The acting element of the studio training sequence is divided into three-semester components, first emphasizing technique and then application. The first component, semesters one through three, is designed to take the actor from a solid grounding in action-based technique to a higher level of emotional presence, responsiveness, and freedom. The second component, semesters four through six, emphasizes scene study and application.

The movement training is divided into three parts. The first addresses habitual physical patterning and breath. The second increases the actor’s dynamic presence; explores time, space, movement in the natural world; and the state of play. The third section applies these techniques in mask and clown, broadening the student’s physical range. Students also have a semester of stage combat, as well as training in motion capture.

The voice training is based on the Linklater Methodology where the economical use of breath and body work together to free and strengthen the voice, increase breath capacity, expand resonance and range, and clarify articulation. Students will learn the full progression of exercises and supplemental work including sound and movement, River Stories, and approach to heightened texts. Speech work is based on the IPA and analyzing one’s own idiolect, as well as the acquisition of a range of accents and dialects.

Each year the department presents 20 to 25 productions, ranging from classic to contemporary, with many new works developed and presented by student playwrights, directors, or visiting artists. There are also more than 25 readings of new plays in the Iowa Playwrights Workshop. Every spring, the Iowa New Play Festival debuts four new plays–all featuring our actors.

To meet the demands of an acting career in the digital age, the MFA at Iowa offers numerous classes in digital media and camera, voiceover, motion capture, real time tracking, and workshops in media networking and online presence. We believe it is essential for actors to entrepreneurially embrace expanding technologies and the opportunities they provide.

In response to the overcrowded showcase season in New York, and the inability to host events due to the pandemic, our program chose to equip our students with the necessary tools to begin their professional career.

In the third year, students will create a professional reel with an outside production company (currently Cut & Dry Films) and a voiceover demo. These provide our students the ability to submit professional grade work to agents, casting directors, and managers in cities across the country prior to graduation, giving them the tools they need to launch their careers immediately upon graduation.

Evaluation of performance in productions is ongoing. You are required to speak personally with the faculty member you have been assigned to shortly after completion of the performance for feedback. You are also encouraged to speak to the other graduate acting faculty and as many other faculty members as possible about your work.

Additionally, you’re required to prepare two monologues and present them at every general departmental audition. Normally there are two general auditions each academic year. Monologues may not be repeated.

Following each audition, you are required to schedule individual meetings with the Head of Acting, and your movement and voice teachers for feedback.

Guest artists are brought in each year to lead workshops and discussions with the acting candidates.

The Iowa New Play Festival brings in nationally recognized artists who respond to the productions.

The Partnership in the Arts program consists of cutting-edge artists brought in to create/develop new work. Graduate actors have the opportunity to participate in that process.

Past artists

• Nambi E. Kelley
• Daniel Carlton
• Vanessa Stalling
• The Movement Company
• Martha Clark

The first year is a probationary period for all MFA acting students. At the end of the first year, the faculty evaluates each student’s work to determine his or her eligibility to continue in the program. This decision is based on demonstrated talent, potential, discipline, and satisfactory progress in academic and artistic learning situations.

Students who are accepted into the second year typically proceed to satisfactory completion of the degree. Nonetheless, evaluation is an ongoing process and students must continue to present work of distinction in their production assignments and maintain a grade-point average of 3.0 or better. If a student’s GPA falls below 3.0, it must be raised to that level by the end of the following semester. Failure to do so will be grounds for dismissal.