Hollywood Reporter rankings published this month have the University of Missouri-Kansas City Theatre graduate program at No. 20 out of 25 for top dramatic and performing arts schools.
According to the Hollywood Reporter in June, the publication consulted with academics, influencers and alums to rank the top 25 Master of Fine Arts acting program. In the article, the Hollywood Reporter highlighted UMKC for connecting with The Acting Company in New York, which has hired MFA acting grads and partnered with the program.
“That’s a testament to the quality of the talent coming out of UMKC, which works closely with Kansas City Repertory Theatre,” wrote Seth Abramovitch, senior writer.
On July 1, UMKC Theatre will officially merge with the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance to become the UMKC Conservatory. The merger is a natural alignment: the two programs share a long history of collaboration, a physical space, a conservatory model of teaching, a professional-school focus, a strong national reputation, a spirit of civic engagement and a supportive philanthropic audience.
UMKC Theatre continues to make the entire city an artistic campus. In addition to its on-campus partnership with Kansas City Repertory Theatre, this year the program partnered with Unicorn Theatre, Coterie Theatre and Kansas City Actors Theatre, featuring MFA and Bachelor of Arts acting students in major professional roles.
“That’s a testament to the quality of the talent coming out of UMKC, which works closely with Kansas City Repertory Theatre,” wrote , senior writer.
Alumni include Nick Gehlfuss of “Chicago Med,” Patrick DuLaney of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway” and Toccara Cash of Broadway’s “The Play That Goes Wrong,” and “Half Me, Half You” at London’s West End.
The program will have a new department chair, Kenneth Martin, scenic designer and former chair of acclaimed Bachelor of Fine Arts theatre program at Coastal Carolina University.