URTA AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS
“The URTAs” are an annual recruiting event held each year in multiple cities, bringing together prospective MFA candidates and faculty recruiters from dozens of top theatre programs.
ARTIST ENGAGEMENT SERVICES
URTA offers the only nonprofit paymaster service of its kind.
We set the stage for contracting union and non-union guest artists and crew at universities and for other producing clients.
AWARDS
URTA Awards support prospective students, promising graduates, 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
Led by distinguished faculty and professionals, URTA conducts workshops and
panels covering all areas of theatre throughout the year, at events nationwide.
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 to ensure the continued renewal of the American theatre by supporting excellence in the professional training of new artists.
URTA continues to develop programs and services that answer the needs of university theatres, training programs, and individual artists. Whether it’s articulating the highest standards for professional 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 EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
As educators and artists focused on the discovery and fostering of new talent, and the creation of socially relevant art and new information in our respective areas and disciplines, we acknowledge and value the absolute necessity of applied efforts in equity, diversity, and inclusion in our classrooms, studios, theaters, and work spaces. We assert that these values are essential as an active practice on every level of recruitment, hiring, teaching, and production. As an organization focused on the stability, welfare and continuing development of its membership community, URTA seeks to serve as a hub for the sharing of experiences, actions, and best practices in these efforts amongst our constituency. If theatre serves as a mirror for humanity, an agent for social change, an inspiration towards greater good, it is clear that we as theatre makers and educators owe it to ourselves, our colleagues, our greater communities, and our current and future students to focus on these issues in an active and thoughtful way.
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, Director
University of Iowa
Julia Gibson, Director
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Kenneth J. Martin, Dept Head/Artistic Dir.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Kevin McClatchy, Director
The Ohio State University
Tracy Nunnally, Director
Northern Illinois University
Michelle Polgar, Director
University of Connecticut
Milagros Ponce de León, Director
Pennsylvania State University
Robin Sneller, Director
East 15 Acting School, London
STAFF
Tony Hagopian
Executive Director
Sara Ross
Director – Education Programs
Terry LaCasse
Accounts Manager
Abel Marquez
Project Manager
Emily Ross
Staff Associate
URTA AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS
“The URTAs” have been our flagship program for more than 50 years. Every year, hundreds of MFA candidates from all theatre disciplines–acting, arts leadership, design and technology, directing, and stage management–take part in this recruiting event where they have the opportunity to meet with faculty recruiters from among our 47 member universities and other top theatre programs, all in one place. The URTAs are the most accessible way to pursue professional theatre training, for all potential candidates.
Training programs find the URTAs to be an unparalleled resource for recruiting the most promising graduate students to their schools, and candidates avoid the expense and anxiety of arranging dozens of separate interviews, travelling to numerous campuses, and navigating applications for countless institutions. It can also be a unique way for candidates to discover programs they may have not otherwise been familiar with, but which may be their perfect fit.
The URTA Auditions & Interviews include a wealth of other programming, including the Guest Auditions (with non-member institutions), Undergrad Preview, and a full slate of continuing education sessions.
Candidate Awards provide free registration to certain eligible candidates, including those in the areas of sound design and arts leadership.
URTA MEMBERSHIP
Our members are the backbone that allow us to pursue our mission in an impactful way, 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.
URTA members retain accomplished faculty who continue to work professionally, 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
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 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;
URTA Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Training – 2022
URTA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Training. The awards recognize outstanding work of undergraduate instructors, coaches, mentors, as well as institutions, for excellence in the training and preparation of undergraduate theatre artists. This year’s award recipients are: Individuals Acting – Dr. Baron Kelly, University of Wisconsin-Madison
