Why Study at CalArts?

Emphasis on Independent Vision

The CalArts School of Theater supports and extends the work of emerging theater artists from multiple disciplines. The school cultivates independent artistic and intellectual vision, preparing artists to enter and transform a rapidly evolving field.

A Faculty of Accomplished Working Artists

The school’s faculty features leading professional theater artists in every area of practice. Each member of the faculty is committed to fostering the development of the next generation of theater artists.

Personal Attention

The school’s relatively small size allows for a low student-faculty ratio (8:1), small classes and one-on-one mentoring. Every student works closely with his or her mentor, a faculty member who serves as that student’s artistic advisor.

Production Experience

Production is at the heart of learning at CalArts. The school is a vibrant and prolific producing entity, presenting an extensive array of curricular projects, innovative collaborations with leadings artists and institutions, and student-organized productions—including the annual New Works Festival.

Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Projects

CalArts encourages cross-pollination in the arts. In addition to collaborations within the School of Theater, students may work with a wide spectrum of artists—writers, musicians, composers, choreographers, filmmakers, video artists, animators, graphic designers and painters—from other CalArts schools.

Professional Connections

As active professionals, the members of the faculty are in close contact with a diverse mix of noted practitioners at theater companies and stage, film and television productions—nationally and internationally. As a result, faculty members are in a unique position to connect students with observerships and internships to enhance their educational experience.

Center for New Performance (CNP)

The professional producing arm of CalArts provides a framework for the creation of adventurous new theater, music, dance and interdisciplinary works—projects that challenge and redefine the boundaries of contemporary performance. The CNP links CalArts with the broader professional community, and allows students to work collegially with leading artists from around the world. CNP productions are staged at REDCAT and other national and international venues.

Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT)

REDCAT is CalArts’ downtown Los Angeles center for the presentation of innovative performing, visual and media arts. REDCAT offers special opportunities for select School of Theater students, both as a performance venue for selected productions and as a forum for acquiring professional experience in design, production and management.

Besides theater productions, REDCAT’s eclectic programming allows all CalArts students to experience a wide range of experimental work by a mix of emerging artists and internationally renowned practitioners.

Cotsen Center for Puppetry and the Arts

Housed in the School of Theater, the Cotsen Center is an interdisciplinary laboratory for the study and exploration of puppets and performing objects in theater, film, dance and art. The center allows students to incorporate the use of performing objects into their theatrical vocabularies, or to concentrate on work centered on puppets and other performing objects.

Community Arts Partnership (CAP)

Many School of Theater students gain valuable teaching experience by leading CAP workshops and classes at community art centers and public schools throughout Los Angeles County.