Production Essays:
  • Choose a play you have directed and write a passionate essay. Include an analysis of the script, conceptual and design ideas, and an explanation of your personal connection to the work.
  • Choose and justify a three-play season for a theater and audience of your own imagining.
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from theater professionals. These may be submitted online using the supplied Letter of Recommendation Form.
• A non-refundable application fee of $95.

How to Submit the Application

You may access your application and change your answers as many times as you like before submitting it by using your web login from any computer.

1. Enter the Application. Select “Apply” on your department page.
2. Fill Out the Application. This is where all of your personal and application specific information is entered.
3. Download Forms. Download all supplemental forms (resume, essay, etc.)  that are required.
4. Run the Application Checker. This gives you the ability to check if all the information needed to submit your application has been entered.
5. Submit Application. This allows you to pay using your credit card and send your completed application to Boston University.
6. English Language Proficiency. Click here to learn more about requirements for English Language Proficiency.

PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION

Artistic Portfolio submissions are also required for all MFA Directing applicants.  Please submit the following materials through our School of Theatre Acceptd platform, which will be used in the preliminary selection process.  Your Portfolio can be accepted at any time, but will only be reviewed after your application has been submitted via the CFA Graduate Application.

MFA Directing Portfolios should include materials from two (2) Directed Productions.  These submissions should present evidence of skill, sophistication, superior preparation, and talent.  Please also upload the following to the Acceptd platform.

Examples of materials, but not limited to:

• Production concepts; scene breakdowns/play analyses; research; character breakdowns; emotional responses; artistic/mission statements; budget plans; prompt books
• Photos/videos of the finished production (please do not submit full length videos)

After review of all applications submitted to both the CFA Graduate Application and through Acceptd, a small number of applicants will be invited to a live interview.

Please note: This program is designed for stage directors only. Students wishing to pursue a master’s program in Film and Television Directing should contact the Boston University College of Communication.