Theatre

Admission

Candidates should apply to one of the ten graduate concentrations offered: Master of Fine Arts in Theatre with specialization in acting, costume design, costume technology, lighting design, scenic design, sound design, 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.ATheatre. acting program accepts applications only every three years; the next academic year in which applications will be accepted is 2005-2006 for Fall 2006 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.

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.

Master of Arts

A candidate for the master of arts degree must spend at least two semesters in residence; must complete at least 32 gh of coursework in theatre and related studies, including at least 20 gh in history and theory of theatre and 8 in applied theatre; and must pass a final comprehensive examination. 12 gh must be at the 500 level, and 8 of the 12 must be in theatre. A full-time student can complete this program in one academic year.

Master of Fine Arts

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, sound design, stage management, and scenic technology. The candidate for the degree must be in residence six semesters and complete 72 gh. In the design/technical and management programs, coursework must include at least 32 gh in colloquium or creative projects, 12 gh in theatre history, and 28 others in department-approved electives. In the acting program, coursework includes 48 gh in studio, 4 gh in theatre history, and 20 gh in department-approved electives. Only full-time students will be admitted to the program. With departmental and Graduate College approval, up to two semesters of residency and 32 gh of coursework may be waived on the basis of the student’s prior professional experience. Such cases are rare.

Doctor of Philosophy

Requirements for the degree are a minimum of 32 gh in courses in theatre and related studies beyond the master’s degree; a reading knowledge of one foreign language; a minimum of 32 gh of thesis research; 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. The program can be completed in two to three years beyond the master’s degree.