Indiana University MFA Acting

Indiana University's Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance has been developing theater artists since the earliest decades of the twentieth century, with the first theatre course — The Staging of Plays — offered through the English Department in 1915. The University Players were formed in 1929 under the leadership of Lee Norvelle, and University Theatre was formally established in 1933, creating the institutional foundation for what would become one of the most comprehensive theater programs in the Midwest. The Department of Theatre and Drama was formally established as an independent academic unit in 1971, and the MFA in Acting has grown into a well-funded, deeply respected graduate program known for its thorough classical training and commitment to producing well-rounded theater artists. Located in Bloomington, Indiana — a classic Midwestern college town known for its intellectual culture, natural beauty, and exceptionally low cost of living — the program provides a focused, supportive environment that allows actors to dedicate themselves fully to their craft without the financial pressures of coastal cities. Indiana University's large arts infrastructure, including the world-renowned Jacobs School of Music, provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration that enrich the theater program. The Little Theatre, inaugurated in 1941, was among the first purpose-built university theater spaces in the country, reflecting IU's long commitment to the performing arts.

In 2025, Indiana University's MFA in Acting operates as a three-year, 65-credit terminal professional degree designed to prepare actors for careers in professional theater, film, and television. The program is distinctive in several important ways: it admits a small cohort of only 8 students per cycle, and it accepts students every three years rather than annually, meaning that each cohort trains together as a dedicated ensemble throughout the entire program. This structure creates an exceptionally intimate and focused training environment where every student receives intensive personal attention and mentorship. All admitted MFA Acting students receive full tuition waivers and assistantships that pay a minimum of $24,000 per academic year for 20 hours per week of teaching or administrative duties, making the program essentially free for all students. The curriculum emphasizes Shakespearean text, Chekhov technique, voice and speech, physical theater, and contemporary scene study, with students performing in a full season of productions at IU's multiple theater venues. Important note: the program has paused recruiting for the 2026-2027 cycle in order to recalibrate its curriculum for changes in the industry, with the next expected admission cycle for Fall 2027.

Admission to Indiana University's MFA in Acting is extraordinarily selective, with only 8 students admitted per cohort from a substantial applicant pool. Because the program admits every three years, the competition for each cycle is intense, and applicants should have significant prior training and professional experience. The audition process evaluates acting ability, vocal quality, physical expressiveness, classical text skills, and the capacity for growth within the program's specific curriculum. Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree, though it need not be in theater, and professional experience is valued alongside formal training. The small cohort model means that ensemble compatibility is an important factor in admissions decisions — the program seeks actors who will work generatively together over three years. As of 2025, the program is not accepting applications due to a curriculum recalibration pause, and prospective students should monitor the department's website for announcements about the Fall 2027 admission cycle. Students must maintain a 3.2 GPA to retain their financial support.

The three-year MFA curriculum is built around progressive skill development, beginning with intensive foundational work in acting technique, voice and speech, movement, and text analysis in the first year, expanding into more complex performance challenges and specialized training in the second year, and culminating in professional preparation and thesis work in the third year. Classical training is a cornerstone of the program, with significant emphasis on Shakespearean text, verse drama, Chekhov, and other heightened dramatic literature that demands both technical precision and emotional depth. Voice and speech training is thorough and sustained throughout all three years, developing actors who can handle the vocal demands of classical and contemporary performance. Physical theater, movement, and stage combat training develop the body as an expressive instrument. Students perform in a full season of productions at IU's multiple theater venues, including both classical and contemporary work. The program also benefits from collaboration with the Jacobs School of Music and the Department of Dance, providing interdisciplinary opportunities that enrich actors' training. Teaching assistantship duties provide valuable pedagogical experience that many graduates find useful in their subsequent careers.

Indiana University's MFA Acting program attracts experienced, dedicated actors who are committed to deepening their craft through intensive classical training and who value the supportive, focused environment of a world-class research university. The program's alumni include several notable figures in the entertainment industry: Kevin Kline, who won an Academy Award and three Tony Awards, studied drama at Indiana University, and Jonathan Banks, known for his Emmy-nominated work in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, studied theatre and speech at IU. More recently, Arian Moayed received a 2023 Tony nomination, and Ninako Donville made her Broadway debut after graduating from the program. The small cohort model means that each group of eight students develops an extraordinarily tight ensemble bond over their three years together, and these relationships frequently lead to professional collaborations and mutual support throughout their careers. IU graduates are known for their classical proficiency, their vocal and physical skill, and their intellectual engagement with dramatic literature — qualities that make them attractive to regional theaters, classical companies, and film and television casting directors seeking actors with substantial training.

Indiana University's MFA Acting program is fully funded for all admitted students, making it one of the most financially accessible graduate acting programs in the country. Tuition for out-of-state graduate students is approximately $33,410 per year, but this amount is covered entirely through tuition waivers for all MFA Acting students. Additionally, all students receive assistantships that pay a minimum of $24,000 per academic year for 20 hours per week of teaching or administrative duties, providing a living stipend that covers most expenses in Bloomington's remarkably affordable cost of living. The combination of full tuition coverage and a meaningful stipend means that students can complete the three-year program with minimal or no debt — an extraordinary financial advantage compared to unfunded programs that can cost $50,000-$80,000 per year. Additional academic merit fellowships are available on a competitive basis for students with exceptional credentials. Bloomington's low cost of living stretches the stipend further than it would in New York, Los Angeles, or even Chicago, making the practical financial experience of attending IU genuinely comfortable compared to coastal alternatives.

Indiana University's MFA in Acting is an outstanding choice for experienced actors who want comprehensive classical training in a fully funded program that allows them to train without financial stress. If you value deep textual work, Shakespearean training, and the intimacy of a very small ensemble cohort, IU offers an environment that is genuinely special. The program is particularly well-suited for actors who are comfortable in a non-urban setting and who can thrive in a focused, supportive academic community. Actors who want to train in New York or Los Angeles for immediate industry access should consider programs in those cities instead. If you are drawn to the fully funded model but want a program with higher name recognition, Yale and Juilliard offer tuition-free MFAs at programs with stronger industry profiles. For actors who want a funded MFA with a more urban location, Rutgers offers strong financial support with proximity to New York City. Note that the program is currently paused and the next expected admission cycle is Fall 2027.

If you are planning to apply for the Fall 2027 cycle, use the intervening time to build your classical acting skills, gain professional credits, and develop your audition materials — the program values actors who arrive with substantial preparation and clear artistic goals. When the program is accepting applications, prepare audition materials that showcase your ability to handle classical text — choose Shakespearean monologues that demonstrate vocal skill, emotional depth, and textual precision. Embrace the Bloomington lifestyle as a feature rather than a limitation — the low cost of living and focused creative community allow for a depth of engagement with your craft that is difficult to achieve in expensive, distracting cities. Build relationships with your seven cohort members from day one, as these will be your primary artistic partners for three years and likely for years beyond graduation. Take full advantage of the interdisciplinary opportunities available at IU, including collaborations with music and dance students. Use the teaching assistantship as a genuine learning opportunity that develops your pedagogical skills, which many actors find valuable as they build careers that include teaching alongside performing.