Wanting to get MFA in Acting - Is it possible?

College Majors Theater/Drama Majors
1

Hey everyone, I could really use some advice. I’m a 39 male and have been acting for about 3 1/2 years and half of that I’ve been in a Meisner conservatory. I’ve done around 50 projects (student films, independent films, shorts, web-series, a couple of non-union TV credits and some theater). I want to get my MFA but everyone I talk to says that it is really hard and basically they make it sound impossible because of my age and lack of credits. Now I can’t apply for a BFA because I already have an MBA so most schools wont allow you to attend for a second bachelors. Frankly I would rather have the MFA if I could get it. I also don’t have any Shakespearean experience.

Is it possible to get into an MFA program at my age with my resume if I get some Shakespeare experience? What are the standards for getting in? I know you have to have 2 monologues (possibly more), but I guess what I’m wondering is what type of experience do most MFA applicants have?

I would like to start preparing and hopefully start applying for the 2018 year and go to URTA as well. But I’m not sure how much to prepare or what exactly.

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I don’t know that your age is an impossible stumbling block- after all, lots of MFA programs prefer students with life (and artistic) experience. But I am curious about your comment that you “don’t’ have any Shakespearean experience”. Do you mean that you have never done a full Shakespeare play? Not any scenes in class? That could be an issue as the curriculum of the MFA programs I have seen focuses heavily on classical plays- and I think they would expect you to come in ready to go.

You say you have been studying at a Meisner conservatory- where? Maybe before you go for an MFA you might want to think about studying somewhere where you could work on classical technique

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Look at specific schools that offer MFA to see what is required for auditions. sounds like you have at least a year to prepare.
Each school will have different audition requirements, but you will need at least 4 monologues I would guess. Even for a BFA students needed a handful of monologues to work from. My daughter had 7 or 8 (that may have been a bit much!), but really used various cuts from the same 3 or 4 for just about all her auditions.

Don’t think age matters. Some top programs often have older students.

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As for your question about experience - from what we saw it seems to vary. Some MFA candidates had a BA or BFA in theater. Others had business degrees (or whatever) and had done community theater. Sounds like you have some good experiences but may want to take a Shakespeare acting class or try to do a classical play locally if available

And it isn’t your resume that will get you in. It is your audition (in my opinion).

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@toowonderful Yeah, I haven’t done any Shakespeare plays at all. And that’s what I was wondering. That I should study Shakespeare but wasn’t sure how long. I guess I was wondering if all the MFA applicants are Shakespeare experts. I don’t mind if they are, that just means I need to work harder. Do you know of any places to work on classical technique in LA?

The Meisner program is Ruskin School of Acting in Santa Monica.

@bfahopeful Thanks! Yeah I’ve done some theatre and I can perform. I was just getting a weird vibe from everyone I mention to that I want to pursue an MFA.

It basically sounds like I just need to get familiar with Shakespeare and not worry about anyone but myself. Now to just find something here in LA to do just that.

Thanks for your responses.

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The wierd looks are that you are going back for a degree in theater. People don’t understand why anyone would do that.

18 year olds get that too! (Lol)
Good luck

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Good round up of acting classes in LA…I know Antaeus does some Shakespeare classes. http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/resources/6-la-classical-training-acting-schools/

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@Jkellynh17 Thanks for the link! I’m not sure most of those offer workshop type classes, but I will take a look. I was able to find some myself as well, but I have to check them out. Independent Shakespeare Co and Theatricum Botanicum.

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Yes, good luck. My son might be looking at MFA programs at some point, hopefully not too soon, so I’m interested in the process. Hope you’ll tell us how it goes.

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You can certainly get your MFA at 39. I myself got my MFA (in writing) at 37, and many people earn their MFAs at a later age. It is not atypical at all to find an older, experienced person in an MFA program.

It is also not impossible to get an MFA. Many programs will like the fact that you are older, have lived your life, gained a lot of experience and education, and know what you want.

A few words of warning however: Just as your goal shouldn’t be simply “I want to get a BFA” so your goal shouldn’t be “I want to get an MFA.” There are many different programs. Some are very highly regarded, others not as much. Some have scholarships to pay your way, others will be very expensive. Some will not be a fit with what you want to learn; others will ‘click’ with you.

What I’d suggest is to investigate the various MFA programs and see exactly what they have to offer, what their successes are, what their training philosophy is, etc. Personally, I’d seriously consider the debt-free ones if possible; otherwise, for many programs, we’re talking about $100,000+ in costs.

As far as Shakespeare, you don’t need to have performed Shakespeare, but it would be very helpful if you hired an acting coach to help prepare you for the MFA auditions, and you could at that point work on the Shakespeare.

Finally, be sure you know exactly why you want an MFA. It’s a huge investment of time (and costs if you don’t get a fellowship/scholarship). Since you’re already performing, do you want it to further your skills? To gain connections? If so, you might want to consider instead taking classes at any number of highly regarded acting conservatories, improv centers, individual or small classes targeted on a specific skill, all in many major cities. Many of these classes help with connections as well as training, and would be far far cheaper than an MFA. If you want the MFA to qualify you for teaching as a professor, and/or because you really want to rigorously immerse yourself in training, then go for it.

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My D is starting an MFA acting program at Brown in August. She just turned 27 and she’s the oldest person in her class of 16. I don’t know if that’s typical or atypical for most MFA acting programs. Many of these programs are very competitive.

I’d suggest that you think about why you want an MFA and how it furthers your career path. You’re probably going to have to submit an essay on a topic like that when you apply so it’s not a useless exercise.

Look at the websites of the programs that interest you and check the costs. If you can’t afford to pay, see what programs offer merit money or free tuition and a stipend in exchange for working as a teaching assistant or something similar.

Find out about the audition process at each school/conservatory and the kinds of monologues that you will need to prepare. Your audition is the key to admission–get an acting coach. It’s good to find a person who has experience working with students applying for BFA and MFA programs. Good luck!