MFA in Screen Acting
Are you looking for world-class actor training and impactful industry mentorship in two of the world’s most iconic hubs of entertainment and culture?
The School of Theatre offers a Master of Fine Arts in Screen Acting in partnership with The Academy of Live & Recorded Arts (ALRA) in London. This terminal degree is an intensive two-year program, with year one delivered in Los Angeles and year two in London. The MFA in Screen Acting is designed to prepare graduates to work professionally in film, television and related recorded media. Students will gain invaluable experience working alongside, and networking with, industry professionals, including actors, directors, casting directors, writers, agents, and producers, in both LA and London. Students will also learn how to concept, develop, pitch, and produce their own original content.
The application window for Fall 2022 will open early this fall. Scroll down for more program information and details about the application and audition process.
Earn a screen acting MFA in two of the world's entertainment capitals
OCU continues to reach for the stars in everything they do, that now includes the MFA in Screen Acting Program. Little did I know half of my career would be spent in front of a camera. Thrilled with this news!
—Kristin Chenoweth,
BM '91, MM '93, OCU
Year One – Los Angeles
Students will spend their first year at our School of Theatre-Los Angeles location with courses delivered by OCU faculty and guest industry practitioners. We are located in Culver City, surrounded by some of the biggest production studios on the west coast, such as Amazon Studios, Anonymous Content, Jesse James Films, The Culver Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, TriStar Pictures, Apple+ Studios, HBO Studios, and Wonder Street, to name a few.
During this year students will be introduced to a systematic and holistic approach to preparing roles for the screen. Alongside this foundational study of acting technique, students will engage in multiple digital media projects of their own generating, a range of workshops and events with industry professionals, and a research project on an aspect of screen history or Film/TV theory.
Year One Curriculum Sequence
Semester 1
| Course Number | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THRE 5516 | Actor’s Core I This course consists of the independent classes Acting I, Voice & Speech I and Movement I. It explores the practical, artistic and interpersonal skills needed to be able to prepare a performance for the camera to a professional standard. Students will be assessed through a working journal, reflective statements, direct observation and small group performances. | 6 |
| THRE 5614 | Independent Projects I This course explores the practical, artistic and interpersonal skills students need to be able to concept, develop and produce (pre-production, production and post-production) original content for film, television and digital platforms. Students will complete a series of practical creative projects that will vary in genre, style, and format and length. Students will be assessed through a working journal, direct observation of process and small group practical projects. | 4 |
| THRE 5712 | Bridges to Industry I This course explores the business aspects of pursuing a career as an on-camera actor and content creator. Multiple Los Angeles based industry professionals will conduct workshops, panels and masterclasses related to theatrical and commercial casting; agents and managers; unions and contracts; script development processes; and other industry processes and protocols. Students will undertake group and individual research projects focused on aspects of recorded media and industry practices. | 2 |
| THRE 5752 | Acting for Commercials This course introduces you to the technique and skills of auditioning for commercials. The course culminates in a series of masterclasses delivered at a major Hollywood commercial casting office. You will be assessed through a working journal and a series of practical projects. | 2 |
| THRE 5331 | Critical Approaches to Film & Television This course introduces current critical theories, debates and discourses surrounding film, television, and digital media production and reception. The course will survey major critical lenses through which to analyze and critique a student’s individual work and seminal screen texts. The course is delivered by lecture/seminar and culminates in a research paper and verbal presentation of a topic of the student’s choosing. | 1 |
Semester 2
| Course Number | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THRE 5526 | Actor’s Core II This course builds upon Actor’s Core I and includes the individual classes Acting II, Voice & Speech II and Movement II. This course explores the practical, artistic and interpersonal skills needed to be able to prepare a performance for the camera to a professional standard. Included alongside Voice & Speech II is an intensive Voiceover and Voice Acting module. Movement II is complemented by an intensive Motion Caption module. Students will be assessed through a working journal, reflective statements, direct observation and small group performances. | 6 |
| THRE 5624 | Independent Projects II This course continues the work of Independent Projects I exploring the practical, artistic and interpersonal skills students need to be able to concept, develop, write and produce original content, with an additional focus on pitching/distributing content. Students will complete a series of practical creative projects that will vary in genre, style, and format and length. Students will be assessed through a working journal, direct observation of process and small group practical projects. | 4 |
| THRE 5722 | Bridges to Industry II This course builds upon Bridges to Industry I. Students will continue to explore the business aspects of pursuing a career as an on-camera actor and content creator. Multiple Los Angeles based industry professionals will conduct workshops, panels and masterclasses related to theatrical and commercial casting; agents and managers; unions and contracts; script development processes; and other industry processes and protocols. Students will undertake group and individual research projects focused on aspects of recorded media and industry practices. | 2 |
| THRE 5773 | Actor-Industry Lab In this course, small pods of 2-4 industry guests work with students on a biweekly basis. The topic of each industry week varies, including auditions, professional actor materials, scene work and creative projects. Each pod is unique, with guests hailing from different areas of the industry. Students will be assessed through a working journal, reflective statements and direct observation. | 3 |
Total: 30 Credit Hours
Year Two - The Academy of Live & Recorded Arts (ALRA) in London
The second year is delivered by OCU and ALRA faculty and staff in London. The primary focus of the second year is the acquisition and application of a range of specific technical skills in voice, movement, stage combat, and improvisation. Students will work on “historically distanced” content, requiring a degree of physical, vocal, and cultural transformation and an extended ‘Mike Leigh style’ improvised short film. Students will continue to work on practical projects in partnership with other MA/MFA students at a range of London film schools and studios. The year culminates in the development, production, and presentation of a thesis production project.
Year Two Curriculum Sequence
Semester Three
| Course Number | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THRE 6517 | Styles and Techniques I This course explores the practical acting, voice, movement and special skills required to create and sustain a performance of historically-distanced or heavily stylized (non-contemporary) characterizations. Building on the historic strength of British actor training practice, students will learn discrete skills and techniques that will enable them to develop characters and behaviors consistent with stories from the past or outside their own personal cultural milieu. Students will be assessed through direct observation of their progress and achievement, and a working journal. | 7 |
| THRE 6617 | Production Project Through active participation the student will write/devise, act in and direct a short film. The film will be showcased in a London screen venue and they will have the opportunity to pitch the film as a pilot for an extended series or longer form film project to London industry professionals. | 7 |
Semester Four
| Course Number | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THRE 6527 | Styles and Techniques II This course continues the work of Style and Technique I. Students will explore the practical acting, voice, movement and special skills required to create and sustain a performance of historically-distanced or heavily stylized (non-contemporary) characterizations. Building on the historic strength of British actor training practice, students will learn discrete skills and techniques that will enable them to develop characters and behaviors consistent with stories from the past or outside their own personal cultural milieu. Students will be assessed through direct observation of their progress and achievement, and a working journal. | 7 |
| THRE 6629 | Thesis Project Through active participation the student will write/devise, act in and direct a short film. The film will be showcased in a London screen venue and they will have the opportunity to pitch the film as a pilot for an extended series or longer form film project to London industry professionals. | 9 |
Total: 30 Credit Hours
Application & Audition Details
The application window for Cohort I (Fall 2021 start) is now closed. The application window for Cohort II (Fall 2022 start) will open early this fall.
Admission to the MFA in Screen Acting program consists of:
- An official application to Oklahoma City University (see details below)
- A video audition package or participation in an audition event attended by the Program Director (see details & requirements below)
- A callback and interview with the Program Director
Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree to be eligible for admission to the MFA in Screen Acting program.
| OCU Application Materials | - Application Form - 2 Letters of Recommendation - Statement of Motivation: The Statement of Motivation is a one-page or less document that outlines your personal and professional interests and goals and how you hope the MFA in Screen Acting program will serve these. Please feel free to include other relevant information. - Official Transcript(s) from any institution(s) from which you earned credit towards your undergraduate degree. |
| Audition Details & Requirements* | - 2 contrasting monologues using existing text. The monologues should be video recorded and not exceed a total of 3 minutes. Please include a “slate” with your name and the title/writer of each piece. - Performance Resume - Headshot or Photo - Reel (if available) Audition materials MUST be submitted digitally using the online Acceptd portal. Audition materials will not be accepted by any other means. *If participating in an outside audition event attended by the Program Director (SETC LiNK, URTA, SETC Graduate Auditions, etc), your audition and callback at that event will qualify as your audition submission. You do not need to submit a separate video audition via Acceptd. |
| Timeline & Important Dates | Updates to the application, audition/callback and admission timeline for Cohort II (Fall 2022) will be posted by July 1, 2021. |
Thanks for your interest in OCU’s MFA in Screen Acting program. We look forward to receiving your application and audition materials and we hope to see you in Los Angeles and London soon!
Course Descriptions
5331 • Critical Approaches to Film and Television
This course introduces current critical theories, debates and discourses surrounding film, television, and digital media production and reception. The course will survey major critical lenses through which to analyze and critique a student’s individual work and seminal screen texts. The course is delivered by lecture/seminar and culminates in a research paper and verbal presentation of a topic of the student’s choosing.
5516 • Actor’s Core I
This course consists of the independent classes Acting I, Voice & Speech I and Movement I. It explores the practical, artistic and interpersonal skills needed to be able to prepare a performance for the camera to a professional standard. Students will be assessed through a working journal, reflective statements, direct observation and small group performances.
5526 • Actor’s Core II
This course builds upon Actor’s Core I and includes the individual classes Acting II, Voice & Speech II and Movement II. This course explores the practical, artistic and interpersonal skills needed to be able to prepare a performance for the camera to a professional standard. Included alongside Voice & Speech II is an intensive Voiceover and Voice Acting module. Movement II is complemented by an intensive Motion Caption module. Students will be assessed through a working journal, reflective statements, direct observation and small group performances.
5614 • Independent Projects I
This course explores the practical, artistic and interpersonal skills students need to be able to concept, develop and produce (pre-production, production and post-production) original content for film, television and digital platforms. Students will complete a series of practical creative projects that will vary in genre, style, and format and length. Students will be assessed through a working journal, direct observation of process and small group practical projects.
5624 • Independent Projects II
This course continues the work of Independent Projects I exploring the practical, artistic and interpersonal skills students need to be able to concept, develop, write and produce original content, with an additional focus on pitching/distributing content. Students will complete a series of practical creative projects that will vary in genre, style, and format and length. Students will be assessed through a working journal, direct observation of process and small group practical projects.
5712 • Bridges to Industry I
This course explores the business aspects of pursuing a career as an on-camera actor and content creator. Multiple Los Angeles based industry professionals will conduct workshops, panels and masterclasses related to theatrical and commercial casting; agents and managers; unions and contracts; script development processes; and other industry processes and protocols. Students will undertake group and individual research projects focused on aspects of recorded media and industry practices.
5722 • Bridges to Industry II
This course builds upon Bridges to Industry I. Students will continue to explore the business aspects of pursuing a career as an on-camera actor and content creator. Multiple Los Angeles based industry professionals will conduct workshops, panels and masterclasses related to theatrical and commercial casting; agents and managers; unions and contracts; script development processes; and other industry processes and protocols. Students will undertake group and individual research projects focused on aspects of recorded media and industry practices.
5752 • Acting for Commercials
This course introduces you to the technique and skills of auditioning for commercials. The course culminates in a series of masterclasses delivered at a major Hollywood commercial casting office. You will be assessed through a working journal and a series of practical projects.
5773 • Actor-Industry Lab
In this course, small pods of 2-4 industry guests work with students on a biweekly basis. The topic of each industry week varies, including auditions, professional actor materials, scene work and creative projects. Each pod is unique, with guests hailing from different areas of the industry. Students will be assessed through a working journal, reflective statements and direct observation.
6517 • Style and Techniques I
This course explores the practical acting, voice, movement and special skills required to create and sustain a performance of historically-distanced or heavily stylized (non-contemporary) characterizations. Building on the historic strength of British actor training practice, students will learn discrete skills and techniques that will enable them to develop characters and behaviors consistent with stories from the past or outside their own personal cultural milieu. Students will be assessed through direct observation of their progress and achievement, and a working journal.
6527 • Style and Techniques II
This course continues the work of Style and Technique I. Students will explore the practical acting, voice, movement and special skills required to create and sustain a performance of historically-distanced or heavily stylized (non-contemporary) characterizations. Building on the historic strength of British actor training practice, students will learn discrete skills and techniques that will enable them to develop characters and behaviors consistent with stories from the past or outside their own personal cultural milieu. Students will be assessed through direct observation of their progress and achievement, and a working journal.
6617 • Production Project
Through active participation students will prepare, produce and record a number of short- and longer-form dramas for the camera. The projects will afford the student an opportunity to apply the skills and techniques acquired at The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in a practical, sustained way.
6629 • Thesis Project
Through active participation the student will write/devise, act in and direct a short film. The film will be showcased in a London screen venue and they will have the opportunity to pitch the film as a pilot for an extended series or longer form film project to London industry professionals.
Tuition
Tuition: $936 per credit hour
Special Program Fees: $225 per credit hour
60-Credit Hour MFA Total: $69,660
Academic Calendar
Year One Calendar (Los Angeles & London)
Semester 1
First Day of Class: August 23, 2021
Labor Day (no class): September 6, 2021
Fall Break (no class): October 18-19, 2021
Thanksgiving Break (no class): November 24-26, 2021
Final Exams: Week of December 13-17, 2021
Semester 2
First Day of Class: January 10, 2022
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no class): January 17, 2022
Spring Break (no class): March 14-18, 2022
Final Exams: Week of May 2-6, 2022
Year Two Calendar (Los Angeles & London)
Semester 1
First Day of Class: August, 2022 (Date TBA)
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding the program or the audition process, please email us at ocutheatreauditions@okcu.edu.
For more information on the admission process or to apply, please visit Graduate Admissions.