Programs

The School of Theater offers undergraduate programs that lead to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree and graduate programs that lead to the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree.

Prospective students are invited to apply to one of the following:

Programs in Performance

·         Acting Program (BFA, MFA)

·         Directing Program (MFA only)

·         Writing for Performance Program (MFA only)

Programs in Design and Production

·         Scene Design Program (BFA, MFA)

With specializations available in:

Puppetry–Cotsen Center for Puppetry and the Arts (BFA, MFA levels)

Scene Painting (MFA level only)

·         Costume Design Program (BFA, MFA)

·         Lighting Design Program (BFA, MFA)

·         Sound Design Program (BFA, MFA)

·         Technical Direction Program (BFA, MFA)

With a specialization available in:

Properties Design and Management (MFA level only)

·         Management Program (BFA, MFA)

With specializations available in:

Producing (MFA level only)

Production Mangement (MFA level only)

Coursework for these programs is drawn from more than 130 classes offered by the School of Theater each semester. BFA programs require students to complete a minimum of 120 semester units—including a series of liberal arts/general education classes—while candidates for the MFA degree must complete at least 60 units. All students also have the option of taking various electives offered by the CalArts Schools of Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video and Music.

To graduate, students must fulfill all program and course requirements and pass faculty reviews of their artistic and academic progress—once in mid-residency and again prior to graduation.

See detailed program requirements and current course listings at calarts.edu/courses.