3 Year Program
The MFA degrees require three years of full-time study. An evaluation will be made at the end of the first year of study to determine the remainder of the student’s curriculum, based on the faculty’s evaluation of the student’s work and the goals of the particular student. The graduate curriculum for each program is highly individualized, with the core requirements serving as a framework for further studies customized to meet each student’s goals and ambitions.
The School of Theater offers an M.F.A. in Theater with specializations in Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Design for Theater and Entertainment (Scenic Design, Costume Design and Lighting Design)
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT
The minimum admission requirement is a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater or a relevant Bachelor Degree from an accredited institution for which the candidate must have achieved an above average grade. In the case of foreign qualifications, the institution must be accredited by a recognised accrediting body or by the institution’s national government.
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN THEATER, ACTING
The Acting MFA is designed for advanced actors who are adventurous, imaginative and highly motivated. Training prepares students for the demands of a professional acting career across all media—from traditional to emerging. The curriculum focuses on all facets of the actor’s art and technique, striving to question commonly held assumptions about theater while exploring new possibilities.
The curriculum is structured progressively, beginning with particularly strong emphasis on movement and physical expression as a means to unlock the imagination. Practical production experience is an integral part of the training during the entire three years.
- THTM AT12Â Advanced Acting for Theater, Film and Television
- THTM AT13Â Advanced Voice and Speech I
- THTM AT14Â Advanced Voice and Speech II
- THTM AT15Â Advanced Movement I
- THTM AT16Â Advanced Movement II
- THTM AT17Â Advanced Acting I
- THTM AT18Â Advanced Acting II
- THTM AT19Â Alexander Technique
- THTM AT20Â Theatrical Stage Fighting
- THTM AT21Â The Performer and the Object
- THTM AT22Â Production Practice in Theater, Film, Video and Digital Media
- THTM FD07 Interpretive Strategies for Plays
- THT PS10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Stage Management & Production
- THT PR10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Performance
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN THEATER, LIGHTING DESIGN
MFA Lighting Design curriculum centers on developing critical and practical skills with coursework that includes lessons in immersive lighting design, AutoCAD, digital rendering and vector works, and strategies for live performance. Students are taught how to understand the physiological and psychological effects of light in addition to other scientific principles of phenomenology.
All coursework is designed to help each student help shape a distinct, original and personal voice and defining aesthetic, as evidenced in production work and professional-level Lighting Design portfolio.
- THTM DN06 Performance by Design
- THTM DN07 Digital Rendering
- THTM LD04Â Environmental Lighting
- THTM LD05Â Art and Architectural Lighting
- THTM LD06Â Master Electrician Techniques
- THTM LD07Â Moving Light Lab/Lighting for Music
- THTM LD08Â Light Lab: Theatrical Conventions
- THTM LD09 Immersive Lighting Design
- THTM LD10Â Theatrical Techniques
- THT PS10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Stage Management & Production
- THT PR10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Performance
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN THEATER, COSTUME DESIGN
The Costume Design MFA Program encourages students to break with traditional notions of costume design—and think instead in terms of garments that expand or otherwise reshape the physical space of performers.
In the Program, critical thinking is emphasized, as is the designer’s contribution to the collaborative process not just as a costume designer but as a critical aesthetic voice in the development on any given project. The curriculum is anchored around the application of contemporary arts philosophies to the medium of design and takes a global approach to exploring modes of dress and adornment, including the relationship between new media and the body from the perspective of art, architecture and science.
- THTM DN06 Performance by Design
- THTM DN07 Digital Rendering
- THTM CD03Â Advanced Costume Design II
- THTM CD04Â Historical Patterning
- THTM CD05Â Design Methodology
- THTM CD06Â Costume Techniques I
- THTM CD07Â Costume Design Methodology
- THTM CD08Â Conversations in Contemporary Theater
- THT PS10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Stage Management & Production
- THT PR10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Performance
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN THEATER, SCENIC DESIGN
Focusing on the development of the skills and knowledge needed for professional scene designers, the MFA Scene Design Program is based on the understanding that the designer’s multifaceted contribution to a production involves much more than providing a visual background.
The Scene Design MFA curriculum allows each student to find and shape a personal artistic vision: to explore the means of expression through historical and current theory with the expressed intention of discovering new forms, theory, and means of expression. In addition, scene designers develop aesthetic sophistication through studying theory across a range of disciplines (e.g. music composition, performance theory, directing and semiotics). Students are encouraged to explore varied practices and skillsets, including performance, model making, drafting, painting, drawing and new media.
- THTM DN06 Performance by Design
- THTM DN07 Digital Rendering
- THTM SN04 Advanced Scenic Design II
- THTM SN05Â Scenic Design for Theater
- THTM SN06Â Perspective Drawing
- THTM SN07Â Scenic Painting
- THTM SN08Â Hand Drafting for Theater Film and Television
- THTM SN09Â Digital Drawing
- THT PS10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Stage Management & Production
- THT PR10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Performance
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN THEATER, SOUND DESIGN
The Sound Design MFA Program is devoted to a rapidly evolving field that integrates aesthetic concerns with scientific disciplines and new technological tools.
The MFA Program can stretch as far as each student’s energy and imagination allows. The MFA Sound Design curriculum develop both theoretical and practical skills with coursework that includes lessons in creative listening, mixing and programming, music for themed entertainment and strategic approaches to sound environments. By the end of their studies, students will have a solid command of the sound design process, including developing a conceptual approach, creating the required drafting and paperwork and clearly mounting designs.
- THTM SD03Â Creative Listening
- THTM SD04Â Methodology of Sound Design
- THTM SD05Â Mixing for Theater
- THTM SD06Â Sound Design: Script Analysis
- THTM SD07Â Sound Design: Gear
- THTM SD08Â Sound Design: Themed Entertainment
- THTM SD09Â Professional Sound Environments
- THTM SD10Â Acoustic Environments for Performance
- THTM DN06 Performance by Design
- THT PS10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Stage Management & Production
- THT PR10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Performance
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN THEATER, DIRECTING
Dedicated to artistic experimentation and innovation, the selective, rigorous Directing MFA Program prepares already experienced directors to put forward a personal vision for the theater and redefine the boundaries of performance.
Studies in the Program, tailored to each student’s artistic interests, are first and foremost rooted in intensive practical experience. In addition to addressing the full spectrum of the dramatic canon, the Directing Program is unique in that it recognizes the growing importance of work generated by directors. It also pays significant attention to film aesthetics and practice, and their applications in emerging media.
With a clear and abiding emphasis on practical experience, students are directing as frequently as possible—in classes, studios, labs and productions
- THTM FD07Â Interpretive Strategies for Plays
- THTM DR09Â Advanced Directing I
- THTM DR10Â Transforming Text I
- THTM DR11Â Transforming Text II
- THTM DR12Â Directing Seminars
- THTM DR13Â Cinematic Elixirs
- THTM DR14Â Theatrical Conceptualization
- THTM DR15Â Modern Theories of Production
- THTM DR16Â Contemporary Issues in Direction
- THT PS10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Stage Management & Production
- THT PR10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Performance
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN THEATER, PLAYWRITING
The Playwriting specialization trains and nurtures dramatists whose purpose is to transform the way we see and understand the world. Playwriting faculty members include successful writers whose work has been professionally produced.
The program seeks to engage artists who possess singular voices and who can, with their command of language, set forth imaginative circumstances that entice audiences and challenge current forms.
- THTM PY07Â Writing for Performance
- THTM PY08Â Background of Theatrical Art
- THTM PY09Â Advanced Playwriting
- THTM PY10Â Advanced Studies in Playwriting II
- THTM PY11Â Special Topics in Playwriting
- THTM DR10Â Transforming Text I
- THTM DR11Â Transforming Text II
- THTM FD07Â Interpretive Strategies for Plays
- THTM DN06 Performance by Design
- THT PS10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Stage Management & Production
- THT PR10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Performance
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN THEATER, PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
The MFA Production Management specialization focuses on developing the skills necessary for managing people, resources and time in a variety of creative environments, where leadership and versatility must be combined with a broad knowledge of design and production issues.
The Program is designed around studies of management styles and structures, labor relations, and production processes in both live performance and film/video. It enables students to develop as artistic leaders and collaborative artists through project-based instruction in management, theatrical design, acting, directing, and stagecraft. Emphasis is placed on developing strong communication and critical thinking skills, broad knowledge of the professional arts environment, and proficiency in the practical skills necessary for success in a variety of professional environments.
- THTM SM05 The Beginning
- THTM SM06 The Philosophy of Process
- THTM SM07 The Creative Production Management
- THTM SM08 Leadership and Management
- THTM SM09 Fundamentals of Technical Direction
- THTM SM10 Contracts
- THTM SM11 Production Budgeting
- THTM SM12 Business of Theater
- THTM SM13 Is it Legal? Law for the Arts
- THTM SM14 Run Crew
- THT PS10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Stage Management & Production
- THT PR10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Performance
MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN THEATER, TECHNICAL DIRECTION
The MFA Technical Direction Program focuses on the group experience in collaborative design, fabrication and technical management.
By nature, a changing and evolving profession, the skills needed to be professionally proficient are unique in that they are a mix of traditional skills developed from the first stage productions combined with developing, and sometimes yet to be commercially available technologies. It is with these skills that the technical director, as the leader of a team of technical designers, technicians and craftspeople, is able to generate a tangible world from abstract ideas, drawings and conversations.
Graduates of the program are armed with the skills to be innovative forces in theater, as well as in themed environments, film, art, and many other avenues involving technical direction.
- THTM TT07Â Advanced Stagecraft
- THTM TT08Â Welding I
- THTM TT09Â Statistical Engineering
- THTM TT10Â Technical Design
- THTM TT11Â The Stagecraft of Illusion
- THTM TT12Â Fundamentals of Technical Direction
- THTM TT13Â AutoCAD
- THTM TT14Â Parametric Drafting
- THTM TT15Â Technical Management: Style and Technique
- THTM TT16Â Rigging
- THT PS10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Stage Management & Production
- THT PR10-29 Advanced Theatre Practicum VI – XV: Performance