UCLA is a big place and we do a lot of different things at the Department of Theater. Here is a little more about our department, programs and our annual events.
Schedule of Classes
UCLA Course Catalog
Theater Programs and Emphases
About the Undergraduate Program
Internships
Annual Events
Faculty Classifications
UCLA Map
You can access the current Schedule of Classes online at: https://sa.ucla.edu/ro/public/soc
Once you have chosen the appropriate quarter and department (Theater) from the menu, you will be able to see a full listing of the courses being offered, as well as the times, days of week and classrooms. If you would like to see a document with full details, please click on “Compete Listing for Theater – Graphics with Links.”
For Online courses offered in the Summer Sessions A and C, please visit https://www.summer.ucla.edu/online.
The Schedule of Classes is determined by the Chair of the Department, and is managed by the Theater Management Services Officer.
The UCLA General Catalog will have a listing of all Theater Courses that can be offered through the Department, as well as specific information about each course (number of units, course name and course description.) To view the Course Catalog, go to https://registrar.ucla.edu/academics/course-descriptions?search=Theater
Entries for each course are listed by the Catalog number, then the course name (number of units), and then the course description.
The Department of Theater offers a BA, MFA, PhD, and Minor.
The Undergraduate emphases are as follows:
Acting
Musical Theater
Design/Production
Integrated Studies
The MFA in Theater emphases are as follows:
Acting (admissions in hiatus)
Directing
Playwriting
Costume Design
Scenic Design
Lighting Design
The Department of Theater offers a PhD in Theater and Performance Studies.
The Minor is a self-sufficient minor in which acceptance is allowed after one (preferably two) UCLA Theater courses with a final grade of C or better.
Our undergraduate program is a Bachelor of Arts program is a comprehensive program that uniquely combines the study of the arts, humanities and sciences with exploration of the principle areas of theater practice.
The Freshman Experience
In their first year of studies, all Theater Freshman are immersed in the “Freshman Experience.” They take most of their classes together and become acclimated to the intense and rigorous structure of the Department of Theater. It is an opportunity for them to connect to each other and to immerse themselves completely in theater.
In the Fall quarter, all Theater freshman take the following courses together:
Tai Chi (Theater 2A)
Introduction to Performance (Theater 12)
Play Reading and Analysis (Theater 13)
Theater 14A (Scenic Design)
They are also encouraged to take ballet. In the Fall quarter, freshman are not allowed to take any courses other than these Freshman Experience courses. Theater 147 (Drafting) is an exception to this rule – Freshman design students are encouraged to take this.
In the Winter quarter, all Theater freshman enroll in:
Approaches to Interpretation of Theater and Performance (Theater 11)
Lighting Design (Theater 14B).
They can also add Directing (Theater 15), ballet and a general elective (GE), as well as Theater 50/150 (performance/production).
In the Spring quarter, all Theater freshman enroll in:
Costume Design (Theater 14C)
They can also include Advanced Directing (Theater 160) and ballet. They may also enroll in more general elective courses, as well as Theater 50/15.
Freshmen Contracts
All Freshman sign a contract stating that they have read the Standards and Procedures for Study. They also fill out a Waiver of Liability and an off-campus permission slip for field trips.
The Standards and Procedures for Study in the UCLA Department of Theater are:
Attendance in class is mandatory.
Students are expected to arrive on time and to remain throughout the class.
The student is expected to enter and exit the room during scheduled breaks or with permission only.
Students must come prepared for class with required assignments, materials, and proper attire. Active participation and the ability to discuss class assignments, as well as outside preparation/rehearsals, are expected.
Students should occupy seats or places assigned to them.
Eating, drinking, sleeping and unnecessary talking in class will not be permitted.
Before enrolling in a Theater Department course, the student must verify that they are able to attend all class meetings and complete all course assignments.
Projected lateness or absence must also be reported. Illness is not considered an excuse for missing class or turning in assignments late.
If cast in an outside project, it must not interfere with the Theater classes. If an excuse from class/crew call/etc. is needed because the student is cast in a Theater Department production for credit, the student must have permission from the Department of Theater Office.
Internships are coordinated by the Chair’s Assistant in the Theater Department Office. If a student is interested in taking either Theater 195 (Undergraduate Internship) or Theater 498 (Graduate Internship), please have them contact the Chair’s Assistant directly. Enrollment in Internship classes must be no later than the Friday of 2nd week for both Undergraduates and Graduates.
TFT Orientation
Fall Quarter. New and continuing Theater students are welcomed to the academic school year by the Dean of TFT. Students also meet with faculty and counselors regarding Theater Department curriculum for the upcoming school year. This event is mandatory and held during zero week before classes begin.
Interviews/Auditions
Winter Quarter. Beginning in January, applicants at both the freshman and junior transfer levels interview for admission with the Theater Department for admission to the program. Faculty members are selected to interview and to review auditions and portfolios. Senate Faculty members are all expected to participate.
Donor Awards
Spring Quarter. Each year, more than 300 financial awards are handed out to students totaling nearly $1 million. These awards are funded by generous donors, and there is a ceremony at the end of Spring quarter to celebrate the student recipients.
Undergraduate Open House
Spring Quarter. Admitted Theater freshman and transfers have the opportunity to find out more about the Theater program prior to the May 1st deadline to make their admission decisions. At the Open House, admitted students hear from the Theater Undergraduate Vice-Chair, the Theater Counselors, and a panel of Theater faculty and students representing all theater specializations.
MFA Acting Showcase
Spring Quarter. 3rd Year MFA Actors perform theater and film sequences for agents and industry professionals. This is an online showcase.
Undergraduate Acting and Musical Theater Showcase
Spring Quarter. The Senior Undergraduate students perform for agents and industry professionals. This is an online showcase.
Design Showcase West
Spring Quarter. Design Showcase West is the only national entertainment design showcase on the West Coast. It features the work of students graduating from the nation’s top university design programs. Exhibits include costume, set, sound, lighting and wig/make-up design. The Showcase is attended by entertainment producers, directors and A-list designers who are looking for new talent. Attendance by invitation only for morning session and luncheon. Public session in the afternoon.
Current Senate Faculty
J.Ed Araiza, Jeff Burke, Michelle Carriger, Felipe Cervera, Jennifer Chang, Myung Hee Cho, Lap Chi Chu, Chrisi Karvonides, Suk-Young Kim, Brian Kite, Deborah Landis, Sean Metzger, Judith Moreland, Sylvan Oswald, Malika Oyetimein, Adam Rigg, Marike Splint, Dominic Taylor, and Edit Villarreal.
Faculty Classifications
Tenure or Tenure-Track Faculty (Senate Faculty)
Persons appointed to titles in the Professor series form the “regular ranks” faculty of the University. The professorial series is used for appointees who are members of the faculty who have instructional, as well as research, University, and public service responsibilities.
Visiting Professors
The Visiting prefix is used to designate one whose research, creative activities or professional achievement makes a Visiting appointment appropriate.
Adjunct Professors
Titles in this series may be assigned to individuals who are predominately engaged in research or other creative work and who participate in teaching. Titles in this series may also be assigned to individuals who contribute primarily to teaching and have a limited responsibility for research or other creative work; these individuals may be professional practitioners of appropriate distinction. Appointees with titles in this series also engage in University and public service consistent with their assignments.
Lecturers
Lecturer status indicates that the appointment is for certain teaching duties, often for limited periods or for part-time.
Faculty Course Loads
The following is the amount of courses that a faculty member teaches each year to be considered to be teaching a full load. This can change depending on other responsibilities, but should be used as the general template:
Visiting Professors: 6 classes per year
Lecturers: 9 classes per year
Adjunct Professors: 7 classes per year
Senate Faculty: 5 classes per year
Where we are:
303 E.Melnitz Hall, UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095
(310) 825-7008
Still have questions? Contact us.