Acting
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The MFA in Acting program at the Conservatory provides a rigorous three-year conservatory training program nestled in the urban playground of the Kansas City metro. Students receive comprehensive training through studio coursework, devising and performance opportunities, and partnerships with professional regional theatres.
Course work focuses on foundations of presence, self-awareness, and storytelling through ensemble work, movement training with Alexander Technique, and voice rooted in Fitzmaurice Voicework®. Students will also experience the demands of heightened text, Meisner technique, Commedia dell’arte, clown, stage combat, dialects, voiceover and on-camera work. Capstone opportunities include an industry standard showcase, residencies with professional theatres, and the development of an original thesis performance.
- 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: 4-6 per semester
Why UMKC
Become a versatile actor
Learn to ground your work in the proper historical and cultural contexts through advanced script analysis, 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 perform with renowned institutions like the Unicorn Theatre, Coterie Theatre, Kansas City Actors Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre and more.
Learn from the best
Receive individualized attention and support from faculty committed to the art form and to your success.
After Graduation
Actors and directors work in a highly competitive field with varying levels of pay, often finding jobs with production studios, theaters, 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
- Performance Coaching (Intimacy, Dialects, Stage Combat)
- Teaching
- Artistic Leadership
- Theatre Company Management
- Communication
$51,358
Median salary/year
* Based on data from Lightcast.io for Actors (27-2011.00)
Potential Courses
Professional Acting Techniques I-IV
A four-semester deep-dive into the study and practice of presence, connection, and storytelling through classical and contemporary texts.
Movement
These courses explore the actor’s physical instrument through somatic practices, mask work, stage combat, and ensemble devising.
Voice Training
Four semesters of training for the speaking and singing voice, which includes development of skills in vocal dynamics, physical control, and relaxation for the actor, dialects and verse structure.
Visit the Academic Catalog for a full listing of courses and descriptions.
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
**UMKC will be accepting our next MFA Acting cohort in the fall of 2028. Recruitment will begin in the fall of 2027.**
- 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