MFA Acting Programs - Should you go to Grad School?

Getting a MFA is a big decision to make and like any big decision it deserves careful thought and consideration, regardless of how confident you may trust your 'gut'.
When I first considered getting my Master of Fine Arts in Acting I was in my 5th year of undergraduate school. I had just completed my fourth year of college studying Pre-Med and Microbiology and had officially decided to turn my whole life focus towards acting.
It was scary, to say the least, I honestly didn't even know what a Monologue was - seriously. All I knew is that I was meant to pursue this as a career and that I had put it to the side long enough.
I entered the college drama department with hopeful dreams of learning everything I'd need to learn to be a great actor. But it didn't take long for me to realize that the journey to being a "great actor" takes decades to accomplish and I quickly buckled in for the long haul.
My mentor advised that I should consider going to graduate school right out of college. It was an intriguing idea. The defining impetitus for me to change my career path and major in Drama was because of a MFA production on campus. It makes complete sense that my next chapter would consist of being one of those graduate students honing their craft in the world of academia.
After months of monologue coaching and monologue prep I attended the URT/A auditions, where dozens of respected colleges/universities sit in an audience for hours as grad hopefuls march across the stage, one by one, to spill their best contrasting duo of monologues.
It was nerve-racking to say the least, but thankfully I had signed up for individual auditions with my top schools just in case the URTAs went south. Fortunately, I got a decent response from the experience and thus had a great start to the audition weekend.
Fast forward, I auditioned directly for, and/or met with, about 18 schools in total. And by the end of the audition season I ended up going with none of them. Due to a bundle of odd circumstances and missed callbacks, yours truly was fresh out of prospects and had to set his sights on waiting tables for the foreseeable future.
Two years later, and many tables served, I got into one of my top acting schools, the University of Washington School of Drama. It was a glorious experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. Those three years didn't teach me everything I needed to know, they instead provided me with a starter kit to the world of acting and gave me the courage to go out in the world and add new tools as I grew my career.
IS GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE?
No.
IS IT FOR YOU?
Depends.
Hopefully this video will be like a starter kit to your ultimate decision. Providing you with the foundation you need to make the big decisions in your own growing career.
If after watching this video, you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments below and I'll get to them as soon as I can.
All the best on your quest for knowledge, skill, and understanding!
Christian Telesmar
*******
Integrative Alexander Technique Practice for Performing Artists: Onstage Synergy
by Catherine Madden (Univ. of Wa Alexander Technique professor)
amzn.to/2qslpV9

[@jondiaz5237]

This video was super helpful! I'm auditioning at URTA's in 2018 and UW is one of the schools that I am interested in. For the past year, I've mulled over my list of reasons to pursue an MFA. Your video has encouraged me. Thank you for taking the time to post it!

[@TelesmarTV]

Jon Diaz Happy you found this video helpful, man. Wishing you all the best with your next chapter. Break legs next month at URTAs!

[@shawniejenay3917]

This was a great foundation, Ive started my research on getting my MFA today and your video was the first to pop up. I read your statement and found myself sitting in your shoes. I just want to applaud your for taking the risk, especially when it comes to changing majors to ACTING, I wonder how many people had an opinion on that lol but thanks for this video it was dope and very informative!!!

[@TelesmarTV]

shawntia grant Hey, yeah switching majors definitely brought in a lot of opinions, especially since I did it so late in the game but soon after I showed them I was committed to the choice they all got on board. That's dope that you're starting the research process. Here to help with any advice when/if ever you need it. Wishing you all the best!

[@shawniejenay3917]

I truly appreciate it Stay Blessed

[@OrlandoWWGrant]

Thank you for the video, Christian! It's given me great insight on what to consider before applying!

[@madyoro]

Just applied to USC for MFA. Thanks for your video

[@jesseridenour]

This is the most informative video I've seen on this topic so far. Thank you for the insight!

[@khaleanareanne2946]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for this video! I came across it at the perfect time. I graduated with my BA in Theatre and Dance last year and have been feeling like I need more training in my craft. A kind of intensive program that'll allow me the space and guidance to grow. I feel like I was robbed of that with my Undergrad. Not really doing any productions this year has had me at a standstill and artistically frustrated. I hate being stagnant. When asking friends their opinions, the answer is always "You don't need grad school, just get out there and do it" but this video made all the greyness of my situation become very black and white. I'm looking into Grad programs for next year (I'm going to make sure to check out UW too) so again, THANK YOU! :)

[@TelesmarTV]

So happy I could help clear up some of those gray areas. Wishing you all the best on your grad school journey!

[@sovietninja6865]

The people who say “ you don’t need grad school, just get out in the field” are the ones that never go anywhere lol.

[@Watermelon660]

This is AMAZINGLY helpful! I’m in the process of preparing for MFA program auditions and this has put even more of a fire under my ass. Thank you!

[@TelesmarTV]

That's awesome Miles! Glad I could be of help.

[@lalalalaaAa123]

Great insight- I'm wrapping up my BFA pretty soon. Thanks for this video! And hello from Seattle, Go Huskies!

[@TelesmarTV]

Wynnie M Awesome! Hope all is going well. Go Dawgs!!

[@FireEmblemWarrior14]

I'm a Seattle native and would love, love, love to hear about your MFA experience at UW! I missed out on auditioning and entering this fall, as I just wasn't ready, but UW Seattle is one of my top three, and of course I would get to be here at home in the PNW! Go Dawgs!

[@JasmineNiraOfficial]

VERY helpful. Thank you for sharing this!

[@TelesmarTV]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@its_dianafeng]

thanks for the advise

[@TelesmarTV]

You're very welcome!

[@Generationrhino]

Also here's a great book A FIELD GUIDE TO ACTOR TRAINING by Laura Wayth. The book breaks down all the techniques.

[@TelesmarTV]

Alfred ramirez Thanks!

[@Generationrhino]

how did you become a creative director?? That's amazing.

[@TelesmarTV]

Alfred ramirez Hi, I fell into it really. I started collaborating with some friends on spec commercials and brand commercial competitions (similar to the Doritos Super Bowls you may have seen over the years). And after we began to win those completions, doors began opening to do more work with brands and companies. It was a lot to fun, and ton of work but I loved every moment.

[@racheloliveira1905]

loved the video! Thanks!!

[@directorclarkmonroe]

thank you so much

[@TelesmarTV]

Darwin Richard you're very welcome!

[@Generationrhino]

This is so AMAZING. Thank you! be sure to check out self management for Actors! Great industry book!

[@TelesmarTV]

a ramirez Thanks for the kind words and the tip. I have heard of Bonnie and of her book, and know of many people who have benefited from her material. Does she discuss actor training with respects to academia?

[@Generationrhino]

iamtelesmar kind of. She tells how to hit the ground running when you are ready to start working. I would read THE ACTOR'S BUSINESS PLAN. It's great for beginning actors to plan your life and career.

[@Generationrhino]

iamtelesmar I think I'm going to try URTA and see if I can find a program (right now it's UC IRVINE, SMU or YALE.) Otherwise, I'm going to save up for a studio (Stella Adler probably) and take night classes.

[@Luissebastian205]

Thank u so much!!

[@TelesmarTV]

Very welcome!

[@ALu-nq8rf]

Wow, I can't imagine not working while attending grad school. How do people afford it without financial aid? How do you live somewhere or drive or eat? I'm very interested in going to grad school in a couple years for the network, for lessening the time takes to get great training, to move to a bigger city that I can actually find work in after graduation, but I'm at a loss for how I'll be able to finance it.

[@TelesmarTV]

Mandi Lu it's tough to go to grad school without financial aid and without scholarship/tuition waiver. There are several schools put there that provide free tuition MFA Acting programs off the top of my head, is Yale and UT-Knoxville. what helped me pay for school was a combination of scholarships, tuition waivers, Teaching Assistantships and financial aid (both federal and private). The one thing I would want against is taking out private loans (basically non-governmental and unsubsidized). Financial stability during grad school is no small feat but it is possible and there are many resources available. I encourage not letting finances become the determining factor in which school you go to or if you do go to grad school. There are many in-house financial resources and third party resources available to emerging artists. It will just take dedicated research. You got this! Let me know if toy have any questions in the future.

[@alexzmartinez8773]

Hi! Thanks so much for this insight. I wanted to tag onto this question. Do the financial resources you mentioned cover rent/food/gas/etc? How did you manage your non-school related finances while pursuing your MFA?

[@TelesmarTV]

Alexzandria Siprian I had student loans throughout grad school. It covered all the financial obligations that my Teaching Assistantship didn't cover. And the TA position was only for 2-3 quarters out of the 9 quarters (3 years) of schooling.

[@serenitybeats1677]

Are u still an actor

[@TelesmarTV]

Hi Serenity! Yes, I still am. Did a Day Player role in a feature film that opened in festivals this year, and just last week I did a co-star on NCIS Los Angeles. EVERYTHING has virtually halted this year because of Covid but most studios have slowly begun shooting again - which means auditions are starting to return. Though every year is different in the industry, I didn't expect much from 2020 but am grateful to have gotten work during the pandemic.

[@Mercutiossword]

lol I'm 39

[@TelesmarTV]

Congrats on being 39! 😄