MFA Directing 2020... how we feelin?

[TChicagoS]

On 2/8/2020 at 4:49 PM, TChicagoS said:

On 2/8/2020 at 4:49 PM, TChicagoS said:

Maybe this is helpful for those following along, also this changes hourly so feel free to add your updates!  This is only from this thread and hear-say, so don't take this as final word on anything. 

Had or/are in Final Interviews: 
Northwestern - In Process of Final Interviews 
Columbia - Had Finals 2/1 wkend

Yale - Callbacks Scheduled various
Rejections Sent (for no callbacks)

FSU - Visits Scheduled 2/14 wend
CMU - Visits Scheduled 2/14 weekend
DePaul - Visits Scheduled 2/14 weekend
Rejections Sent (for no callbacks)

UCLA - Visits Scheduled 2/16 week

Boston U. - Interviews (or visits?) Scheduled this upcoming weekend and next 

S Lawrence - Visits Scheduled 3/6 wkend
UT Austin - Visits Scheduled
Rejections Sent (for campus visits)

UCSD - In Process of Second Interviews 
Rejections Sent (for next round of interviews)

Initial Offers Made (some, maybe not all): 

Iowa

Illinois State University

Still Waiting on word from:
Indiana (second interviews)
Texas State (second interviews)

Brooklyn College (final interview invites within two weeks)

UNCG (Final decisions in March) 

UT Austin (Final decisions made by March 15th)

Alabama
UMass Amherst

IDK ?‍♀️:
CalArts

 

 

[TheatreGuy123]

Does anyone have any industry info on the UCLA MFA Directing program? Heard anything about it? Know anyone that went there? 

[Eccyclema]

9 hours ago, TheatreGuy123 said:

Does anyone have any industry info on the UCLA MFA Directing program? Heard anything about it? Know anyone that went there? 

I don't know anything about the program itself, but I did once take a Greek Chorus workshop from Michael Hackett that was incredible/life-changing. And that was enough to make me curious/a little regretful that I didn't look into it as an option. So there's that.

How the "industry" views a program can be hard to pin down, I might start by looking at the bios of professors and where they have worked to determine potential network connections.

[ctbck]

10 hours ago, TheatreGuy123 said:

Does anyone have any industry info on the UCLA MFA Directing program? Heard anything about it? Know anyone that went there? 

I have a friend who went their straight out of undergrad. She was primarily interested in film and has produced stuff more than she's directed since attending. What she has directed look to be shorts based on her IMDB. If you'd like, I can connect you two. 

[Eccyclema]

Just got an email saying I was waitlisted for CMU, surprising since I didn't receive any follow-up after my Skype interview, but more heartening than an outright rejection for sure!

[LittleViking131]

16 hours ago, TheatreGuy123 said:

Does anyone have any industry info on the UCLA MFA Directing program? Heard anything about it? Know anyone that went there? 

Alan Patrick Kenny, who teaches at OU, went to UCLA. I'm sure if you Google him, you will find a website. He might be able to provide "insider" thoughts, if that helps.

[Lonelytraveller127]

@Eccyclema congrats! I am on the CMU wait list as well. 

[LittleViking131]

Just got an invite to visit U Mass Amherst for their Directing program. I am extending my stay in Boston and doing a little self-drive to western Mass' to visit with them.

No word on Indiana yet...

[GoodToGodot]

On 2/12/2020 at 7:12 AM, Eccyclema said:

I don't know anything about the program itself, but I did once take a Greek Chorus workshop from Michael Hackett that was incredible/life-changing. And that was enough to make me curious/a little regretful that I didn't look into it as an option. So there's that.

How the "industry" views a program can be hard to pin down, I might start by looking at the bios of professors and where they have worked to determine potential network connections.

Michael is so great - I did a Shakespeare workshop with both him and Rodney Cottier in the Fall when I was first applying. So awesome. 

[Lonelytraveller127]

Break legs to all who have finalist interviews this weekend!  I for one am nervous as hell!  

[TheatreGuy123]

Doing my UCLA callback via Zoom. Live streaming a scene for them. Theres a first for everything lol

[Eccyclema]

2 hours ago, TheatreGuy123 said:

Doing my UCLA callback via Zoom. Live streaming a scene for them. Theres a first for everything lol

That's WILD! 

[LittleViking131]

16 hours ago, TheatreGuy123 said:

Doing my UCLA callback via Zoom. Live streaming a scene for them. Theres a first for everything lol

A scene? Like you prepared or you directed through Zoom?

[TheatreGuy123]

3 hours ago, LittleViking131 said:

A scene? Like you prepared or you directed through Zoom?

I couldn't make it to the callback weekend so they asked me to pick a scene from their options, get actors, stage it, and then have a zoom interview with during which the actors perform the scene. 

[LittleViking131]

On 2/15/2020 at 12:32 PM, TheatreGuy123 said:

I couldn't make it to the callback weekend so they asked me to pick a scene from their options, get actors, stage it, and then have a zoom interview with during which the actors perform the scene. 

So interesting! What an experience for you and your actors!

[Eccyclema]

How's everyone doing? Any insights from finals weekends or news to share?

I've been interviewing current students at a particular program (gonna keep it on the DL for now since I think that program is going to make final decisions soon). So that's been insightful.

[theatremeg12]

Congrats to everyone on interviews! Good luck to all! 
Does anyone happen to know if Amherst does interviews in waves? I know some directors have heard, but I have no idea about the other specialties. 

[Andy404]

Have another interview coming up this week. What are some "must ask" questions you all have been asking during your interviews?

[LittleViking131]

On 2/21/2020 at 9:31 PM, Andy404 said:

Have another interview coming up this week. What are some "must ask" questions you all have been asking during your interviews?

What school?

[GoodToGodot]

UCLA offers have been sent FYI

 

I was accepted, not sure to whom they've sent them or how many spots they've offered. Typically only 2 are admitted. 

Edited February 24, 2020 by GoodToGodot
Additional Info

[LittleViking131]

BU's offers & rejections went out as well!

[Eccyclema]

Congrats @GoodToGodot!!!

[GoodToGodot]

6 minutes ago, Eccyclema said:

Congrats @GoodToGodot!!!

Thank you mucho!!

[Tui77]

Hi Everyone! 

Long time lurker here. I only applied to Brooklyn College this year so kinda late to the process in general. I have my interview next week. Anyone have any advice who interviewed with them at the URTAS or over the last few weeks? What kind of questions did they ask?  

Thank you! 

 

[GoodToGodot]

UCLA and Alabama decisions have been sent