Theatre
4-122 Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
500 South Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2371
theatre@illinois.edu
Major: Theatre
Degrees Offered: M.A., M.F.A., Ph.D.
Graduate Concentrations: Acting (M.F.A. only), Design and Technology (M.F.A. only)
Admission
Candidates should apply to one of the ten graduate areas offered: Master of Fine Arts in Theatre with specialization in acting, costume design, costume technology, lighting design, scenic design, sound design and technology, stage management, or scenic technology; the Master of Arts in Theatre with specialization in theatre history; or the Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre with specialization in theatre history. All applicants should present transcripts documenting undergraduate or graduate study of theatre practice, dramatic literature, and theatre history with a cumulative grade point average in these subjects of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0). Applicants whose first language is not English must submit recent Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores; the current minimum score for consideration is 550 on the paper-based test (213 on the computer-based version).
Candidates for the M.F.A. degree must demonstrate talent in theatrical performance or production by audition or by the presentation of a portfolio of their work to an admissions committee of the faculty, either on campus or at one of the regional University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA) audition sites. M.F.A. candidates are admitted in the fall term only. The M.F.A. acting program accepts applications only every three years; the next academic years in which applications will be accepted are 2011-2012 for Fall 2012 admission.
Master’s and doctoral candidates should present records of at least a 3.0 grade point average in all subjects studied at the undergraduate and graduate levels, supply samples of their scholarly writing, and submit recent Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. In addition to the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores required of all foreign students, master’s and doctoral candidates whose first language is not English are encouraged to submit scores of the Test of Written English (TWE). Ph.D. candidates should hold a master’s degree in theatre or in a related field. Master’s and doctoral candidates are normally admitted in the fall term.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Programs and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Arts
| Required Courses: | Thesis option - Required Hours | Non-thesis option - Required Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Theatre history, literature, and theory to be selected from departmental list | 20 | 20 |
| Applied theatre | 4 | 4 |
| Thesis Hours Required – THEA 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 0 min | |
| Total Hours | 32 | 32 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 | 12 |
| Other Requirements:* | thesis option must be approved | |
| At least two semesters in residence | ||
| Final comprehensive examination | ||
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | 3.0 |
A full-time student can complete this program in one academic year.
Master of Fine Arts, concentration in Acting
| Required Courses: | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Acting | 48 |
| Theater History | 4 |
| Departmental approved electives | 20 |
| Total Hours | 72 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| Other Requirements:*A concentration is not required. | |
| Must be in residence six semesters | |
| Students in the MFA Program participate continuously in the production program of the Department of Theatre, which presents six to eight productions annually at Krannert Center. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
Master of Fine Arts, concentration in Design and Technology
| Required Courses: | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Courses in a student's area of specialization | 32 |
| Theatre history and dramatic literature | 12 |
| Departmental approved electives | 28 |
| Total Hours | 72 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| Other Requirements:*A concentration is not required. | |
| Must be in residence six semesters | |
| Students in the MFA Program participate continuously in the production program of the Department of Theatre, which presents six to eight productions annually at Krannert Center. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
The M.F.A. is a terminal degree in theatre practice. Approved areas of specialization include acting, costume design, costume technology, lighting design, scenic design, scenic technology, sound design and technology, and stage management. Only full-time students will be admitted to the program. With departmental and Graduate College approval, up to two semesters of residency and 32 hours of coursework may be waived on the basis of the student's prior professional experience, although such cases are rare.
Doctor of Philosophy
| Required Courses: | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| 500-level theatre seminar | 16 |
| Language Requirement: a reading knowledge of one foreign language | |
| Elective hours | 32 |
| Thesis Hours Required – THEA 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 32 |
| Total Hours | 64 |
| Other Requirements:* | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
| Masters Degree Required for Admission to PhD? | Yes |
| Qualifying Exam Required | No |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
A comprehensive oral and written examination; an oral or written special-field examination; and defense of the dissertation before a committee of the graduate faculty is required. The program can be completed in two to three years beyond the master's degree.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program.