MFA Students Joe Kemper, Erika Wilhite, and Samantha Stern in The Secret Garden

UCF MFA in Acting students spend the first two years of education receiving excellent training, performing in UCF Theatre Conservatory productions, taking classes and teaching on the UCF campus, located about 30 minutes away from Orlando Shakes.

In their third year, the Acting MFAs spend all their time in residency at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater in downtown Orlando. From August to the beginning of May, coinciding with our season, MFAs are immersed in the daily life of a professional theater.

During the student’s time at Orlando Shakes, duties include:

MFA Student Chantry Banks in The Comedy of Errors

Acting - MFA Actors are members of the acting company and audition for roles in the season. All MFA students are guaranteed a minimum of at least 2 roles in Orlando Shakespeare Theater productions and have performed as many as 5 mainstage roles in the season. MFA Actors also serve as understudies and gain AEA membership candidacy points during their two semesters at Orlando Shakes.

Administration Work – MFA Actors spend part of their time learning the administration of a professional theater, serving as assistants in departments such as Marketing, Development, Administration, Company Management, New Play Development Education/Teaching, Front of House and Box Office. During their residency MFA's will see all the facets it takes to run a professional theater.

Production -MFA Actors also spend time backstage participating in load-ins and strikes and working as run crew for one show.

UCF Classes – In addition to their work at the theater, MFA Actors take a 3-hour credit UCF class each semester they are in residence at Orlando Shakespeare Theater.

• The Fall semester "Theatre Careers" course concentrates on auditions, pictures, resumes, cover letters, business cards, using the internet, finding auditions, agents, casting directors and the "business" of theater.
• The Spring Semester concentrates on Shakespeare Scene study in preparation for the Spring Showcase.

MFA Student Erika Wilhite in As You Like It

Clockwise from top left: Joe Kemper, Sam Stern, Anne Hering (Director of Training), Bob Dolan (Director of Education), Chantry Banks, Jennie Sirianni (missing: Erika Wilhite)