2025 URTA Auditions & Interviews
Be seen by dozens of top MFA programs with a single registration and in a single day! The URTAs are the most accessible way to pursue professional theatre training for prospective candidates from a variety of theatrical disciplines – acting, arts leadership, design and technology, directing, and stage management. In addition to connecting with recruiters from top graduates schools, candidates also have access to a variety of informational sessions and workshops during the URTAs – be sure to check the continuing education page for sessions details.
The URTA event dates, locations, and details are below – please review the information on your particular area of interest. Prior to registering for the URTAs, candidates are encouraged to review the Candidate Handbook and other information available on this webpage. When ready to apply, click the Candidate Registration link below to be directed to Acceptd in order to complete the URTA candidate registration.
ACTING
- Philadelphia, PA: Jan. 10 – 12, 2025
URTA Auditions and Guest Auditions
Location: Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
In-Person Auditions - Fullerton, CA: Jan. 18 & 19, 2025
URTA Auditions (Guest Auditions combined)
Location: California State University, Fullerton
Hybrid Auditions: candidates in-person; recruiters remote (live-online) - Chicago, IL: Jan. 26 – 29, 2025
URTA Auditions and Guest Auditions
Location: Palmer House Hilton
In-Person Auditions - Virtual Auditions: Feb. 2, 2025
URTA Auditions (Guest Auditions combined)
Location: Online
Live-Virtual Auditions: candidates and recruiters remote (live-online)
ARTS LEADERSHIP
- Virtual Interviews: Feb. 1, 2025
Location: Online
Live-Virtual Interviews: candidates and recruiters remote (live-online)
DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY
- Virtual Interviews: Jan. 15, 2025
Focus Areas recruiting: ALL (costume, lighting, projection/media, properties, scenic, sound, technical direction)
Location: Online
Live-Virtual Interviews: candidates and recruiters remote (live-online)
- Chicago: Jan. 24 & 25, 2025
Focus Areas recruiting: costume, lighting, projection/media, properties, scenic, technical direction. There will be NO sound recruiting in Chicago.
Location: Palmer House Hilton
In-Person Interviews
DIRECTING
- Virtual Interviews: Jan. 31 & Feb. 1, 2025
Location: Online
Live-Virtual Interviews: candidates and recruiters remote (live-online)
STAGE MANAGEMENT
- Virtual Interviews: Jan. 31 & Feb. 1, 2025
Location: Online
Live-Virtual Interviews: candidates and recruiters remote (live-online)
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
More information on our member universities, including MFAs offered, recruiting cycles, financial assistance, and details about their programs.
GUEST AUDITIONS
The Guest Auditions, attended by non-member institutions, are a great way for acting candidates to be seen by even more schools during the URTAs.
WORKSHOPS & SESSIONS
The URTAs are more than just recruiting! Candidates have access to free continuing education opportunities, with workshops and informational sessions covering a variety of topics.
If you’re a theatre artist in pursuit of graduate training, the URTAs set the stage for you!
CANDIDATE REGISTRATION
Candidate registration for the 2025 URTAs is open! Don’t delay – register before Nov. 24 for early-bird pricing.
RECRUITER REGISTRATION
URTA member faculty recruiters, register here. (Non-member recruiters, scroll down to the Guest Auditions to register).
UNIVERSITIES TAKING PART
The Attendees list reflects the most up-to-date list of programs registered to recruit at the 2025 URTAs.
INTERVIEW PREPARATION
Don’t neglect your interview! Great insight on how to prepare from current MFAs.
The list below reflects the programs currently registered to recruit at the 2025 URTA Auditions & Interviews.
New programs will be added as they register.
Schools will be registering to recruit at the 2025 URTAs throughout the fall. Check back regularly for updates.
Event | School | Disciplines | Program Types | Cities |
---|---|---|---|---|
Guests | Academy of Art University | Acting | MA, MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
Guests | Atlantic Acting School | Acting | Conservatory | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | Boston University | Directing | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Boston University | Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Boston University | Sound | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Brooklyn College, CUNY | Arts Leadership, Directing | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Brooklyn College, CUNY | Costume, Lighting, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | California Institute of the Arts | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Philadelphia |
URTAs | California Institute of the Arts | Costume, Lighting, Projection/Media, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | California Institute of the Arts | Sound | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | California Institute of the Arts | Arts Leadership, Directing, Stage Management | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | California State University, Fullerton | Costume, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Case Western Reserve University | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | Drama Studio London | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | East 15 Acting School – University of Essex | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Philadelphia |
URTAs | East 15 Acting School – University of Essex | Directing | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Florida State University | Costume, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Florida State University | Arts Leadership | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Florida State University | Directing | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Florida State University/ Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
Guests | Guildford School of Acting, University of Surrey | Acting | Conservatory, MA, MFA | CSU Fullerton, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | Illinois State University | Directing | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Illinois State University | Costume, Lighting, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Indiana University | Costume, Lighting, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Kent State University | Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Louisiana State University | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | Louisiana State University | Costume, Properties, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
Guests | Mary Baldwin University & American Shakespeare Center | Acting | MA, MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | Michigan State University | Costume, Lighting, Projection/Media, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Michigan State University | Sound | MFA | Live-Virtual |
Guests | National Theater Institute (NTI) at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center | Acting | Conservatory | Chicago, Philadelphia |
URTAs | Northern Illinois University | Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Northwestern University | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | Northwestern University | Directing | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Northwestern University | Costume, Lighting, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
Guests | NYFA College of Performing Arts (New York Film Academy) | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | Ohio University | Costume, Lighting, Properties, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Ohio University | Sound | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) | Costume, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Purdue University | Lighting, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Purdue University | Sound | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Purdue University | Acting | MFA | Chicago, Philadelphia |
URTAs | San Diego State University | Costume, Lighting, Projection/Media, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
Guests | SCAD, Savannah College of Art and Design | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
Guests | Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy at the George Washington University | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Philadelphia |
URTAs | Southern Methodist University | Costume, Lighting, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
Guests | Stella Adler Studio of Acting | Acting | Conservatory | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | Temple University | Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
Guests | Terry Knickerbocker Studio | Acting | Conservatory | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Texas State University | Directing | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | Texas State University | Costume, Lighting, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
Guests | The Actors Conservatory | Acting | Conservatory | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
Guests | The New School – School of Drama | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | The Ohio State University | Costume, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | The University of Texas at Austin | Costume, Lighting, Projection/Media, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | UMKC – University of Missouri, Kansas City | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | UMKC – University of Missouri, Kansas City | Costume, Projection/Media, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | UMKC – University of Missouri, Kansas City | Stage Management | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Alberta | Directing | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Alberta | Costume, Lighting, Projection/Media, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of California, Irvine | Stage Management | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of California, Irvine | Costume, Lighting, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of California, Irvine | Sound | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Costume, Lighting, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Directing | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) | Stage Management | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) | Costume, Lighting, Properties, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) | Sound | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Connecticut | Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Florida | Costume, Lighting, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Florida | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | University of Georgia | Costume, Lighting, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
Guests | University of Houston | Acting | Conservatory, MFA | Chicago, Philadelphia |
URTAs | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Stage Management | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Sound | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Costume, Lighting, Projection/Media, Properties, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Iowa | Stage Management | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Iowa | Costume, Lighting, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Maryland | Costume, Lighting, Projection/Media, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Minnesota | Costume, Lighting, Projection/Media, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Minnesota | Sound | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Nebraska | Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Stage Management | MFA | Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Technical Direction | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Acting | MFA | Chicago, Philadelphia |
URTAs | University of South Carolina | Costume, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
URTAs | University of Tennessee – Knoxville | Acting | MFA | CSU Fullerton, Chicago, Live-Virtual, Philadelphia |
URTAs | University of Washington | Acting | MFA | Chicago, Philadelphia |
URTAs | West Virginia University | Costume, Lighting, Scenic | MFA | Chicago, Live-Virtual |
Guest (non-member) programs looking to recruit actors at the 2025 Guest Auditions, please register here.
2025 URTA Guest Auditions
Expand the scope of your grad school search by attending the URTA Guest Auditions (formerly called the Satellite Auditions).
While the URTA Auditions allow you to audition for our many member schools at one time, the Guest Auditions provide the opportunity to be seen by even more programs. Guest programs are quality institutions that are not current members of URTA, but may offer you promising ways to extend your training. Many highly regarded training programs (including several international schools) have taken part in the Guest Auditions in previous years.
The Guest Auditions are open to all acting candidates registered for the URTAs, and operate in much the same way (you can even perform the same audition material). Your Guest Audition will NOT be scheduled on the same day as your URTA audition to avoid conflicts with any potential callback interviews. Please review the Guest Audition dates, locations, and event details for more information.
2025 URTA Guest Auditions will take place in:
- Philadelphia, PA: Jan. 10 – 12, 2025
Guest Auditions (an optional second day of auditions, which candidates may add to their URTA registration)
Location: Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square
In-Person Auditions - Chicago, IL: Jan. 26 – 29, 2025
Guest Auditions (an optional second day of auditions, which candidates may add to their URTA registration)
Location: Palmer House Hilton
In-Person Auditions
Guest programs attend the URTA Auditions in:
- Fullerton, CA: Jan. 18 & 19, 2025
URTA Auditions (Guests combined with URTA Auditions, no additional registration needed)
Location: California State University, Fullerton
Hybrid Auditions: candidates in-person; recruiters remote (live-online) - Virtual Auditions: Feb. 2, 2025
URTA Auditions (Guests combined with URTA Auditions, no additional registration needed)
Location: Online
Live-Virtual Auditions: candidates and recruiters remote (live-online)
Want to participate in the Guest Auditions? If you are attending the in-person URTAs in Philadelphia or Chicago, add the Guest Auditions when you’re registering for the URTAs on Acceptd (a modest additional fee applies). If you are attending the Virtual URTAs or the hybrid URTAs at Fullerton, the Guest programs will be in attendance at the URTA Auditions (no additional registration is needed). See the list of Guest programs registered to recruit in each location in the Attendees list above, and learn more about the Guest programs in the Catalog of Guest Recruiters.
INTERVIEW PREPARATION
You’ve carefully selected your monologues and worked tirelessly with your acting coach. Your design portfolio is ready, with attention paid to every last detail. Your prompt book, writing samples, and letters of recommendation are all ready to go.
But once your presentation is done, what happens when you get to the interview? Have you given any thought to that extremely important part of the recruiting process?
Walking into an interview unprepared can be just as detrimental as a poorly prepared audition or design portfolio.
So what should you think about, well ahead of entering the room and sitting down with faculty recruiters? Check out the topics to the right, and video testimonials from current MFAs below, for invaluable inspiration!
Be able to answer for yourself: What do I want from a MFA program? If you’re serious about graduate training, you should have an idea about what it is you’re looking for. Maybe you’re an actor who wants to focus on your vocal production? Are you a costume designer who feels the need to improve your technical skills? Perhaps you’re a stage management candidate looking for as much hands-on production experience as possible. Maybe it’s simply a matter of finding that intense, professional training that you’ve never had.
As an artist, you should have a good idea of why you’re pursuing grad school. Once you’ve determined that, you can begin to look for programs that serve your need.
Find out what makes the many different MFA programs unique. Don’t start with a limited list of schools — discover all that’s out there. You may be surprised to find yourself intrigued by a school you never considered, if you take the time to do your research.
URTA’s Directory of Member Programs is a good place to start exploring our schools. Check out the departments’ websites, track down alumni, faculty, and current students. Reach out to them with an email and see what they have to say.
Your research should lead you to a list of questions you’ll have, should you interview with a particular school. What financial assistance is available? What relationships do they maintain with professional theatres? Maybe they offer a unique international component you’d like to hear more about, or a particular instructor whose background interests you?
If you’ve done your homework, you won’t be dumbfounded when the interviewer asks you, “Do you have any questions for us?” and you’ll leave the interview with more information and tools with which to make your decision.
After the interview, it’s not over! If a school took the time to interview you, they’re definitely interested. But the recruiters are only human and they are interviewing many candidates over several weeks. You need to remind them about who you are, and continue to build the relationship. Make sure you leave your interview with proper contact information, so you can follow up with an email. Maybe you have additional questions you forgot, or didn’t have time, to ask. Maybe there’s pertinent materials you still need to send them. Even a simple, ‘thank you’ can go a long way toward building a relationship with potential instructors and mentors.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
The URTA Auditions & Interviews are not the same as the “Unified Auditions” for undergraduate programs. Only URTA-member MFA programs and qualified guest institutions take part in the URTAs.
The live-virtual URTAs will run very similarly to the in-person URTAs, and serve as an option for candidates who are unable to participate in-person for any reason.
The live-virtual auditions and interviews will take place live, online on the specific dates listed here on the URTA website. By attending the live-virtual URTAs, candidates will be seen by all of the schools registered to recruit online in their specific disciplines – review the Attendees list above to see which programs will be recruiting at the live-virtual URTAs, as not all schools recruit at all events.
All applications must be submitted in advance on Acceptd, there are no walk-ins/same-day registrations accepted for the live-virtual URTAs. For candidates who would like to participate in the live-virtual auditions, select the Virtual application for your discipline on Acceptd.
Please be sure to review the Candidate Handbook for details on the event, how to prepare, and what technology requirements will be necessary to participate in the live-virtual URTAs.
The URTAs are open to anyone eligible to attend graduate school beginning in the fall semester following the event. You will be asked to provide your undergraduate degree information (school, degree earned, and gpa) in your URTA registration. Keep in mind that you do not need to have a theater degree from undergrad in order to apply for theater grad programs — many successful candidates have come from a wide variety of backgrounds.
If you are currently in undergrad, you are welcome to participate as long as you will have completed your undergrad degree by the fall semester following the URTAs. If you will not receive your degree by that time, you will need to wait to register for a future event. However, we offer an Undergrad Preview program, which gives prospective candidates a chance to see how the URTAs process works to prepare for the future. This program must be set up by your undergraduate faculty for you and a group of your classmates. Faculty can email theurtas@urta.com to get more information about Undergrad Preview.
You can see the list of schools registered to recruit at the URTAs by scrolling up on this page to the Attendees section. The list can be filtered to show only the disciplines of interest to you. This list will be updated as schools register, so please check back regularly for any updates.
Nope! No additional applications or fees are required before you to attend the URTAs. However, many schools may require you to complete their university’s application process after the URTAs before they can formally consider you for their program, or make you an official offer. Each school has a different procedure, and we strongly urge you to check with the schools you are most interested in and see what they require.
In some cases, a school may ask you to submit a formal application during your interview in order to establish your interest. This is not an offer for a place at their school; they may simply need to have your completed application in order to consider you for a spot in their program.
Once you fill out the URTA registration on Acceptd, you will be directed to a page where you can pay. If you have any difficulty with payment, please contact Acceptd’s customer support using the ‘Help’ button displayed on the application page.
There are various participation options for the 2025 URTAs – some are in-person, some are live-virtual, and there is a hybrid option at Cal State Fullerton. Scroll to the top of this page to review the dates/locations for each recruiting discipline, and be sure to review the Candidate Handbook for details on what to expect and how to prepare for the URTAs.
Guest Auditions are attended by programs that are not members of URTA. These programs range from MFA programs to conservatory-certificates, cover a broad range of training methods, and offer a great opportunity to broaden your search for professional training programs, doubling the number of programs who will see your audition.
The Guest Auditions are an optional second day of in-person acting auditions in Philadelphia and Chicago, which URTA acting candidates can add in their initial URTA registration on Acceptd for a nominal fee. For candidates that have already completed their URTA registration on Acceptd, and wish to add Guest Auditions, please email theurtas@urta.com to inquire about availability. A candidate must be registered for the URTA Auditions to take part in the Guest Auditions.
It is not possible to do both your URTA Audition and your Guest Audition on the same day. Candidates will be scheduled for two separate (often consecutive) dates for their URTA and Guest auditions. The audition process is very similar, and you may perform the same material, if you like. Refer to the Candidate Handbook for more information.
For acting candidates participating in the Live-Virtual auditions or the hybrid auditions at Fullerton, there is no option to add Guest Auditions. All Guest programs registered to recruit at these events will attend the URTA Auditions along with the member programs.
To see the Guest programs registered in each location, scroll up to the Attendees list. The Guest Catalog is a good starting place for researching the Guest programs.
Most candidates pursuing graduate-level training are focused on a particular area of study–acting, design, directing, etc. If you’re unsure where your interests and strengths lie, consider speaking with a trusted professor or mentor to weigh all your options.
If you are truly serious about multiple fields, you must submit separate applications to register for each discipline. Candidates may email theurtas@urta.com to receive a discount code for 50% off the URTA registration fee on their second application (further instructions included in the Acceptd application). Please realize, that a given graduate program will likely only consider you in a single area.
Candidates in design and technology may select up to two areas of focus on their registration (e.g. costume, scenic, sound, etc.).
Please note: a candidate may only apply for to attend one location/URTA event within a specific discipline (e.g. – you cannot participate in both in-person and virtual acting auditions).
If you’re a candidate registering in directing, stage management or arts leadership, you will need to prepare a “common packet” of materials, which you will submit through Acceptd. The Candidate Handbook details what materials are required in the “common packet”.
After your application is submitted in Acceptd, programs may reach out to you to request additional information or arrange pre-interviews. Candidates are also encouraged to reach out to programs to introduce themselves.
You will be scheduled to attend one day of live-virtual recruiting, and your interview schedule will be pre-scheduled based on the faculty review of your Acceptd application. On your scheduled date, your interviews will take place on Zoom.
If you are a candidate in directing, stage management, or arts leadership, you do need letters of recommendation, as part of your “common packet”. Keep in mind, these are not formal, sealed letters that you may have requested for college applications in the past. Your recommenders will be able to upload their letters directly to your Acceptd application after you have submitted your registration.
Candidates in other areas do not need recommendation letters to register for the URTAs, however you may need formal letters of recommendation later down the line, if you are asked to complete school applications or if you are made a formal offer.
Unfortunately no, you cannot choose your date. If you have a conflict with a specific date or dates, you have the opportunity to indicate those conflicts within your Acceptd application, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
The value of the URTA Auditions & Interviews are that they preclude the need for individual auditions. Some of our members only recruit via the URTAs. However, we always suggest that you be your own best advocate. If you have keen interest in a particular school, you should feel free to send them your headshot/resume, or a link to your design portfolio, along with a note expressing your interest to that particular program. You can do this weeks in advance of the URTAs. If a school knows you are interested, they may seek you out the day of your audition or portfolio review. By reaching out, you’ve indicated that you’re a motivated candidate, who has done their research.
Bottom line: If you have great interest in a certain school, contact them. Nothing can be lost by opening a dialogue.
URTA’s Guest Auditions are open to producing theatres that may wish to recruit for their summer companies, and past guest institutions have included Actors Theatre of Louisville, PCPA Theatrefest, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Blue Man Group, Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival, the Glimmerglass Festival, and others. However, most years our recruiters are made up primarily of MFA programs seeking graduate students.
Scroll up this page to see what institutions are registered to attend for the current year.
You will receive important information, including your scheduled URTAs date, via Acceptd messages. Please log in to your Acceptd account often to check your messages, to be sure you don’t miss any important information.
It is also important that you check the email address you listed within your application often, both for updates/information from URTA, as well as potential emails from recruiters that may want to speak with you in advance of the event.
You will have a log-in for your Acceptd account and can log in and out to make updates and changes prior to submitting each stage of your Acceptd registration. There are two stages to all URTA registrations on Acceptd, and after you have submitted a stage it is locked and cannot be edited on your end. Once you have submitted your full registration (both stages), if you need to make any changes, URTA can make them on your behalf. To request changes to a fully submitted registration, contact URTA though Acceptd messages, or at theurtas@urta.com. Please note: changes cannot be made after the URTA registration closing date.
If a candidate should need to make a change to their scheduled URTAs date, requests should be made promptly in writing to theurtas@urta.com. While URTA makes best efforts to accommodate change requests, scheduling is based on availability, therefore not all requests can be accommodated. Any change requests received within 30 days of the start of the URTAs will incur a change fee.
The URTAs are a full day commitment, therefore we ask that you make no other plans or commitments on the day of your URTA Auditions & Interviews. Since we don’t know in advance how many callback interviews you may receive, we cannot tell you how long your day will be, but some interviews may go into the evening.
Please refer to the Candidate Handbook for sample schedules and timing based on your discipline.
Yes! Philadelphia and New York City are in close proximity, with many quick and affordable travel options. Philadelphia and NYC are approximately 1.5 hours apart by train (Amtrak), or approximately 2 hours apart by car or bus (there are many bus companies that provide service between these cities).
However, please keep in mind that the URTAs are a full day commitment, therefore we ask that you make no other plans or commitments on the day of your URTA Auditions & Interviews. Since we don’t know in advance how many callback interviews you may receive, we cannot tell you how long your day will be, but some interviews may go late into the evening. Also, if plan to participate in the URTA Guest Auditions (an optional second-day of auditions for non-member programs) you will need to be available for a second full-day, as your URTA and Guest Auditions cannot take place on the same day.
Acting auditions are two minutes in length. Timing starts when you begin your first piece.
We strongly advise you to choose two contrasting pieces, such as a contemporary piece paired with a classical piece, however you are not required to, and may use your two minutes however you choose. Audition guidelines and other tips for selecting pieces can be found in the Candidate Handbook, so please review the acting section for details.
Interviews are 15 minutes long. Interview styles vary, but usually the recruiter is trying to get a sense of who you are and what you are looking for in a grad program, while at the same time telling you about the program they represent. Candidates can greatly increase the productivity of this time by doing some research in advance. That way, instead of the recruiter talking generally about their school, they can jump right in with details important to you and how you will fit into their program. Review the schools registered to recruit in your discipline, found in the Attendees list above on this page, and research those schools using the Membership Directory. More tips for preparation and what to expect can be found in the Candidate Handbook.
First, continue to research programs that you’re interested in, and that expressed interest in you. Follow up with thank you notes or emails.
You may be asked to submit a formal application to the university, along with their application fee. Please note that the fee you paid to URTA was for your attendance at the URTAs – not an application fee for a particular school or schools.
You might be invited to visit the campus for a required callback audition, and sometimes the school will offer to defray your travel costs. It might also be a good idea to contact current students, or alumni of the program, to hear their thoughts.
You should be sure to read the URTA Offer/Acceptance Policy (in the Candidate Handbook) regarding how and when offers might start to come in, but be aware that once the two-week period is over, an offer could come at any time, and an answer could be required fairly quickly. Make sure you know what you want, where you want to go, who you want to study with, and more.
After the URTAs, recruiters may contact candidates. Take such correspondence as an indication of “interest,” but it should not be interpreted as an official offer. When an official offer is made, it will be clearly stated as such, and accompanied by something in writing.
The process is a two-way street. You are free to inquire whether you’re on a recruiter’s “short list,” or not. And later in the spring, if you don’t get into a program, you can always follow up with an email to see if spots have opened up that you would be perfect to fill.
Please note: The artist-teacher who serves as a recruiter normally does not have a great deal of support staff assisting them. They may not have time to write the “thank you” email to the many candidates they met, and may not have the time to let you know you are NOT in the running for an official offer. This is not an excuse for poor manners, only an explanation of why you might not hear back.
Cancellation Policy: All cancellation requests must be made in writing to URTA at theurtas@urta.com. Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the start of the URTAs will be refunded 100% of the amount paid, minus a $32 cancellation fee. Cancellations made within 30 days of the start of the URTAs, or during the event (including no-shows) will not receive a refund. For the 2025 URTAs, 30 days prior occurs on December 11, 2024. All donations made to the Pay It Forward Candidate Award are non-refundable.
Change Policy: Candidates are given the opportunity to provide schedule conflicts within the URTA application in order to avoid changes to their scheduled URTAs date. If a candidate should need to make a change to their scheduled URTAs date, requests should be made promptly in writing to theurtas@urta.com. While URTA makes best efforts to accommodate change requests, scheduling is based on availability, therefore not all requests can be accommodated. Any change requests received within 30 days of the start of the URTAs will incur a $15 change fee. For the 2025 URTAs, this date is December 11, 2024.
Walk-ins/same-day registrations are only accepted at the in-person and hybrid Acting auditions, and the in-person Design/Tech event, pending availability (space is limited). Candidates are strongly encouraged to register in advance on Acceptd to guarantee their space. There will be NO walk-ins/same-day registrations accepted at any of the virtual URTA events. Please refer to the Candidate Handbook for additional information.
Free registration is available for eligible candidates through our Candidate Award program. Learn more on our Awards page.
Absolutely! While many URTA candidates are just completing their undergraduate degree, all ages are welcome to participate. Most MFA programs seek to recruit graduate students of varied ages and backgrounds to provide a more diverse program for all involved. Training programs are very interested in experienced candidates – people who have spent some time pursuing their craft professionally.
Yes! Like all candidates, international candidates are encouraged to review the Candidate Handbook for information about what to expect at the URTAs, and how to prepare. There is a specific section in the Handbook for International Candidates, and we encourage you to review this prior to applying for the URTAs.
Please review the Candidate Handbook, which is a comprehensive guide on the URTAs process, what to expect, and how to prepare. You will likely find the answer to your question, and much more in the handbook. If you still have questions after reviewing the handbook, please send an email to: TheUrtas@urta.com. All emails will be replied to in a timely fashion.