Program Overview

Introduction to the Theater Arts M.A. Program

The Theater Arts program at UC Santa Cruz offers a Master of Arts degree. This program requires transcripts and letters of recommendation from all applicants.

Degrees

The Theater Arts program offers a Master of Arts degree.

Requirements

The following are specific requirements for the Theater Arts M.A. program:

• A résumé or curriculum vitae is required.
• A statement of purpose is required, which should include:
  • Plans for graduate study and future profession
  • Past experience and current projects
  • Chosen field of emphasis and potential thesis project
• A personal history statement is required, which should include:
  • Information about personal background and its contribution to the intention to pursue a graduate degree
  • Perspective informed by life experiences, challenges, or opportunities
  • Potential contribution to social or cultural diversity at UCSC and in work as an artist
• A professional internship is required, which involves:
  • Securing and completing a professional internship of approximately 300 hours in an area of emphasis with a professional theater company
  • Supervision by a representative in the internship's host organization and assessment by a UCSC Theater Arts faculty member
• A work sample is required, which should be submitted according to the specific field:
  • Choreography: short performance videos
  • Design: digital portfolio or website
  • Directing: short performance videos and images
  • Performing/acting: short performance videos
  • Technical Theater: digital portfolio or website
  • Arts Management and Outreach: portfolio or 2-page document
  • Dramaturgy: dramaturgy casebook
  • Performance scholarship: writing sample
• A writing sample is required, which should be:
  • A paper or published document with a short description
  • An 8-12 page writing sample of scholarly work for performance scholarship applicants

Additional Information

The program requires a capstone thesis that can be project-based or scholarly in nature. Potential thesis projects include directing or choreography for Theater Arts productions, performance, hybrid performance, design, technical theater, stage management, dramaturgy, arts management, arts outreach, and scholarship in performance-related topics. Students who apply in relevant fields may consider applying for Barnstorm management, and if they receive that position, their thesis will be based on that experience.