Theatre

Degree programs

UMKC Theatre is a team of creative experts who actively work in professional theatre, and we want to help you on your journey to become a creative professional. We'll train you in the many arts, crafts and traditions of theatre to give you a solid foundation for your future career in the creative industry. We specialize in the development of actors, designers, technicians and historians. You'll be exposed to a wide range of theatrical influences and traditions with the guidance of experienced mentors.

In Conservatory tradition, you'll receive intensive hands-on training while simultaneously gaining analytical skills offered by a liberal arts education. We make theatre not only in UMKC's performing venues, but in many of Greater Kansas City's professional theatres. We emphasize theatre's role in civic dialogue, as well as giving you professional exposure and contacts.

Theatre is a passion and Kansas City is our stage.

Goals and objectives

Provide you with the skills necessary to establish a rewarding career in an expanding profession.
Strengthen and develop relationships with professional theatres, artists and communities in Greater Kansas City and devise major projects and initiatives that can make an impact on the national stage.
Expand working spaces for our productions, rehearsals and craft shops.
Enhance the network of UMKC Theatre alumni who will maintain participation by supporting current students and new theatre-making initiatives in Kansas City.
Further strengthen our national reputation as a major American theatre training institution.

MFA Program Admission Information

There’s no better place to begin a theatre education and career in Missouri than at UMKC. While the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts is broad in scope, it allows you to develop specific areas of interest, such as acting or design. The general degree requirements, combined with the core major requirements, provide a well-rounded educational experience. Production experience and internship opportunities give undergraduate Theatre majors the chance to apply classroom theory to practical situations. Taking part as a crew member or performer in one of the departmental productions or interning at a professional theatre are integral aspects of this degree.

The centerpiece of the UMKC Department of Theatre is the Master of Fine Arts professional training program. The program is routinely recognized as one of the best in the nation. As an undergraduate, you’ll have the advantage of working closely with our graduate faculty and students, encouraging you to reach for higher standards in your work while preparing you for the profession or for graduate school.

Bachelor of Arts: Theater

UMKC's Master of Fine Arts in Acting provides a rigorous three-year conservatory training program nestled in the urban playground of the Kansas City metro. Students receive comprehensive training through studios, devising, and performance opportunities, alongside professional partnerships with nationally recognized local Equity theatres, including the KC Rep, the Kansas City Actors Theatre, the Unicorn Theatre, and the Coterie Theatre, to name a few.

A cohort of 8-12 students is accepted every other year. Individual cohorts will train together, perform with other students on the UMKC mainstage, and will work alongside industry professionals during their third year. Cohorts will receive focused, individualized attention through their trajectory from core faculty as well as several guest artists.

The UMKC Conservatory is a place for training actors, refining artists, and shaping the future of the industry.

We will be accepting our next cohort for the Fall of 2025. As an URTA member school we will be attending auditions in Philadelphia and Chicago, as well as the virtual auditions. On-campus auditions will be held December 14th. Please complete this form for more information and to register for the Kansas City auditions.

Master of Fine Arts: Acting

Scenic Design
The Scenic Design emphasis is a rigorous program that prepares students for a successful and extensive career in theatre, opera, dance, commercial design, and other forms of creative design. Over three years, students in this program will focus on innovative projects related to visual storytelling in both theory and practical classes. A strong emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary collaboration between the Scenic Design MFAs and the community of other MFA design and technology students. In addition to coursework, students will have multiple design opportunities both within the conservatory and with regional theatre partners, culminating in a thesis project in their final year. After developing integral skills of the craft such as drafting, rendering, digital and physical model building, and working in the scenic studio to execute various productions in the main season, students will emerge as innovative collaborators, confidently entering the professional world of design for live entertainment.
Costume Design and Technology
The Costume Design and Technology emphasis prioritizes a balance between the art and craft of the discipline. Students' creative career aspirations will be met with personalized training from a faculty of established working professionals. The program prepares students for elite positions within the field, ranging from professional costume designer to costume shop manager and beyond, with its targeted courses that provide numerous experiences in both the creation and implementation of the costuming process.
Technical Direction
The Technical Direction emphasis is a dynamic program designed for hands-on, multi-faceted training. With small class sizes, students benefit from personalized mentorship and collaboration. The three-year program offers a robust blend of classroom learning, academic production leadership, and professional connections with Kansas City's vibrant theater scene. Gain industry-standard skills in CAD, fabrication, management, rigging, automation, and structural design. UMKC’s MFA program challenges students with real-world projects, preparing them for a competitive and evolving industry. Elevate your technical direction expertise and build a career on a foundation of excellence.
Digital and Immersive Media
Digital and Immersive Media Design offers an innovative program that prepares students to excel in the rapidly evolving fields of projection design, multimedia art, and immersive storytelling. This program focuses on practical and theoretical aspects of digital media creation for live performance across theatre, dance, and music. Students will develop essential skills in various software and techniques while working collaboratively with artists and performers in Kansas City's vibrant arts scene. Graduates will leave with a robust portfolio, equipped for diverse career paths in the creative industry.
Sound Design
The Sound Design emphasis prioritizes training in dramatic interpretation paired with a mastery of recording studio, audio production skills, and composition. Graduates in Sound Design program are prepared to design for professional theatres, broadcast productions, film compositions and more.
Stage Management
The Stage Management program provides a fusion of theory and practice, offering a broad base of knowledge in all aspects of production necessary for interactions with every part of the production process. The program emphasizes clear communication and problem-solving skills, vital for knowing the best ways to share important information quickly and appropriately. Graduate coursework balances comprehensive education with extensive production opportunities across the UMKC Conservatory in Theater, Dance and Music performance, as well as opportunities throughout the active Kansas City arts community, engaging students with practical experiences that will prepare them for a wide range of career options.