UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television brings public-flagship economics to elite actor training: California residents paid roughly $16,430 in base university fees in the most recent published year, a fraction of private-conservatory cost, for a theater program whose community counts dozens of Oscar and Emmy holders among alumni and faculty associations.
The undergraduate path is a Theater BA with areas of interest; acting applicants supplement the UC application (open October 1 to November 30) with two 90-second monologue videos under strict formatting rules that disqualify violators, so read the instructions like a contract. MFAs cover acting, directing, playwriting, and design, though note carefully: the MFA Acting program was not accepting applications for the fall 2027 cycle at verification, a pause prospective graduate students must plan around. A PhD in theater and performance studies serves scholars.
For non-degree students, summer is the open door: theater institutes including a voice-over and camera-acting intensive for ages 16 and up, plus high school laboratory intensives in acting, camera work, and musical theatre. Westwood's campus and the annual industry showcase round out the pitch. Verify tuition each cycle; UC pricing moves with regents' votes.
Techniques taught
- Eclectic / multi-technique: Schools that draw on several lineages and fit the tools to the actor, not the reverse.
Class types
Enrollment and schedule
BA: UC application (Oct 1, Nov 30, 2026 for fall 2027) plus supplemental application; acting area requires two 90-second monologue videos with slates; audition office audition@tft.ucla.edu, (310) 206-4418. MFA Acting: closed, not accepting applications for fall 2027; other theater MFAs due December 1, 2026. Duration: BA four years; MFA programs multi-year (length not stated on pages reviewed).
Published pricing
| Program | Published price | Source, as of |
|---|---|---|
| undergraduate university fees 2025-26 (California resident) | $16,430 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
| nonresident supplemental tuition 2025-26 (added to base fees) | $39,270 | source 路 2026-07-16 |
Prices are the school's own published rates on the dates shown. We never estimate prices. Always confirm before enrolling.
Instructors
- Jennifer Chang, Associate Professor, Head of Graduate Acting. listed on MFA Acting program page
- J.Ed Araiza, Professor, Acting. listed on MFA Acting program page
- Judith Moreland, Professor, Acting. listed on MFA Acting program page
Location
Questions actors ask
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Does UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television teach children or teenagers?
Is admission to UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television by audition?
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When was this information last verified?
Sources and verification
- UCLA TFT, Theater, accessed 2026-07-16
- UCLA TFT Theater Admissions, accessed 2026-07-16
- Theater BA First-Year Admissions Instructions (rev. 08/2025), accessed 2026-07-16
- Acting (MFA), accessed 2026-07-16
- UCLA TFT Summer Programs, accessed 2026-07-16
- UCLA Tuition & Fees, accessed 2026-07-16
- UCLA WSCUC Accreditation, accessed 2026-07-16
Researched 2026-07-16, last verified 2026-07-16. Facts above come only from these sources. Anything we could not confirm is simply not shown. Report incorrect information or claim this listing if you represent the school.
Nearby schools
The Actors Circle
Culver City workshop founded 2003 by Marcie Smolin teaching film and TV craft with improv as half the curriculum, in a positive-feedback-only room serving ages 5 through adults at published per-class rates.
Downtown Culver CityThe Actors' Gang
Tim Robbins' ensemble theatre in Culver City, offering adult workshops in its Commedia-rooted house Style, kids' Saturday classes and teen camps at the Ivy Substation, and free after-school programs across LA County.
Downtown Santa MonicaBaron Brown Studio
Meisner technique studio in downtown Santa Monica, established 1975 by Joanne Baron, teaching a traditional two-year sequence plus intensives, on-camera audition work, and master classes.
Related by technique
La Crescenta-Montrose3-2-1- Acting Studios
On-camera school for ages 2 to adult in La Crescenta, founded 2007 by Mae Ross and now under new ownership, with tiered TV commercial and scene study classes, published package pricing, and a free trial class.
Sherman OaksThe Acting Center
Sherman Oaks school founded 2006 teaching its own proprietary technique in a strictly no-criticism classroom, with published 2026 session dates and pricing for scene study, intensives, and improv.