Directing Interviews

Each year we receive between 30 and 50 applications for our two positions. As a highly competitive program, we make our decisions based on your prior experience (many of our students have either professional directing experience or already hold one advanced degree), GRE scores, your recommendation letters and, most importantly, the half-hour interview.

While the GRE examination is not required for admission to the MFA in Directing, it is highly recommended. GRE scores can be a determining factor in our decision.

In preparing for your 30 minute directing interview, you may find the following advice to be of help.

Directors should be prepared to discuss at the interview:

WOYZECK, Georg Büchner
THE WINTER'S TALE, William Shakespeare
and a play you have directed

Prompt books are not encouraged. Well written critical reviews of your productions may be submitted. One or two of your directorial or script analysis papers may be submitted. An updated resume will be helpful if it includes more information than you have previously submitted. Please do not bring any video tapes unless expressly shot by you as video art and do not bring photos of your productions unless you have taken them yourself.

We invite you to bring examples of your work in allied arts, such as musical compositions (on tape), photography, scene designs, paintings, etc.

We would also be interested in copies (which we may keep) of plays you have written or your papers on the art of the director, the works of playwrights, or on theatrical critical theory.
None of the above is a requirement. We do intend, however, to ask you to discuss the work of an important stage director who has influenced you in a positive way, or has set an ideal model towards which you aspire, so it would be good to plan ahead for this part of the interview.

Applicants from Abroad

We are very interested in foreign applicants with English proficiency. The interview cannot be waived; however, so it will be necessary for you to travel to one of the interview sites. If it proves difficult to meet with us on one of the scheduled dates, we will try to meet you in California at your convenience.

Please be aware that the University of California offers limited support to foreign students in residence, and the admission of foreign nationals requires a guarantee of funds to complete our three-year program. If you or your family cannot provide such a guarantee, you should apply at once to alternate sources of tuition and living expenses, such as home government grants and private foundation support.

Dates for Applications and Interviews

All interviews for admission for Fall 2008 must be completed before February 28, 2008. The application deadline is January 31, 2008.

Directing interviews for direct and U/RTA applicants will be held at the following cities/dates in 2008:

New York: Saturday, January 26, 2008
Chicago: Saturday, February 2, 2008
Irvine: Saturday, February 16, 2008

The interview location will be provided when your interview is scheduled.

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