Kejia Yu: Stepping Through Emotion.
Skene Staff
Scenic designer, Kejia Yu brings empathy, imagination, and emotional storytelling to every space she creates. Discover her journey and vision.
Scenic designer, Kejia Yu brings empathy, imagination, and emotional storytelling to every space she creates. Discover her journey and vision.
A powerful profile of Mexican actress and author Kelly Key, exploring creativity, motherhood, resilience, and the act of creating from truth.
Lighting designer Jennifer Gonzalez transforms story into emotion through light, celebrating culture, community, and underrepresented voices.
Jay Duckworth shares his proven method for building the perfect theater props list, tested on shows like Hamilton and Fun Home.
Lighting designer Miguel Pérez Cuesta reflects on the silent artistry of light and its power to move audiences through emotion.
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Pursuing a graduate degree in theatre can be a transformative step toward a professional career in performance, directing, design, or dramaturgy. As the 2026 application cycle gains momentum, many aspiring theatre makers are seeking out programs that offer rigorous training, distinguished faculty, and strong industry connections. The United States is home to several prestigious graduate theatre schools whose Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and related degrees support advanced artistic growth and professional development.
Below, we highlight five standout graduate theatre programs in the U.S., each known for excellence in areas such as acting, directing, playwriting, design, and production. Whether you’re preparing for stage, screen, or cross-disciplinary practice, these programs offer pathways to deepen your craft and expand your creative network.
Yale School of Drama is widely regarded as one of the most influential graduate theatre programs in the United States. The school offers Master of Fine Arts degrees in Acting, Directing, Playwriting, and Design, with a curriculum rooted in rigorous training, critical inquiry, and professional collaboration. Students work closely with faculty who are active practitioners while developing their craft through a demanding production schedule.
A defining feature of the program is its close relationship with Yale Repertory Theatre, where students gain hands-on experience in a professional regional theatre environment. This integration allows emerging artists to understand the realities of large-scale production while refining their artistic voice. Graduates of Yale School of Drama go on to careers in professional theatre, film, television, and academia, making it a strong choice for artists seeking deep training and long-term professional impact.
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Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama is one of the oldest and most respected theatre training programs in the country. The school offers MFA degrees in Acting, Directing, Design, and Production Technology and Management, with a curriculum that balances classical foundations and contemporary practice. Training emphasizes collaboration, discipline, and adaptability across performance and production roles.
The program is known for its integration of technology, design, and new media, preparing students for careers that span theatre, film, television, and emerging digital platforms. Strong industry connections and an emphasis on professional readiness support graduates as they transition into a wide range of performing arts careers. Carnegie Mellon is particularly well suited for students interested in technically rigorous, forward-looking theatre practice.
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NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts offers a flexible and interdisciplinary approach to graduate theatre education. The school provides MFA programs in Acting, Design for Stage and Film, and Dramatic Writing, encouraging students to develop both technical skill and personal artistic identity. Coursework blends studio training, academic study, and collaboration across disciplines.
Located in New York City, the program offers direct access to one of the world’s most active theatre ecosystems. Students regularly engage with professional artists, productions, and institutions while completing their training. Tisch graduates pursue careers in theatre, film, television, and new media, making the program a strong option for artists seeking a practice rooted in experimentation, professional exposure, and cross-disciplinary work.
Full program information
UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television offers MFA degrees in Acting, Directing, Playwriting, and Design, with a distinctive emphasis on cross-media storytelling. The program reflects the growing convergence of theatre, film, and television, preparing students to work fluidly across performance and production contexts.
Situated in Los Angeles, UCLA provides students with access to a broad professional network and opportunities that bridge live performance and screen-based work. Training combines studio practice, production experience, and scholarly engagement, supporting artists interested in hybrid careers. Graduates often pursue work in theatre, film, television, and education, making UCLA a compelling choice for artists navigating multiple creative industries.
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Brown University’s graduate theatre programs emphasize theatre as a site of research, experimentation, and interdisciplinary inquiry. The department offers advanced degrees that integrate performance, theory, and practice, encouraging students to engage critically with contemporary performance-making. Training often intersects with visual art, literature, and critical studies.
Rather than focusing solely on conservatory-style training, Brown supports artists interested in devising, experimental performance, dramaturgy, and academic research. Graduates frequently pursue careers in academia, independent performance, and interdisciplinary art-making. Brown is well suited for students seeking a graduate theatre experience grounded in intellectual rigor and artistic exploration.
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The University of Texas at Austin offers MFA degrees in Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Scenic Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, and Technical Production, combining professional-level training with strong academic support. The program emphasizes collaboration, research-driven practice, and engagement with both classical and contemporary performance.
Located in Austin, a city known for its vibrant arts and music culture, students benefit from a dynamic creative environment alongside a large research university. Training includes production work, design and performance labs, and interdisciplinary opportunities across campus. Graduates of UT Austin’s theatre programs pursue careers in professional theatre, education, design, and leadership roles within arts organizations, making it a strong option for artists seeking both depth and versatility in their training.
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These programs are renowned for their rigorous training, distinguished faculty, and strong industry connections, making them top choices for aspiring theatre professionals seeking to advance their education and careers.
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