Program Overview

Introduction to the MFA Acting Program

The MFA Acting Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in acting, preparing them for a successful career in the theatre industry. The program is built around the concept of "The Arc of Training," which spans three years and focuses on the development of the actor's craft.

The Arc of Training

Year One: Foundations

The first year of training is focused on building foundations. Process takes precedence over performance, and actors begin a daily regimen of practice in voice, speech, movement, singing, Alexander Technique, scene study, and acting classes. Guest artist workshops often supplement regular offerings, and actors learn basic tools for an effective approach to a script, mainly with modern realistic texts. Additional courses in graduate research and theatre history round out the first year of training. Most first-year actors begin to work in the Clarence Brown Theatre (CBT) in A Christmas Carol, but casting is kept to one or two shows in the season to favor training priorities. Actors may also be assigned understudy roles.

Year Two: Transformation

In the second year, actors apply basic tools to more complex tasks and material. Actors direct their increasing freedom into more varied forms, and the work extends into the use of heightened language and speech and accent analysis. The work on availability of self moves into characterization, and work with modern material moves to work with period and style. A major emphasis of the year is the effective and impactful use of language. With some exceptions, actors are steadily in Clarence Brown productions or projects.

Year Three: Integration and Graduation

The third year is about continuing the training, integrating the work of the first two years, working in the CBT, and graduating into the profession. Studio work continues but is more about putting technique together than breaking it down into parts. Actors take fuller control of their creative process, and each actor develops and realizes a Project in Lieu of Thesis (PILOT) that culminates with a performance component. Production work is more prominent, and faculty work in more of a coaching capacity. Some actors have opportunities to teach beginner undergraduate acting classes and/or to assist senior faculty in selected courses. In selecting the CBT season, more attention is turned to providing featured roles for third-year actors.

Film and Voice Acting Training

The core of the MFA acting training is in live theatre, but the program also recognizes the importance of preparing actors for work in a variety of media. Consistent training in acting for camera and voice acting is provided, and recent years have seen sustained collaborations, workshops, and seminars from guest directors, actors, alumni, casting directors, and agents in acting for film, short filmmaking, auditioning for camera, and voice acting. Camera and voice-acting experience are also integrated into regular courses.

Guest Artists and Industry Professionals

The program brings professional directors, actors, designers, casting directors, talent agents, teachers, and alumni from around the country and abroad to work with students in CBT productions, workshops, seminars, and classes, both in-person and online. A typical academic year/production season could feature between 10-20 guests in classes or productions, providing tangible networking and community support to students.

Program Philosophy

The program's philosophy is encapsulated in the words of Clarence Brown: "The mixing up of young actors and designers with first-class professionals is manifestly the only right method of training future theatre artists." This approach underlines the program's commitment to providing students with a comprehensive and practical education, preparing them for a successful career in the theatre industry.