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Graduate Program in Theatre (MFA) Faculty of Graduate Studies
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How to Apply

Aerial view of Vari Hall with the Ross Building behind it

If you would like to be notified when the application for admission becomes available please e-mail gradthea@yorku.ca. In your e-mail please be sure to indicate which stream (Performance Creation or Design) you are interested in.

Apply Online to York

The below application materials can all be submitted online.

  • Application for Graduate Admission & Application Fee

Once your application has been processed, you’ll be able to upload the following application materials:

  • Supplementary Program Information Form
  • Three Professional Letters of Reference
  • Resume
  • Statement of Interest which briefly describe your present interests and directions in theatre. Discuss how you feel that the MFA Theatre program will contribute to your career plans and artistic goals. Indicate related interests in the arts and sciences or other fine arts disciplines. (1-2 pages)

Once you have submitted your online application, you should submit transcripts. Note you do not have to wait until all of your online application materials are submitted to submit transcripts.


The University requires one original, official copy of all post-secondary transcripts which should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from the issuing institution:

By Regular Mail:By Courier:
York University
Office of Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box GA2300
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON
Canada M3J 1P3		York University
Office of Graduate Admissions
W322 Bennett Centre for Student Services
99 Ian MacDonald Blvd
Toronto, ON
Canada M3J 1P3

Each stream requires an audition/evaluation.

Performance Creation applicants must present two (2) pieces of their own creative work. The faculty is interested in your individual practice in context, be it movement, design, writing, or any other medium. Please note that one of those pieces could also be a monologue, piece of writing, song, or artwork created by someone else in which you show how you have worked with it in an unusual way. The total time available is 6 minutes per person- please plan accordingly.

Acting applicants must present two (2) monologues — one contemporary, and the other with heightened language, in contrasting styles, each under two minutes in length. Performance applicants will work as a group, exploring movement material and additional improvisations. During this work, applicants should be dressed to allow for ease of movement

At your audition, please submit:

  • $50.00 Audition Fee (payable by cash)
  • 8 x 10″ Photograph

You will be contacted about scheduling an audition once your application is received.  Out-of-town applicants may submit a digital audition of their two (2) monologues.

Auditions at York University will be held on the following dates:

  • Saturday, February 2nd  (Performance Creators)
  • Saturday, March 9th (Directors and Performance Creators)
  • Saturday, March 30th (Directors)

If you are unable to attend in person, please contact the Graduate Program Assistant to arrange a Skype meeting with the Graduate Program Director.

For Directors and Performance Creators, an in-person audition is highly recommended.

Application to the MFA in Theatre is a three-step process:

The below application materials can all be submitted online.

  • Application for Graduate Admission & Application Fee

Once your application has been processed, you’ll be able to upload the following application materials:

  • Supplementary Program Information Form
  • Three Professional Letters of Reference
  • Resume
  • Statement of Interest which briefly describe your present interests and directions in theatre. Discuss how you feel that the MFA Theatre program will contribute to your career plans and artistic goals. Indicate related interests in the arts and sciences or other fine arts disciplines. (1–2 pages)

Once you have submitted your online application, you should submit transcripts. Note you do not have to wait until all of your online application materials are submitted to submit transcripts.
The University requires one original, official copy of all post-secondary transcripts which should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from the issuing institution:

By Regular Mail By Courier
Office of Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box GA2300
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON
Canada M3J 1P3 		York University
Office of Graduate Admissions
W322 Bennett Centre for Student Services
99 Ian MacDonald Blvd
Toronto, ON
Canada M3J 1P3

Each stream requires an audition/evaluation.  We will be contacting candidates for evaluations and interviews to take place in late February to mid-March 2017.  You will be contacted after your application has been received to schedule your evaluation.

Design –

  •  $50.00 Audition Fee (payable by cash)
  • Design Portfolio (Other visual documentation of candidate’s work in theatre or other fields (DVD or paper)
  • Other visual materials as applicable

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Note for International Applicants: There are currently no funded positions. Should you still wish to apply, you will be considered for a non-funded position during the duration of the program.

Learn More

The Graduate Program in Theatre at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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How to Apply