Every year, several thousand actors are filling out their graduate school applications and writing “statements of purpose” that explain why they have chosen to be an actor and why they have chosen to apply to a particular program. I have worked in a variety of capacities ranging from guest lecturer to post-showcase adviser to the graduating class at virtually every top MFA program in the country. Below are several reasons why these students have sought to enter such programs.
1. To polish one’s craft. A major draw of top programs is their selectivity. Most actors are seeking further training along with other like-minded and, one hopes, equally talented actors. After auditioning as many as a thousand candidates, some programs select as few as seven or eight students each year. Others select closer to twenty.
2. To gain credibility. Just getting into a program can create a positive perception in the minds of industry folks such as producers, directors, writers, casting directors, agents, and managers. Not all schools are equally perceived, however.
3. To get representation. Most programs culminate in an industry showcase, often presented in both New York and Los Angeles. The combined attendance in these two
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