Ohio State University MFA

Ohio State University's Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts offers an MFA in Acting situated within one of the largest and most comprehensive public research universities in the United States. Located in Columbus, Ohio — the state capital and the fastest-growing major city in the Midwest — the program combines practical actor training with the vast intellectual and artistic resources of a flagship state university. The department brings together theater, film, and media arts under a single academic umbrella, reflecting the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of contemporary performance and storytelling. Ohio State's commitment to the arts is evidenced by its affiliation with the Wexner Center for the Arts, one of the country's leading multidisciplinary arts centers, which hosts international exhibitions, performances, and residencies that enrich the cultural environment for all students. The MFA Acting program has produced several notable alumni, including Eileen Heckart, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1973, and Bonnie Milligan, who won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress for Kimberly Akimbo in 2023. The program operates on a three-year cycle, admitting one class of actors every three years, creating a dedicated ensemble that trains together throughout the entire program.

In 2025, Ohio State's MFA in Acting operates as a three-year master's program that emphasizes both classical and contemporary performance styles alongside the creation of original work. What distinguishes Ohio State from many peer programs is the integration of practical acting training with the scholarly and research resources of one of the country's most comprehensive universities — students have access to world-class libraries, humanities departments, and interdisciplinary programs that can inform and deepen their artistic work. The program's focus on new works creation and contemporary performance sits alongside training in classical styles, producing actors who are versatile and prepared for the full range of professional opportunities. The affiliation with the Wexner Center for the Arts exposes students to cutting-edge international performance work that many smaller programs cannot offer. Columbus itself has emerged as a vibrant and growing arts city, with professional theater companies, fringe festivals, and a supportive community for emerging artists that provides real-world performance opportunities during training. Important note: the program admits every three years and is not currently accepting applications — prospective students should check the department's website for future admission cycle information.

Admission to Ohio State's MFA in Acting requires an undergraduate degree in theatre or a related field, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The application includes an audition, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and a resume detailing prior training and professional experience. Because the program admits one class every three years, the competition for each cycle is concentrated and intense, with a small number of students selected from a significant applicant pool. The audition process evaluates acting ability across classical and contemporary material, vocal quality, physical expressiveness, and the capacity for both individual artistic growth and ensemble collaboration. Ohio State values actors who bring intellectual curiosity alongside their performance skills, and the program seeks students who will engage meaningfully with the research university environment. As of 2025, the program is not currently accepting applications, and prospective students should monitor the department's website for announcements about upcoming admission cycles.

The three-year MFA curriculum is designed to develop actors who can work across classical and contemporary styles while also creating original performance work. Training covers acting technique through multiple approaches, voice and speech with dialect work, movement and physical expression, stage combat, and on-camera work that reflects the expanding role of screen media in actors' careers. A distinctive element of the Ohio State program is its emphasis on new works creation — students develop and perform original work as part of their training, building skills as theater-makers and creators alongside their work as interpreters of existing scripts. Students perform in a full season of department productions, including work at the university's well-equipped theater facilities. The program also encourages interdisciplinary engagement, with opportunities to collaborate across Ohio State's vast arts and humanities departments, including film studies, creative writing, dance, and visual arts. The proximity to the Wexner Center for the Arts provides exposure to international performance work and opportunities to engage with visiting artists from around the world. Community engagement is woven into the curriculum, with students developing original works that connect with audiences beyond the university.

Ohio State's MFA in Acting attracts intellectually curious actors who value the integration of scholarly inquiry with practical training and who are drawn to the resources and community of a major research university. The program has produced several notable alumni across the entertainment industry: Eileen Heckart won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Butterflies Are Free in 1973 and an Emmy Award in 1994; Bonnie Milligan won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in Kimberly Akimbo in 2023; Lee Adams won the Tony Award for Best Musical for Bye Bye Birdie in 1961; and Adrienne Kennedy won an Obie Award in 1964. Columbus's growing arts community provides a supportive environment for emerging artists, with professional companies and festivals that create opportunities for MFA students to gain professional experience during their training. The every-three-years admission cycle means that each cohort forms a tight-knit ensemble that develops deep creative bonds over the course of the program. Ohio State graduates are known for their intellectual depth, their versatility across classical and contemporary styles, and their capacity for creating original work.

Tuition for the MFA in Acting at Ohio State is approximately $37,306 for the first year for out-of-state students, with in-state rates significantly lower. Graduate associateships are available that can cover tuition and provide stipends, making the actual cost considerably lower for many students, though the availability and specifics of funding may vary by admission cycle. Ohio State's status as a flagship state university means that even the listed tuition rates are lower than comparable programs at private institutions. Columbus's cost of living is moderate, particularly compared to New York, Los Angeles, or Boston, stretching students' budgets further and making it feasible to focus on training. The combination of potential graduate funding and an affordable city creates a reasonable financial picture for most students. Compared to fully funded programs at Indiana, Yale, or Juilliard, Ohio State's funding may be less comprehensive, and prospective students should inquire directly about the financial support available for the specific admission cycle they are targeting.

Ohio State's MFA in Acting is a strong choice for intellectually curious actors who value the integration of scholarly inquiry with practical training and who thrive in the comprehensive resource environment of a major research university. If you are drawn to new works creation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the opportunity to engage with international performance through the Wexner Center, Ohio State offers a unique combination of features. The program is particularly well-suited for actors who appreciate Columbus's growing arts community and moderate cost of living. Actors who want to train in a major entertainment market should consider programs in New York or Los Angeles. If you want a fully funded MFA with guaranteed financial support, Indiana University, Yale, and Juilliard offer more comprehensive packages. For actors seeking a research university MFA with a stronger industry profile, the University of Washington's PATP or UCSD may be worth exploring. Check the program's current admission status before planning your application timeline.

If the program is not currently admitting when you want to apply, use the waiting period to build your classical and contemporary acting skills, gain professional credits, and develop your capacity for creating original work — all qualities that Ohio State values in its applicants. When preparing your audition, choose material that demonstrates both technical skill and intellectual engagement with the text — Ohio State values thinking actors. Explore Columbus's theater community during your training by attending productions, connecting with local companies, and seeking professional opportunities that complement your academic work. Take full advantage of the Wexner Center for the Arts by attending exhibitions, performances, and artist talks that expose you to diverse performance traditions from around the world. Build interdisciplinary relationships across Ohio State's vast arts and humanities departments, as these connections can enrich your artistic work and open unexpected creative avenues. Engage meaningfully with the new works creation component of the curriculum, as the ability to generate and develop original performance material is an increasingly valuable skill in the contemporary entertainment landscape.