Acting
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Pursue your dream of becoming a professional actor in one of the nation’s top drama programs. This three-year program offers rigorous coursework, performance experiences and instruction from renowned faculty to help you develop the skills needed for a successful career in theater and film.
In the first year, you'll focus on foundational skills like dialect work, text analysis and physical characterization. Public performances begin in year two, along with ensemble singing, stage combat and advanced physical techniques. In year three, you'll intensify your public performance work, exploring a variety of play styles and practicing voice-over and on-camera acting. The program concludes with a thesis performance and oral defense along with an industry standard acting showcase.
- Program Type: Master's
- Academic Unit: Conservatory
- Degree Type: Master of Fine Arts
- Standard credit hours: 60
- Delivery Mode: In-person
- Typical Program Length: 3 years
- Typical Course Load: 5-6 per semester
Why UMKC
Become a versatile actor
Learn to ground your roles in the proper historical and cultural contexts through advanced script analysis coursework, and develop the physical and vocal techniques necessary to sustain a long-term performance career.
Perform and make connections
Take part in a program that provides you with professional exposure and helps you build contacts in the industry. Students in the Master of Fine Arts program regularly perform with renowned institutions like the Unicorn Theatre, Coterie Theatre, Starlight Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre and more.
Learn from the best
Receive individualized attention and support from renowned faculty committed to your success.
After Graduation
Actors and directors work in a highly competitive field with varying levels of pay. Those in the film and television industries tend to earn higher median wages, while professionals in live theater or smaller productions may face more financial challenges. Actors and directors can often find jobs with production studios, theaters, theme parks, broadcasting companies, advertising firms and other creative organizations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for actors and directors is projected to grow at a pace comparable to the average for all occupations. Growth is driven by the continued production of content for streaming platforms and live performances, as well as the increasing diversity of media formats.
The profession often requires long hours, irregular schedules, and the ability to work collaboratively under pressure. A master’s degree provides advanced skills in leadership, storytelling and performance techniques, improving competitiveness in a highly creative but competitive field.
Potential careers
- Stage actor
- Film actor
- Director
$51,208
Median salary/year
* Based on data from Lightcast.io for Actors (27-2011.00)
Potential Courses
Master Class in Acting
This course focuses on advanced studies in acting. It may be repeated for credit up to eight hours as content and guest artists change.
Actor Practicum
In this contemporary scene study class for actors, you'll test your acquired process skills with a major emphasis placed on characterization.
Introduction to Professional Directing
In the first part of the class, you'll dive deep into a variety of concepts related to drama, exploring how dramatists, critics and directors think about the theatrical experience. You'll also examine…
Related Programs and Pathways
I chose UMKC because of the professors and the city. And after one conversation with the faculty, I knew this was a place that would help me grow. They said they would let us be us. And they have! I've found out more about myself and my art aesthetic from here than I think I would anywhere else because of the great people I've gotten to work with and who support Michael being Michael, always.
Michael Oakes
Theatre
How to Apply
**The Acting MFA program is not accepting new applications for the fall 2026 semester**
- Gather your materials
- Official transcripts.
- Names and locations of previous college(s) and dates you attended.
- Citizenship, residency and visa information (if applicable).
- Transcripts and test scores may be sent in after the Dec. 15 Conservatory application deadline but must be received by UMKC Admissions by Feb. 1.
- Complete audition requirements
- As an URTA member school, we frequently attend audition dates around the country, as well as the virtual audition options. Details for those auditions can be found on the URTA website.
- Fill out our Audition Interest form for detailed audition information, where you will be asked to submit the following materials:
- Headshot/resume
- Either: a two-page essay addressing (1) the most memorable moment you’ve had in the theatre, and (2) a defining moment you’ve had in life (unrelated to theatre). Or submit an "un-essay" to respond to the two above questions. Your response can take any form that you’d like: free-writing, poetry, spoken word, video blog, film, a music playlist, collage, artwork, etc. We ask that if there is no text or spoken word involved in your response that you write a short artistic statement explaining how it relates to the questions.
- Two letters of recommendation to either be uploaded or sent after submission of the form.
- We would like to receive these materials by Feb. 7, 2025.
- Complete the online application
- $45 for domestic graduate students or $75 for international graduate students
- All application materials should be uploaded to your application status page for review by the Theatre faculty.
Have questions? Request information to have an admissions counselor contact you about the requirements for this program.
Application Dates
To Start Classes in Fall
Apply by: Dec. 15
Classes begin in August