HOW TO APPLY – GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

Application Deadlines

Priority deadline for Fall semester admission: December 15 of previous year
Priority deadline for Spring semester admission: August 15 of previous year
(same deadlines for international applicants)

*Applications can often be accepted beyond these deadlines if openings still exist. For more information, please email:

• Graduate Chair, Director of Graduate Studies: MFA/MA Dance Concentration, MA Performance Studies Concentration, PhD Theatre and Dance Concentrations, Dr. Kara Jhalak Miller (jhalak.miller@hawaii.edu)
• Graduate Chair, Director of Graduate Studies: MFA/MA Theatre Concentration, Mark Branner (branner@hawaii.edu )

Step 1: Application to UHM

1. Complete the online Graduate Admissions Application Form. See the Graduate Admissions page for information and the link to the application (“Submitting Your Application”).
2. Pay the application fee. Note that the Graduate Division does not grant waivers of this fee.
3. Request that official copies of all post-secondary transcripts be sent directly to Graduate Student Services. See the Graduate Admissions page for information and the link to the application (“Documentation Requirements”).

Please note that Theatre and Dance does not require a GRE score.

If you are an international applicant, please consult the International Students graduate website. You are also responsible for the following:

• Official language proficiency scores sent directly to Graduate Student Services (see address above).  See Proficiency information here.
• Financial Information Form.
• Additional admissions requirements.

The Graduate Division will notify applicants of the admission decision.

Step 2: Additional Departmental Requirements

Applicants: Required materials in Step 2 will be uploaded via the Graduate Division application, available here: Graduate Division Submitting Your Application.

Required:

• Three Letters of Recommendation.
• Dance and Theatre Graduate Express Form (please fill out this Google Forms link).
• Statement of Objectives. Include why you would choose to pursue a degree at UHM and in Hawai’i, and why you have chosen your specific focus to study.
• Transcripts. Unofficial scans of all post-secondary transcripts 
• Important: you must also send official copies directly to Graduate Student Services as noted above for your application to be complete.

Optional but highly recommended:

• Apply for Graduate Achievement Scholarships. Fill out the Graduate Achievement Scholarship Application via this Google Forms application link. Fill out no later than Oct. 1 for Spring semester, and Feb. 1 for Fall semester; earlier applications are encouraged.
• Apply for Graduate Assistantships. Fill out the Graduate Employment Application via this Google Forms application link. Priority deadlines: Oct. 1 for Spring semester openings, Feb. 1 for Fall semester openings. Earlier applications are encouraged; applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Applicants must be enrolled in or must also apply for entry to the University’s graduate Theatre and Dance degree programs. 

Supplemental Materials Required

Most degrees have additional application requirements, listed below.

Supplemental Materials Required for all MA and MFA Dance and Theatre Concentrations:

• Statement of Objectives. Include why you would choose to pursue a degree at UHM and in Hawai’i, and why you have chosen your specific concentration and focus area to study.
• CV/Resume (with link to personal website if applicable).

Please specify your focus area(s) for your MFA application in the Theatre and Dance Express Form

Additional Specific Supplemental Requirement for the MA Dance Concentration Plan A or B, and MA Performance Studies Concentration: 

• Project Proposal: A provisional dance studies or performance studies thesis or dance education project proposal of 1-2 pages, with a partial bibliography and a proposed title.
• Writing Sample. An example of written work, such as an academic paper, grant proposal example, creative writing essay, typed (double-spaced), 10 pages minimum (pdf).
• Optional: If you wish to share portfolio links (for example, performance or teaching videos), create a pdf with the links.

Supplemental Materials Required for Selected Focus Areas in the MFA, Dance Concentration (note it is only possible to apply to up to one focus area in the MFA Dance Concentration; double focus area requests will be considered upon admission):

• Choreography and Performance Focus Area: Include digital links via a single pdf with a minimum of 1 video sample showing solo and group performance skills of you performing (in your dances or other choreographer’s pieces), and, a minimum of 2 video samples demonstrating solo and group original choreography created and directed by you.
• Screendance/Live Dance Performance New Media Installation Focus Area: Provide a portfolio of your creative work. Include digital links via a single pdf with a minimum of 3 video samples showing Screendances or Live Dance Performance/New Media  installation choreographed, performed in, or directed and created by you. Identify your roles: choreographer, performer, camera, editor, and/or director.
• Hawai’i/Asia/Pacific Cultural Practices and Dance Focus Area: Include digital links via a single pdf with a minimum of 3 video samples showing solo and group performance via a single pdf. 

Supplemental Materials Required for Selected Focus Areas in the MFA, Theatre Concentration (note it is only possible to apply to up to one focus area in the MFA Theatre Concentration; double focus area requests will be considered upon admission):

• Acting focus area: Two 2-minute monologues, one comedic and one serious; one from classical material and one from a modern or contemporary play. Plays from which monologues are chosen should be from well-known and established playwrights. Upload a single pdf with links to any videos or other portfolio materials.
• Design focus area: Portfolio or appropriate supplementary materials (i.e., slides, photographs, videos).  Upload a single pdf with links to any videos or other portfolio materials.
• Directing focus area: Provide short video examples of your work if they are available. Please upload a single pdf with links to any videos or other portfolio materials. Please also upload a separate 1-2 page written commentary explaining the video examples, commenting on your artistic choices in directing, challenges faced, etc. (pdf). Please contact the Graduate Chair if you cannot provide video due to copyright restrictions or other reasons.
• Hawai’ian Theatre focus area: Provide short examples of your work.  Please upload a single pdf with links to any videos or other portfolio materials.
• Playwriting focus area: One-act play or other script (pdf). Choose “playscript” for document type.
• Theatre for Young Audiences focus area: Provide short examples of your curricular/directing/performance/puppetry work in pdf form.

If applying to emphasis on TYA Directing, please send short video examples of your directing work if they are available via a single pdf with links to any videos or other portfolio materials.

Please also upload a separate 1-2 page written commentary explaining the video examples, commenting on your artistic choices in directing, challenges faced, etc. (pdf). Please contact the Graduate Chair if you cannot provide video due to copyright restrictions or other reasons.

Supplemental Materials Required for all PhD Theatre and Dance Concentrations (Asian Performance, Hawai’ian and Indigenous Performance, Performance Studies):

• Statement of Objectives. Include why you would choose to pursue a degree at UHM and in Hawai’i, and why you have chosen your specific focus to study.
• CV/Resume. (with link to personal website if applicable)
• Writing Sample. An example of written work, such as a major paper or chapter from MA thesis, typed (double-spaced), 15-20 pages (pdf).
• Provisional dissertation proposal. 4-6 pages, with a partial bibliography and a proposed title (pdf).

Optional: If you wish to share video or portfolio links (for example, performance or teaching work), create a pdf with the links.