Academic Catalog

Theatre (M.F.A.)

The Master of Fine Arts in theatre is a three-year program of intensive professional training in the student’s area of specialization in acting, scenic design, costume design, lighting design, theatre management or stage management.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. Each area of specialization has specific requirements for application and admission, which are managed through the online application system and are also listed on the Department's website. Students must declare their area of specialization upon entry into the program. 

Program Requirements

The Master of Fine Arts with a Major in Theatre is offered only as a Plan C master’s program, requiring sixty credits in the area of specialization. All programs require a final project and a final oral examination relevant to the degree specialization. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the Graduate School and the College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts.

Concentrations

Acting

Sixty Credits

THR 5812Development of the Drama II: Nineteenth Century to Modern (Max. 3)3
THR 6211Acting Studio I: Fundamentals of the Stanislavski System2
THR 6215Acting Studio II: Introduction to the Michael Chekhov2
THR 7211Acting Studio III: Advanced Michael Chekhov Technique2
THR 7215Acting Studio IV: Advanced Study of Active Analysis and Physical Approach to Acting2
THR 8211Acting Studio V: Preparation for the Profession2
THR 8215Acting Studio VI: Audition and Composition2
THR 6221Theatrical Movement I - Introduction to Physical Awareness2
THR 6235Voice and Speech II: Speech Foundations2
THR 7231Voice and Speech III - Vocalizing Heightened Language and Shakespeare2
THR 7235Voice and Speech IV: Accents and Dialects for Stage and Media2
THR 8231Voice and Speech V: Accents & Dialects for Stage and Media1
THR 8235Voice and Speech VI - Media Techniques1
THR 6221Theatrical Movement I - Introduction to Physical Awareness2
THR 6225Theatrical Movement II - Introduction to Movement Analysis 2
THR 7221Theatrical Movement III: Dance Techniques2
THR 7225Theatrical Movement IV - Ensemble Physicality2
THR 8221Theatrical Movement V - Acrobatics1
THR 8225Theatrical Movement VI - Composition and Physical Devising1
THR 5721Playwriting3
THR 7271Acting for the Camera3
THR 7281Theatre Aesthetics3
THR 7581Repertory Theatre: Acting (Max. 18)1-4
THR 7741Dramaturgy3
THR 8995MFA Acting Exit Project3

Theatre Management

Sixty Credits

THR 6651Public Relations and the Arts3
THR 6661Marketing the Theatre3
THR 6675Board Governance in the Theatre2
THR 7584Graduate Practicum in Theatre Management (Max. 12)1-3
THR 7651Leadership in the Arts3
THR 7661Market Data and Decisions in the Arts2
THR 7671Development II: Advanced Topics3
THR 7665Development I: Principles of Fundraising for Not-for-Profit Arts Organizations2
THR 8991MFA Management Exit Project1-3
THR 5642Research Methods and Technology in the Theatre Management3
THR 7662Production Management for the Theatre2
THR 7675Producing for the Commercial Theatre3
THR 7652Arts Policy and Advocacy3
THR 5640Introduction to Accounting for Nonprofit Organizations2
THR 6662Audience Development and Community Engagement for the Arts2
THR 6672Legal and Ethical Issues in the Arts3
THR 6674Strategic Planning for Arts Organizations2
Electives
Complete electives, in consultation with advisor, sufficient to total 60 credit hours.
FPC 5025
Entrepreneurship in the Arts
THR 5811
Development of the Drama I: Greek to Eighteenth Century
THR 5812
Development of the Drama II: Nineteenth Century to Modern
THR 7741
Dramaturgy
THR 7281
Theatre Aesthetics

Stage Management

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
THR 6301 Foundations of Collaboration and Design 2
THR 5301 Design Skills - Drafting I 3
Theatre Elective 2
THR 6601 Stage Management Studio - Principles 2
THR 7583 Advanced Production Practice: Production 2
 Credits11
Winter Semester
THR 7321 Costume History I 2
THR 7342 Design Skills - Digital II 1
THR 6605 Stage Management - Health and Safety 2
Theatre Elective 3
THR 7583 Advanced Production Practice: Production 2
 Credits10
Second Year
Fall Semester
Theatre Management Elective 2
Academic Theatre Elective 3
THR 7601 Stage Management - Event Management 2
THR 7583 Advanced Production Practice: Production 2
 Credits9
Winter Semester
Theatre Management Elective 2
Academic Theatre Elective 3
THR 7605 Stage Management - Performance Management 2
THR 7583 Advanced Production Practice: Production 2
 Credits9
Third Year
Fall Semester
THR 8991 MFA Management Exit Project 1
Theatre Elective 3
Theatre Management Elective 2
THR 5601 Stage Management - AEA Contracts 2
THR 7583 Advanced Production Practice: Production 2
 Credits10
Winter Semester
Individual Study or Internship 3
Theatre Elective 3
THR 8605 Stage Management - Commerce of Theatre 2
THR 7583 Advanced Production Practice: Production 2
 Credits10
 Total Credits59

Theatre Stage Design

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
THR 6301 Foundations of Collaboration and Design 2
THR 5301 Design Skills - Drafting I 3
THR 7341 Design Skills - Digital I 2
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits10
Winter Semester
THR 5315 Entertainment Design - Scenery I 3
THR 7321 Costume History I 2
THR 6351 Visual Communication for Theatre and Dance 2
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits10
Second Year
Fall Semester
THR 7371 Entertainment Design - Projection 2
THR 7311 Entertainment Design - Scenery II 3
THR 5422 Introduction to Scene Painting 3
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits11
Winter Semester
THR 5331 Entertainment Design - Lighting I 3
THR 6303 Design Skills - Drafting II 3
THR 7381 Architecture and Decor 3
THR 5426 Advanced Scene Painting 3
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits15
Third Year
Fall Semester
THR 6381 Styles of Design 3
THR 7315 Entertainment Design - Scenery III 3
THR 8992 MFA Design Exit Project 2
Academic Theatre Elective 3
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits14
Winter Semester
THR 7342 Design Skills - Digital II 1
THR 5325 Entertainment Design - Costume I 3
Academic Theatre Elective 3
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits10
 Total Credits70

Stage Lighting Design

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
THR 6301 Foundations of Collaboration and Design 2
THR 5301 Design Skills - Drafting I 3
THR 7341 Design Skills - Digital I 2
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits10
Winter Semester
THR 5331 Entertainment Design - Lighting I 3
THR 7321 Costume History I 2
THR 7342 Design Skills - Digital II 1
THR 6351 Visual Communication for Theatre and Dance 2
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits11
Second Year
Fall Semester
THR 5335 Advanced Stage Lighting Design 3
THR 7371 Entertainment Design - Projection 2
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 5422 Introduction to Scene Painting 3
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits11
Winter Semester
THR 5315 Entertainment Design - Scenery I 3
THR 5325 Entertainment Design - Costume I 3
Academic Theatre Elective 3
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits12
Third Year
Fall Semester
THR 6331 Professional Lighting Design I 3
THR 6381 Styles of Design 3
THR 8992 MFA Design Exit Project 2
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits11
Winter Semester
THR 6303 Design Skills - Drafting II 3
THR 7381 Architecture and Decor 3
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
Theatre Elective 2
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits11
 Total Credits66

Stage Costume Design

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
THR 6301 Foundations of Collaboration and Design 2
THR 5301 Design Skills - Drafting I 3
THR 7341 Design Skills - Digital I 2
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits10
Winter Semester
THR 7321 Costume History I 2
THR 6352 Visual Communication Costumes 2
Academic Theatre Elective 3
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits10
Second Year
Fall Semester
THR 7325 Costume History II 2
AFA 5442 Fashion Design: Draping 3
AFA 5422 Fashion Design: Flat Pattern 3
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits11
Winter Semester
THR 5325 Entertainment Design - Costume I 3
THR 7381 Architecture and Decor 3
Theatre Elective 3
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits12
Third Year
Fall Semester
THR 6381
or THR 7371
 Styles of Design
or Entertainment Design - Projection
 2-3
THR 6321 Entertainment Design - Costume II 3
Academic Theatre Elective 3
THR 8991 MFA Management Exit Project 1
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits12-13
Winter Semester
THR 5315
or THR 5331
 Entertainment Design - Scenery I
or Entertainment Design - Lighting I
 3
THR 6351 Visual Communication for Theatre and Dance 2
Academic Theatre Elective 3
THR 6306 Design Skills - Drawing 1
THR 7582 Advanced Production Practice : Pre-Production 2
 Credits11
 Total Credits66-67
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