HOW TO APPLY – GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

Application Deadlines

Priority deadline for Fall semester admission: Dec. 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. Please email the Graduate Chair for Theatre (theagrad@hawaii.edu) or Graduate Chair for Dance (gradance@hawaii.edu) to inquire. For General Inquiries contact thdngrad@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

Spring 2025 applicants: Applicants for all graduate programs in Theatre and Dance should upload or request most Step 2 application materials via the Office of Graduate Education supplemental upload website.

You may also watch a video tutorial on how to use the upload website.

Fall 2025 or later 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. (Spring 2025: request from your recommenders via Supplemental Upload website; Fall 2025 or later: request via Graduate Division Application)
• Theatre and Dance Graduate Express Form (please fill out this Google Forms link).
• Statement of Objectives. (Spring 2025: Please upload to Graduate Division supplemental upload website, using UPLOAD Feature.  For Category, choose “Statement of Objective;” Fall 2025 or later: upload scans via Graduate Division Application). 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 (Spring 2025: Please upload to Graduate Division supplemental upload website, using UPLOAD Feature.  For Category, choose “Unofficial Transcripts.”  Fall 2025 or later: upload scans vis Graduate Division Application) as a single PDF.
• 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 (optional but strongly recommended for all applications) Please fill out the Graduate Achievement Scholarship Application via this Google Forms application link. Please fill out no later than Oct. 1 for Spring semester, and Feb. 1 for Fall semester; earlier applications are encouraged.
• Apply for Graduate Assistantships. Please 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 degree programs. 

Supplemental Materials Required

Most degrees have additional application requirements, listed below.

Spring 2025: Please upload requested materials to the Graduate Division Supplemental upload website, using UPLOAD Feature.

PDF files: For Category, choose “Other” and please type <Writing Sample> or <Dissertation Proposal> or other appropriate title into the description.

Video Files:  For Category, choose “Other” and please type <Video Audition> or <Video Portfolio> or other appropriate description into the description.  Note: 200MB maximum per file. Sending a link to the appropriate Graduate Chair, however, is preferred. For Theatre/Performance Studies (theagrad@hawaii.edu) or for Dance (gradance@hawaii.edu).

Fall 2025 or later: upload materials via Graduate Division application. Media files not accepted. Please upload a pdf with links to portfolios or performances.

Questions? For Theatre/Performance Studies (theagrad@hawaii.edu) or for Dance (gradance@hawaii.edu).

Supplemental Materials Required for Dance Concentration Admissions (MFA Dance Plan B, MA Dance Plan A and B):

• 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, typed (double-spaced), 15-20 pages (pdf).

Additional Specific Supplemental Requirement for the MA Dance Concentration Plan A or B: 

• A provisional dance and performance studies thesis or dance education project proposal of 1-2 pages, with a partial bibliography and a proposed title.
• Optional: If you wish to share video or portfolio links (for example, performance or teaching work), please create a pdf with the links.

Supplemental Materials Required for both MFA Theatre and Dance Concentrations (Dance, Theatre):

• 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).

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

Supplemental Materials Required for Selected Focus Areas in the MFA, Dance Concentration (note it is possible to apply to up to two focus areas in the MFA Dance Concentration):

• MFA Dance Concentration, Performance Focus Area:  
  • Digital links to a minimum of 3 video samples showing solo and group performance skills of you performing via a single pdf.
• MFA Dance Concentration, Choreography Focus Area:
  • Digital links to minimum of 3 video samples showing solo and group original choreography created and directed by you via a single pdf.
• MFA Dance Concentration, Screendance/New Media Installation
  • Digital links to a minimum of 3 video samples showing Screendances or Live Dance Performance/New Media  installation created by you. This may include your role as a choreographer, performer, camera, and/or director via a single pdf.
• MFA Dance Concentration, Hawai’i/Asia/Pacific Cultural Practices and Dance. 
  • Digital links to 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.  Please 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).  Please 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), please create a pdf with the links.