URTA AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS
Bringing together MFA candidates and dozens of the top theatre training programs, “the URTAs” are the best way to discover the best program for you!
ARTIST ENGAGEMENT SERVICES
The only nonprofit paymaster service of its kind. We set the stage for hiring union and non-union guest artists and crew by universities, theatres, independent producers, and individual artists.
AWARDS
URTA Awards support participants at the URTAs, and recognize achievement in training by instructors and institutions.
COOPERATIVE ADVERTISING
URTA puts advertising within reach for theatre training programs by securing significant discounts on print and digital ads with leading theatre journals.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
URTA staff and other distinguished faculty and professionals conduct workshops, panels, and seminars covering all areas of theatre at colleges, theatres, conferences, and events.
JOB LISTINGS
Academic job postings from URTA member and non-member universities.
SHOWCASE CALENDAR
An all-in-one place listing of graduate showcases in acting and design. List dates and information for your training program’s showcase, free of charge.
WELCOME TO URTA
Founded in 1969, the University Resident Theatre Association works toward the continued renewal of the American theatre by supporting professional training of new artists. URTA programs and services answer the needs of university theatres, training programs, and individual artists. Whether it’s articulating the need for professional theatrical training, helping to match potential students with the MFA program best suited to their needs, facilitating engagement of professional artists at universities, or expanding the scope of our education and career outreach programs, URTA is setting the stage for emerging theatre artists, and professional advancement.
Statement on Community, Opportunity, and Inclusion
As educators and artists dedicated to discovering and nurturing talent and creating meaningful art, we recognize the importance of fostering an environment where all individuals are respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We commit to nurturing an inclusive and welcoming community in our classrooms, studios, theaters, and workplaces—one that embraces diverse perspectives and backgrounds as essential to our growth.
Our commitment to community and opportunity shapes every aspect of our work: recruitment, hiring, teaching, and production. We aim to provide a space for sharing experiences, insights, and best practices among our members and collaborators. Just as theater reflects the human experience and inspires positive change, we believe that our organization has a duty to create an atmosphere of respect, connection, and growth for all members and future generations.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kristin Sosnowsky, President
Louisiana State University
Kip Marsh, Vice President
Brooklyn College
Tiza Garland, Treasurer
University of Florida
Holly Poe Durbin, Immediate Past President
University of California, Irvine
Mary Beth Easley, University of Iowa
Julia Gibson, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Kenneth J. Martin, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Kevin McClatchy, The Ohio State University
Tracy Nunnally, Northern Illinois University
Michelle Polgar, University of Connecticut
Milagros Ponce de León, Pennsylvania State University
Robin Sneller, East 15 Acting School, London
Tony Hagopian Executive Director
URTA AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS
For over 50 years, “The URTAs” have been URTA’s flagship program, bringing together hundreds of MFA candidates across all theatre disciplines—acting, arts leadership, design and technology, directing, and stage management—in a single, centralized recruiting event.
Each year, candidates meet with faculty recruiters from our 45 member universities, along with other top theatre programs, making the URTAs the most accessible pathway to professional theatre training. This unique event saves candidates the stress and expense of coordinating separate interviews, traveling to multiple campuses, and managing numerous applications. It also offers them the chance to discover programs they may not have previously considered, helping them find an ideal fit.
URTA also attendees free workshops, seminars and other educational sessions tailored to emerging artists.
Candidate Awards offer free registration to eligible candidates!
URTA MEMBERSHIP
Our members are the backbone that allow us to pursue our mission and elevate the professional field. URTA members are committed to professional standards in theatrical production and training, a fair and honest recruiting process, and the principles of integrity and respect. Members retain accomplished faculty and provide quality facilities and the other essential resources and technology needed to allow graduate students the ability to reach the full potential of their training. Their students are provided exposure to professional practice, either through a partnership with a resident theatre, regular engagement of guest artists, or other means. Most of our members offer financial assistance in the form of paid assistantships, tuition remission, scholarships, stipends, or a combination thereof.
California
California Institute of the Arts
University of California/Irvine
University of California/Los Angeles
California State University/Fullerton
California State University/Long Beach
San Diego State University
Connecticut
University of Connecticut
Florida
University of Florida
Florida State University FSU/Asolo Conservatory
Georgia
University of Georgia
Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign
Illinois State University
Northwestern University
Northern Illinois University
Indiana
Indiana University
Purdue University
Iowa
University of Iowa
Louisiana
Louisiana State University
Maryland
University of Maryland
Massachusetts
Boston University
Michigan
Michigan State University
Wayne State University
Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Missouri
University of Missouri/Kansas City
New York
Brooklyn College
Nevada
University of Nevada/Las Vegas
Nebraska
University of Nebraska/Lincoln
North Carolina
University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill
Ohio
Case Western Reserve University
University of Cincinnati/CCM Kent State University
Ohio University
Ohio State University
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University
Temple University
South Carolina
University of South Carolina
Tennessee
University of Tennessee/Knoxville
Texas
Southern Methodist University
University of Texas/Austin
Texas State University/San Marcos
Washington
University of Washington
West Virginia
West Virginia University
International
Drama Studio London
East 15 Acting School/London
*URTA admits members based on an appraisal of the qualities of their training program(s). URTA does not function as an accreditation or compliance agency. Students seeking assistance with matters related to their individual experience should contact the appropriate office at the applicable university.
LATEST NEWS
URTA Welcomes New Member Drama Studio London
This fall, URTA proudly welcomes Drama Studio London as its newest member institution! Part of the University of West London, DSL is based in a Victorian manor house in Ealing; a pastoral area of West London with plenty of parks, open spaces and cultural activities, famed for its connections to the film and TV industries.
URTA DESIGNER SHOWCASE RETURNS TO LDI SHOW
NEW YORK – The URTA Designer Showcase, will take place at the LDI Show in Las Vegas, Sunday December 8, 2024. The one-day event provides designers and technicians the opportunity to present their work and network with potential graduate school recruiters, employers, and other professionals in the field of live entertainment. As part of LDI’s
2024 Awards for Excellence Announced
URTA proudly announces the recipients of the 2024 Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Training. The awards recognize outstanding work of undergraduate instructors, coaches, and mentors, as well as institutions, for excellence in the training and preparation of undergraduate theatre artists. This year’s award recipients are: Individuals Acting – Professor Jacqueline Duprey, University of Puerto Rico,
2023 URTA Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Training
With great pride, URTA announces the recipients of the 2023 Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Training. The awards recognize outstanding work of undergraduate instructors, coaches, and mentors, as well as institutions, for excellence in the training and preparation of undergraduate theatre artists. This year’s award recipients are: Individuals Acting – Assistant Professor Amelia McClain, University
How to Nurture Alumni Connections for Your Theatre Program
by Jerry Tsai For college and university theatre programs, instructing and training students to succeed in their professional endeavors is your number one objective. However, your relationships with these artists don’t—and shouldn’t—end with their graduation! Maintaining connections with your program’s alumni provides a variety of benefits. When your graduates succeed, your program’s reputation improves,
“Cultivating Conservatories of Inclusion” – Session to discuss training program for students and faculty from all backgrounds
The first in-person URTA Convening Day will take place during the URTA Auditions & Interviews (the “URTAs”) at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Saturday January 28, 2023. The primary event will be the plenary discussion “Cultivating Conservatories of Inclusion”. Guest speakers will include Natalie Sowell, Director of the School of Theatre at UNC Greensboro;
