<p>I would really love to hear from those who are admitted, graduated, or currently in UCLA"s
theater program?</p>
<p>I do not want to go into acting, but more of the design and production?</p>
<p>Is it great? How hard is it to get in from transferring at a CC?</p>
<p>If I want to go into theater design and production, it says I might need a audition and/or interview?</p>
<p>What kind of audition could be possibly needed for a future theater set designer?</p>
<p>Littlesooyon92, you might get more responses if you started a thread with the title “Theatre design and production at UCLA.”</p>
<p>It is my understanding that many programs require you to submit (or display) a portfolio of your design work when you have your admissions interview.</p>
<p>My D applied to and was accepted at UCLA two years ago. An interview with a portfolio showing was required as was a paper describing a design concept for a play of your choice. They want to see if you have any artistic talent, whether you know how to draw and/or paint, and if you know how to think about design. It was easily the most critical and least welcoming of the 5 or so interviews she did when applying to colleges and she was really surprised when she was accepted. Based on what I’ve read on this forum, however, that is not unusual. Apparently, it’s all about them until they decide and only then do they start to court you. However, they lost my D somewhere in process.</p>
<p>UCLA’s program is unusual in that they have all the academic requirements of a BA at a demanding university coupled with the highly structured curriculum and many production requirements of a conservatory. Depending on your perspective, this is either the best of both worlds or a program that, by combining two somewhat contradictory objectives, does not quite succeed at either one. It’s certainly not for everyone. </p>
<p>For theater design students, this double emphasis means you are required to spend a year each studying two different design disciplines (costume, set, or lighting design are the most popular) instead of choosing between them. It is not unusual for a technical theater program to require students to get a good background in all of the design areas but then they are generally encouraged to study one area in more depth than you can cover in one year. I’m not sure of the rationale for studying two disciplines in depth but obviously it is a good choice for those who want to explore as broadly as possible.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about transferring into the program and, frankly, all of my information is a little out of date. Things have changed, and not for the better, due to budget cutbacks since 2009. Search this forum for more information. I know the department now accepts fewer students and apparently stages fewer productions.</p>
<p>@theatermom:</p>
<p>thank you for your daughter’s information:)
it somewhat gives me an idea.</p>
<p>although I was a bit confused with the two contradictory objectives?
I actually would LOVE to learn about every aspect of design including
costume, lighting, stage design! I actually want to go into more of that
then the technical part itself.</p>
<p>I can’t really draw or paint, but if I really want to go into this program, I plan
on taking as many art drawing painting classes as possible at my CC.</p>
<p>There is a technical theater certificate at my CC that I plan on using as a base
skeleton to outline with my GE courses so I can get a small understanding
of what it will be like.</p>
<p>Since there are budget cuts and fewer productions, in your opinion, do you think
it wouldn’t be such a good idea to major in that? Do you think future jobs wouldn’t be
so great?</p>
<p>littlesooyon92–I can share my S2’s experience if it is helpful. He applied and was admitted to UCLA School of Theater & Film–Theater Design this spring but ended up choosing to attend another college.</p>
<p>Just like theater mom’s D, my S had pretty much the identical experience just 2 years later. Very cold and almost hostile interview process (brrr). He brought in his art portfolio and an instructor from UCLA’s MFA program (?) flipped through it without even talking to S. Then he looked up, asked if he had any questions. (!) When S asked one (always good to have a q ready), the interviewer replied he had no idea what undergrads do and to look it up on the website. (okay…) </p>
<p>The other thing that lost my S was the admitted students event when a dad in the audience asked about opportunities for the UGs to actually design shows. The head of the Theater dept. explained that would not happen. They have reduced the # of shows (emphasizing training vs. preformance, he said) drastically and only the MFA design students actually will… um… design anything that will get produced.</p>
<p>There is also a new mandatory summer program for all theater majors at UCLA between soph and junior years, so that limits working and internships or travel.</p>
<p>My last comment (sorry I can only report red flags–because for another student this might be a great spot) is that I seem to recall that all theater majors must begin freshman year (in order to do the sequence of classes–including a freshman experience and the summer program). I’m already confusing several other programs he was considering, so my advice is to call the office and ask someone if transferring into that major is open for juniors from cc, and which cc courses will be transferable. It might be great to take a tech theatre or design course at cc (in order to work on your portfolio), but may not transfer.</p>
<p>Best of luck. There is a lot to think about!</p>
<p>@littlesooyon92:</p>
<p>Let me try to be a little clearer and answer all your questions.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The two contradictory objectives are a liberal arts education on one hand and theater design training on the other. At UCLA, both are very demanding. There are a lot of very traditional general education requirements at UCLA. Theater students are required to take math, science, and foreign language classes with thousands of academically-talented non-theater students. If you are equally interested in drama and academics, and have equal amounts of talent for both, then this may be the place for you. Otherwise, think again. </p></li>
<li><p>UCLA and most conservatories teach BOTH design and tech stuff in the same curriculum. In order to design for the theater, you need to know the mechanics of it. HOWEVER, the difference between UCLA and other conservatories is that UCLA discourages specializing in any one area of design.</p></li>
<li><p>Although it would be a plus if you could draw and paint, don’t worry too much if you can’t. This is a skill you can learn. Taking studio art classes at your CC is a good idea. </p></li>
<li><p>The budget cuts and fewer productions are a problem of California public universities. Take a look at madbean’s comments about the drastically reduced number of shows and that only MFA students work on actual productions. This is a serious problem at UCLA and probably at some other UCs and CSUs but not with theater itself.</p></li>
<li><p>There are very few jobs out there right now–in any field. Eventually, this will change and I hope it will be soon. When it does, technical theater people will do okay. It’s not the most secure profession I can think of but it is not shrinking either and the competition is not overwhelming.</p></li>
<li><p>There may be better schools for your interests but I don’t know much about your situation. Do you have the money to consider private schools? Can you go outside California? If you are limited to public schools in California, consider Cal State Fullerton. They are known for their design/tech program.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Best wishes.</p>
<p>@madbean:</p>
<p>wow is it really that cold and hostile? o_O and he still got admitted?
well that’s at least great news for you and him I guess, but the admissions
person didn’t even know the answer?</p>
<p>I hope not all admissions people are like that 
</p>
<p>There are a few reasons why I want to attend UCLA, I moved from WA state,
and basically University of Washington is like the Cali version of UCLA sort of
to my parents, I could have never gotten into UW because of my SAT scores,
my GPA was okay, I would think.</p>
<p>I want to show my parents, that I CAN! get accepted to UCLA, at first I was thinking
I have to GO TO UCLA but I think my parents understand if I just get accepted at
least, if I don’t really like how things go later at UCLA.</p>
<p>I guess as of right now, I am okay, not thinking about shows and performances, but
for future reference, that is something I am glad you were able to tell me:)</p>
<p>I as for now, am not set on what major I want to go into but I keep researching
more and more about the theatre design major, and I LOVE IT! So many opportunities.</p>
<p>I have been reading up information on the UCLA website, but I haven’t come to anything
that had mentioned only freshman o_O I will definately have to look that up more!</p>
<p>Thank you so much providing your information:)</p>
<p>Helped a lot!</p>
<p>@theatermom:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I will think hard about it :)</p></li>
<li><p>I do like the idea of learning more than on thing, instead of specializing,
because later in the career field, I could specialize, knowing I have learned
more than one thing.</p></li>
<li><p>I will most likely take alllllll the theater classes they possibly have at my CC
during my transfer years.</p></li>
<li><p>As long as the field isn’t shrinking, and I still have 4 years to even get a BA, I
should be okay:)</p></li>
<li><p>I guess, I will be considering other schools, but I specifically moved to California this April, because I thought it would have so much more opportunities compared to where I came from, Washington State.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>At the interview/portfolio review day, the head of the School of Theatre (very nice, very funny guy) warned the applicants that every year kids leave their auditions or interviews saying they absolutely positively KNOW they did not get selected because it went so badly. Interrupted and never got to finish their monologues, or no one looked up after they finished, or some other horror story. He said: it doesn’t mean anything. Every year, many accepted students tell these same stories. You can’t judge your own audition/interview! Of course, my son left his interview saying–“But really. REALLY. I will not get in. It was the worst interview ever.” And, yup. He was admitted. I guess it’s good for applicants to realize there is always always hope. So don’t give up.</p>
<p>I also respect your wish to pursue this major and also to attend UCLA. It’s a fabulous school and I hope you get in!! (That’ll show your family!)</p>
<p>Lastly, you might want to consider that applying to a theatre major at UCLA means–you will not be considered for any other major. It locks you out. So… if you are not selected from your gpa, transcripts, portfolio/supplement and interview by the School of Theatre, you’re out of luck for UCLA.</p>
<p>It can’t hurt to try, though! But if you would want to attend UCLA for sure, and this major for maybe, you may have some thinking to do on what is the right strategy.</p>
<p>oh wow! I am not that great with bad feelings after an interview ahah! you say those who think they didn’t get in got in but what about those who thought they didn’t get in but they really didn’t?!</p>
<p>that is just horrible:/</p>
<p>and you mean, at the time I apply, I can only choose to get admitted or declined to UCLA theater program?</p>
<p>Well I have almost 2 years to actually decide on what major I want to pursue, and I have come to a conclusion that I only want to go to UCLA because I thought I could get in as a kid and to show my parents I really can get in, but I don’t really want to go into medical field or anything so UCLA is just an excuse basically for theater and parents.</p>
<p>If I don’t get in, I plan on maybe applying somewhere close still, maybe UCSD, or UC Irvine for business? (although, business degree is like my back up, last resort) type of thing.</p>
<p>So they really stop you during the interview? and even act coldly to the interviewers?</p>
<p>Wow, that’s so harsh of them! I am glad, your info. has prepared me slightly for what is to come!</p>
<p>.</p>