ATTENTION: We are admitting MFA Lighting Design for Autumn 2025 admittance. The priority deadline for applications will be March 15, 2025. After this date, applications for Lighting will be accepted on a rolling basis until all admissions slots are filled for Autumn 2025.
Our next admissions cycle for ALL disciplines (Scenic, Costume, Lighting) will be for Autumn 2026 admittance. Traditionally, this program accepts candidates every other year. This page will be updated in Autumn 2025 for the Autumn 2026 admissions cycle.
Questions? Please take a look around our website, then:
- For questions about the program, please contact the co-head of Design - Sara Walsh, swalsh1@uw.edu.
- If you have any questions about the application procedure, please contact the School of Drama's graduate program advisor at (206) 543-0714 or email uwdrama@uw.edu.
General application procedures
The priority deadline to submit the below application materials (for MFA Lighting Design ONLY) is March 15, 2025. After this date, applications for Lighting will be accepted on a rolling basis until all admissions slots are filled.
The deadline for all disciplines for Autumn 2026 admittance will be mid-January of that year.
Applicants to the Design program must submit a portfolio representative of their work, a personal artist statement, three recommendation letters, a set of unofficial transcripts, and the applicant must schedule an interview with the Design faculty. Portfolios may be submitted as a digital file or a link to a website. Interviews with the Design faculty may be via zoom, phone, or in person (preferred). If the applicant chooses to interview in Seattle, it is expected that applicant brings the portfolio with them to interview with the Design faculty and sits in on graduate design classes.
Applicants will submit an application to the Graduate School. An application fee of $90 is required. However, applicants may apply for a fee waiver through the Graduate school. PLEASE NOTE: International students (students on an F or J visa are ineligible for a fee waiver.
The GRE is not required for any applicant. International applicants must meet minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores and other Graduate School requirements .
The program generally accepts students in costume, lighting and scenic design every other year. It is extremely difficult to gain admission directly out of a BA/BFA program with no other credentials, though there is always room for the exceptional applicant.
Portfolios
The portfolio is an opportunity to show us who you are as an artist and a theater maker. The portfolio may include previous set, costume, and/or lighting designs. It may also incorporate other forms of storytelling such as installation design, performance, directing, or multimedia work.
In addition to finished work and past projects, the portfolio should have progress work such as sketches, models, storyboards, drafting, etc. It is particularly desirable to see examples of drawing, painting or lighting not intended as theatre design projects, but that relate to your aesthetic eye or interests: figure drawing, landscape or architectural sketching, sculpture, wearable art, lighting installations, photography etc.
Work should demonstrate strong graphic skills and the ability to engage with storytelling through design and performance.
Interviews
A personal interview is required after the applicant submits their materials. We highly recommend that you interview in Seattle, although zoom and phone interviews are also possible. For in-person interviews, applicants are invited to visit classes in the morning before the interview.
Application Materials and Process
Applicants will submit an application to the Graduate School. An application fee of $90 is required. However, applicants may apply for a fee waiver through the Graduate school.
PLEASE NOTE: International students (students on an F or J visa are ineligible for a fee waiver.
Submit the following via the Graduate School application (Link will be updated when the application is open for Autumn 25):
- Portfolio (digital file or website acceptable)
- A current résumé of training and experience in your field.
- A personal artist statement including educational and professional goals.
- Three letters of recommendation. Recommendations should come from individuals (for example, professors, mentors, directors, designers, and collaborators) familiar with the applicant’s creative and professional work.
- One set of unofficial transcripts.
- Application fee of $90. PLEASE NOTE: Applicants may apply for a fee waiver through the Graduate school. International students (students on an F or J visa are ineligible for a fee waiver.