CNP's co-production of 'Vineland Stelae,' a work by Sandeep Bhagwati at CalArts' REDCAT Theater
CNP's co-production of 'Vineland Stelae,' a work by Sandeep Bhagwati at REDCAT Theater

The Producing MFA trains creative producers with already highly developed aesthetics, who can recognize and champion original and significant work, and invent new ways to support such work.

The School of Theater’s commitment to exploration positions emerging producers to be self-reliant and ready to re-invent themselves and their tactics as new situations arise. In an ever-changing world, these skills are invaluable.

Placing as much emphasis on aesthetics and theory as on practical business applications and processes, the core curriculum features seminars in areas such as textual and performance analysis, intellectual property, cultural policy, audience engagement, marketing, public relations, budgeting, and fundraising. Student producers collaborate on projects and workshops presented by the School of Theater and the CalArts Center for New Performance (CNP), and are encouraged to seek collaborations with their peers throughout the Institute.

Program Faculty

Alumni Story

C.O. Thomas
C.O. Thomas Theater MFA 2008 Project Manager, Fox Filmed Entertainment

Suzan-Lori Parks introduced me to CalArts while I was working for The Public Theater in New York. I wanted the opportunity to expand my horizons because by the time I visited CalArts, I knew how to do small theater. Round three-fourth thrusts, proscenium arch—that’s how you present to mainstream audiences. I knew that art, but I didn’t know the avant-garde.

I’m currently a project manager overseeing every live project for 20th Century Fox. We have live international, touring theatrical shows; we have character meet-and-greet programs in mall shows; we have museums and exhibitions and 4-D projects around the world... I don’t have a 9-to-5 job. It’s non-stop. I have an office at Fox—there are two other CalArts alumni there—and I got the job through an alum that I went to school with. Our director of business development is also a CalArtian, and we’ve pulled in two interns from CalArts, which is great for us. They have the skills and class experience under their belts, and knowledge that we would have to teach most other people. There are only two schools in the country with classes in themed entertainment, and CalArts is one of them.

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