University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The MFA in Theatre at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is an advanced, conservatory-style programme balancing practical studio work, creative projects and scholarly research. Students typically study across one or more specialist tracks such as Acting, Directing, Design/Technical Production, or Playwriting, while also engaging with courses that situate practice within Pacific, Asian, Indigenous and transnational theatrical contexts.

• Core studio practice: advanced acting techniques, movement, vocal training, ensemble work, rehearsal methodology and scene study.
• Directing and dramaturgy: text analysis, rehearsal processes, production planning, contemporary directing approaches and collaborative leadership.
• Design and technical theatre: scenic design, lighting, sound, costume, stagecraft, production management and the use of new technologies.
• Playwriting and composition: craft of dramatic writing, development workshops, dramaturgical feedback and staged readings.
• Theatre history and theory: scholarly inquiry into performance history, critical theory, and specialised seminars on Pacific performance, Asian theatre traditions and Indigenous practices.
• Research and professional practice: methods in practice-as-research, thesis or capstone project, grant-writing, community-engaged theatre and portfolio development.

Programme structure typically combines coursework, supervised production assignments and a culminating creative thesis or practicum. Students work closely with faculty, guest artists and the department's performance venues to mount public productions and presentations as part of their training.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to hold a bachelor’s degree in theatre, performing arts or a related field, or to demonstrate equivalent professional experience. Entry commonly requires submission of an application form, academic transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining artistic goals, and a resume or CV detailing performance and production experience.

• Audition/Interview: most tracks require a live or recorded audition or an interview with a faculty panel; directors and designers often submit portfolios or design samples.
• Work samples: actors submit video excerpts of recent work; playwrights submit scripts; designers supply drawings, photographs and technical documentation.
• References: two or three professional or academic references commenting on the applicant’s potential for graduate-level work.
• English language proficiency: applicants for whom English is not a first language must meet the university’s English proficiency requirements.

Admission is selective and based on artistic promise, readiness for intensive studio training and the fit between the applicant’s interests and departmental resources.

Career prospects

Graduates from the MFA programme pursue careers across the theatre and broader performance sector. Typical pathways include:

• Professional actor or ensemble member in regional, national and international theatre companies.
• Theatre director or assistant director in repertory, touring and experimental companies.
• Scenic, lighting, costume or sound designer and technical director in theatre, opera, dance and live events.
• Playwright, adaptor or deviser producing work for stage, radio, film and digital platforms.
• Production manager, company manager or arts administrator within theatres and cultural organisations.
• Arts educator, university lecturer or workshop leader teaching performance, voice, movement and production skills.
• Community-engaged artist working with cultural organisations, schools, and community groups to develop participatory performance.

The programme’s emphasis on Pacific and Asian-Pacific traditions also prepares graduates for roles in cultural institutions, festivals and organisations focused on regional performance practices.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

The Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers an immersive training environment positioned within a richly diverse cultural region. Students benefit from small cohorts, close mentorship from faculty-active practitioners, and regular collaboration with guest artists and visiting companies.

• Cultural and geographic context: the Mānoa campus provides unique access to Pacific and Asian performance traditions, Indigenous practices and community-engaged work, all informing creative and scholarly activity.
• Performance opportunities: multiple on-campus venues and partnerships with local arts organisations give students frequent production experience in front of public audiences.
• Interdisciplinary links: easy collaboration with related units such as music, dance, film, and Asian-Pacific studies encourages cross-disciplinary projects and research.
• Professional development: training emphasises the practical skills needed for sustainable careers in the arts, including production management, grant-writing and touring logistics.

Overall, the programme is suited to applicants seeking rigorous practice-based training combined with opportunities to research and create work that engages the cultures and communities of the Pacific region.