Reasons to Study in the Case Western Reserve University/
Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program:

• Our MFA program has been ranked as one of the best such acting programs in the world by The Hollywood Reporter.
  Once again in 2024, the program has been singled out.
• Our MFA theater program accepts eight out of about 1000 applicants every other year, awarding them a full three-year tuition waiver, a generous annual living stipend, healthcare and invaluable experience at Tony Award-Winning Cleveland Play House.
• Our three-year Master of Fine Arts program housed at Cleveland Play House (CPH) includes mainstage and understudy experience, and ensemble performances in the Helen Rosenfeld Lewis Bialosky Lab Theatre housed in PlayhouseSquare (The Helen).
• Two years of rigorous conservatory training including Acting, Voice, Speech, Movement, Period Styles, and Stage Combat taught by members of the CWRU theater faculty, resident artists of Cleveland Play House and exciting guest artists. Performance and understudy opportunities with CPH are also offered in the first two years of training.
• A third-year residency at CPH performing and understudying in the mainstage season. Classes continue in Acting for the Camera, Audition Technique, and Professional Development.
• A New York City Showcase before an Industry audience of agents , managers and casting directors.
• Membership in Actors’ Equity Association upon successful completion of the program.

AJ Ruiz and Dylan Ireland in THE TEMPEST 2023

The MFA Professional Actor Training Program is a collaboration  between Cleveland Play House and Case Western Reserve University.

Every two years, eight actors are chosen from the over one thousand applicants we see who audition nationwide and internationally to join this rigorous three-year conservatory program. The CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program admits a diverse group of committed young artists who possess a love of language, empathy for the human experience, a vivid imagination and the desire to develop the necessary physical and vocal skills for a successful and sustained career in the ever evolving performing arts scene. The intimate class size enables the program to tailor curriculum and performance experiences to suit the specific training needs of each class.

The faculty is comprised of artists who either direct, perform or coach in professional theatres, film, and TV, all while committed to the training goals of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program.

These training objectives are pursued in an environment that integrates the educational, artistic and professional resources of one of the oldest academic theatre programs in the United States (Case Western Reserve University) and the nation’s first regional theatre (Cleveland Play House).

Financial Aid

The Case Western Reserve-Cleveland Play House MFA in Acting Program provides each graduate student with complete financial support. The yearly financial package consists of a full tuition waiver, healthcare and a competitive stipend (spread over the 9 months of study) for 3 years.