Registration is officially open for the 2026 URTA Auditions & Interviews—widely known as The URTAs. For the first time in the event’s history, Atlanta will serve as a site for Acting Auditions, hosted generously by Spelman College. Other sites will once again include Philadelphia, Chicago, and Fullerton, CA, along with remote options.

Produced by the University Resident Theatre Association (URTA), the annual auditions and interviews provide MFA candidates in all theatrical disciplines—including acting, directing, design & technology, stage management, and arts leadership—a unique opportunity to connect with recruiters from dozens of graduate theatre programs across the U.S. and abroad.

“We’re extremely excited to add Atlanta as an audition site in 2026,” said Tony Hagopian, Executive Director of URTA. “Adding a southeastern venue has been a priority for several years, and Spelman College has stepped up in a remarkable way. We are so grateful, and can’t wait to welcome students there.”

In addition to the URTA Auditions, acting candidates may also participate in the Guest Auditions—a separate audition attended by non-URTA institutions, including MFA programs, conservatories, and international MA programs. In recent years, 20–30 such institutions have taken part, joining URTA’s 47 member universities.
All URTA member institutions undergo a peer review process to evaluate their MFA programs and ensure they provide meaningful financial assistance, such as tuition remission, scholarships, paid assistantships, stipends, or a combination of these.

URTA also offers Candidate Awards, which provide free registration to qualified applicants in all disciplines, including all candidates in Sound Design and Arts Leadership. Details are available at urta.com/awards.

Registration and additional information: urta.com/events