South Coast Repertory and the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UC Irvine have announced a new partnership called “The Next Stage,” aimed at providing real-world theatre experience for graduate drama students. The program, which launches in January 2026, will immerse Master of Fine Arts (MFA) students in South Coast Repertory’s (SCR) professional environment through mentorship, onstage experience, classroom instruction, and opportunities to attend performances.
“The Next Stage” is designed to give UC Irvine Department of Drama graduate students paid practical experience in acting, design, dramaturgy, and stage management. Participants will work alongside SCR artists and leaders to gain insight into the operations of a leading regional theatre.
David Ivers, Artistic Director at SCR, said: “Since 2019, it’s been one of my goals to formalize this vitally important and mutually beneficial relationship between UC Irvine and South Coast Repertory. The Next Stage program will offer both institutions a predictable and reliable partnership to advance learning in theatre. It’s also beautiful example of collaboration on the institutional level, as well as for individual artists – both students and professionals. Along my decades-long career path, I’ve had the great privilege of creating theatre with the stellar faculty, students and alumni of The Claire Trevor School of the Arts. I’ve been directed by Robert Cohen and Eli Simon, and I’ve worked extensively with Andrew Borba, Philip Thompson, Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz and many others. Together, we’ll make a great impact on tomorrow’s artists and artistic leaders. Go Anteaters!”
Tiffany López, Dean at Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UC Irvine added: “The Next Stage represents the very best of what we strive to do at UC Irvine Arts, creating professional pathways that connect our students to Orange County’s thriving creative economy. We are deeply committed to expanding access to hands-on experiences that prepare students for meaningful careers in the arts. This partnership with South Coast Repertory exemplifies how higher education and professional organizations can work together to cultivate the next generation of artists and leaders who will shape the future of live theatre and creative communities.”
The pilot program begins with a residency during SCR’s productions of Edward Albee’s *Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* (January 24-March 21) and Yasmina Reza’s *God of Carnage* (January 23-March 21), both part of SCR’s 2025/26 season centerpiece on Segerstrom Stage. Students from UCI—including MFA actors serving as understudies; MFA design or stage management candidates; PhD dramaturgy students; undergraduate actors earning course credit; plus hundreds more attending performances—will participate directly in these productions.
Suzanne Appel, Managing Director at SCR stated: “The Next Stage is a hope-and joy-filled step forward for the future of MFA education and the theatre field. Universities across the country are cutting back on professional training programs while theatres are searching for sustainable models. This pilot program addresses those challenges and brings productions of the classics and other great plays on a large scale to audiences. This will help us attract audiences, particularly young people. Expanding South Coast Repertory’s 50-plus year education mission to include professional training for MFA students from UC Irvine is the kind of investment that will provide generations of dividends, paid in spectacular live theatre experiences for our audiences.”
More than 500 UCI students are expected to engage with “The Next Stage.” In addition to their roles within productions or as audience members receiving instruction from directors Marco Barricelli (*God of Carnage*) or Lisa Rothe (*Who’s Afraid…*), they will benefit from coaching sessions led by David Ivers along with classes taught by SCR Theatre Conservatory teaching artists.
Daniel T. Stetson from The Nicholas Endowment commented: “We’re thrilled about the partnership between SCR and UCI, which opens up exceptional opportunities for students,” adding that participants would receive high-level training from respected professionals while developing their skills on stage.
“The Next Stage” has received $1.5 million in funding from various donors including The Nicholas Endowment; Apriem Advisors; Michael Ray; Richard & Lisa de Lorimier; Timothy & Jean Weiss; Elaine & Mike Gray; among others.
According to information provided by South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964 in Costa Mesa California under Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Suzanne Appel—it is recognized nationally as one leading regional theatres specializing not only in classic works but also new-play development through initiatives like The Lab@SCR.
Meanwhile Claire Trevor School is described as combining rigorous artistic training across four departments—art dance drama music—with liberal arts education while offering over two hundred public events annually.
UC Irvine itself was established in 1965 (UCI) now enrolling more than thirty-six thousand students across two hundred twenty-four degree programs under Chancellor Howard Gillman.
