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Theatre and Dance Graduate Programs

With a strong focus on hands-on learning in a rigorous production environment, the WVU School of Theatre and Dance MFA program provides you with valuable experience to develop and refine your craft, enabling you to graduate with an impressive portfolio of realized work.

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The School of Theatre and Dance offers a three-year Master of Fine Arts degree in five areas: acting, costuming, lighting, scenery and technical direction. These 60-credit-hour programs can be completed in six semesters (three years).

For all programs except the Acting MFA, applications are accepted every year and students are admitted on a rolling basis. The School of Theatre and Dance accepts a class of 6-8 actors to the Acting MFA program once every three years. The next application cycle will begin in December 2026 for a Fall 2027 start.

Ready to Apply?

Prospective graduate students in theatre and dance are required to have completed an appropriate undergraduate degree at an accredited institution.

Assistantships

Assistantships are available, offering a tuition waiver, stipend and health insurance. Opportunities are available in teaching, publicity and branding efforts for the School of Theatre and Dance, or collaborating with West Virginia Public Theatre, our affiliate professional theatre.

International Students

WVU is a school with international reach. While our students, scholars and partners come from 110 countries, all 50 states and some U.S. territories, they are united by the Mountaineer pride and school spirit for which our campus is known. Learn more.

Questions?

  • For information related to the MFA in Acting, contact Jessica Morgan, Associate Professor of Stage Movement and Director of Graduate Studies, at 304-293-6035 or via email at Jessica.Morgan2@mail.wvu.edu.
  • For information related to the MFA in Design and Technology programs, contact Steven Neuenschwander at 304-293-7088 or via email at Steven.Neuenschwander@mail.wvu.edu.
  1. Step One:

    Apply to West Virginia University.

    Follow the instructions for applying to WVU according to your needs: as a first-time applicant, a second-degree applicant, a non-degree applicant or an international applicant. This application will require you to upload your transcripts, resume, letter of intent, three letters of recommendation, and prompt you to pay an application fee. The GRE is not required for admission.

  2. Step two (Design and Tech):

    Portfolio Review

    MFA Design and Technology Programs include Scenery Design and Technology, Costume Design and Technology, Lighting Design and Technology, and Technical Direction. We accept applications every year and admit students on a rolling basis. Acceptance is determined after an interview and portfolio review.

    Register for Portfolio Review
  3. Step Two (Acting):

    MFA Acting Audition

    The School of Theatre and Dance accepts a class of 6-8 actors to the Acting MFA program once every three years. The next application cycle will begin in December 2026 for a Fall 2027 start.

    The audition registration will ask you to identify where you will perform your audition. WVU attends the live URTA auditions in Philadelphia and Chicago as well as the online dates in January and February and the SETC Graduate Auditions. On-site auditions and interviews on the WVU campus in Morgantown, West Virginia, will also be available. Applicants who are not able to attend any of the above dates may submit an audition electronically. 

    Register for Audition

Student REsources

Whether you're looking for financial assistance, ways you can be more involved, performance and production procedures or anything else related to your education in the WVU School of Theatre and Dance, we're here for you.

Admissions

We're excited to welcome you to the School of Theatre and Dance in the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts and Media.

Read More: Admissions

Mentorship, Internships and Careers

We want to make sure students are prepared for life after college, and the best way to do that is through internships and other real-world learning experiences.

Read More: Mentorship, Internships and Careers

Casting Policy

Only students enrolled in and pursuing either a major (BA, BFA, MFA, and MDS) or minor within the School of Theatre & Dance are eligible to audition for Main Stage and Falbo Series productions.

Read More: Casting Policy

Production Schedules

Production calendar and meeting schedules.

Read More: Production Schedules

Rehearsal Room Policy

Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis if not already reserved in the building schedule.

Read More: Rehearsal Room Policy
Questions? Contact the WVU School of Theatre and Dance office at theatre@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-2020.

Places and Spaces

Learn, rehearse, collaborate and perform in a variety of studios and concert theatres in the Canady Creative Arts Center.

Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre

The Clay Concert Theatre is used by the College of Creative Arts as well as WVU's Arts and Entertainment series. As the largest venue in the CCAC, it hosts music concerts, musical theatre performances, dance performances, and of course, graduations.

Read More: Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre

Antoinette E. Falbo Theatre

The Falbo Theatre hosts opera performances, dance concerts and theatre classes. A movable seating bank for 200 allows the space to be customized for each audience.

Read More: Antoinette E. Falbo Theatre

Dance Studio at E. Moore Hall

The WVU Dance Studio, located on the top floor of historic Elizabeth Moore Hall on the downtown campus, boasts a 40' x 30' Marley floor and arched windows for plenty of natural light.

Read More: Dance Studio at E. Moore Hall

Gladys G. Davis Theatre

The Davis Theatre creates an immersive experience for actors and audiences in 3 to 4 School of Theatre & Dance productions each year.

Read More: Gladys G. Davis Theatre

Scene Shop

Sets that create atmosphere in School of Theatre & Dance productions are designed and built on-site by our theatre students and faculty.

Read More: Scene Shop

Vivian Davis Michael Laboratory Theatre

The Vivian Davis Michael Laboratory Theatre is used for alternative style works, as well as traditional smaller pieces.

Read More: Vivian Davis Michael Laboratory Theatre

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