University of Montana Catalog 2023-2024

Theatre M.F.A

Master of Fine Arts - Theatre

Degree Specific Credits: 60-64

Required Cumulative GPA: 3.0

Notes

There are four areas of specialization for the M.F.A. in Theatre:

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Acting

  • 64 credits are required to graduate. Based on the student’s transcript and professional experience within the field, courses may be added, substituted, or waived with approval of the Performance & Practice Program Head and Director of the School of Theatre and Dance.

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Design & Technology

  • 60 credits are required to graduate. Based on the student’s transcript and professional experience within the field, courses may be added, substituted, or waived with approval of the Design & Technology Program Head and Director of the School of Theatre and Dance. All incoming graduate students will be evaluated through their portfolios and transcripts in order to identify deficiencies and may be required to take additional courses beyond the 60-credit curriculum.

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Directing

  • 64 credits are required to graduate. Based on the student’s transcript and professional experience within the field, courses may be added, substituted, or waived with approval of the Performance & Practice Program Head and Director of the School of Theatre and Dance.

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Music Directing

  • 64 credits are required to graduate. Based on the student’s transcript and professional experience within the field, courses may be added, substituted, or waived with approval of the Performance & Practice Program Head and Director of the School of Theatre and Dance.

Acting

Complete all of the following courses:
THTR 475Directing II3
THTR 476Directing III3
THTR 501Intro to Grad Studies1
THTR 520Graduate Acting I3
THTR 521Grad Acting II3
THTR 526Studio Training I3
THTR 527Studio Training II3
THTR 528Studio Training III3
THTR 539Graduate Methods Teaching Theatre3
THTR 591Special Topics (Professional Skills)1
THTR 595Practicum (Performance)4
THTR 695Grad Final Creative Project1-6
Complete three semesters of Voice and Speech:
THTR 513Graduate Voice & Speech I3
Complete three semesters of Movement:
THTR 515Graduate Physical Performance Skills3
Choose two additional electives
Complete three semesters of Theory and Practice:
THTR 535Performance Theory & Criticism3
Choose two additional electives. One course must be a 500-level course in the School of Theatre and Dance. A second must be an elective course denoted UG or G outside of the School in a discipline relevant to the Final Creative Project.
Approved Electives: Choose six credits of additional electives6
Total Hours46-51

Additional Requirements

  • Serve as teaching assistant for faculty instructor of at least one undergraduate performance course.
  • Complete a minimum of three major acting projects, with one being part of the Final Creative Project.

Design & Technology

Core Courses
THTR 501Intro to Grad Studies1
THTR 531Graduate Seminar in Theatre History3
THTR 556Graduate Rendering Techniques2
THTR 545Graduate Design Seminar: Collaboration2
THTR 546Graduate Design Seminar: Freelancing2
THTR 645Graduate Design Seminar: Teaching2
THTR 646Graduate Design Seminar: Outreach2
Complete four semesters in Primary Design Emphasis:
THTR 540/550/560/565Graduate Costume Design9
THTR 542/552/562/567Problems in Costume Design3
Complete two semesters in Secondary Design Emphasis:
THTR 540/550/560/565Graduate Costume Design3
THTR 542/552/562/567Problems in Costume Design3
Complete six semesters of Production Assignments:
THTR 507/508Technical Production Assignment9
THTR 609Grad Design Project4
Approved Electives: Choose 15 credits of additional electives15
Total Hours60

Directing

Core Courses
THTR 475Directing II3
THTR 476Directing III3
THTR 501Intro to Grad Studies1
THTR 520Graduate Acting I3
THTR 521Grad Acting II3
THTR 539Graduate Methods Teaching Theatre3
THTR 570Graduate Stage Management2
THTR 572Stage Management Practicum1-6
THTR 577Directing IV3
THTR 578Directing V3
THTR 591Special Topics (Professional Skills)1
THTR 595Practicum (Directing)4
THTR 675Directing VI3
THTR 677Problems in Directing1-3
THTR 695Grad Final Creative Project1-6
Complete three semesters of Design and Technology:
THTR 545Graduate Design Seminar: Collaboration2
Choose two additional electives.
Voice and Speech:
THTR 513Graduate Voice & Speech I3
Dance/Movement:
THTR 515Graduate Physical Performance Skills3
Complete three semesters of Theory and Practice:
THTR 532Graduate Seminar in Dramaturgy3
Choose two additional electives. One course must be a 500-level course in the School of Theatre and Dance. A second must be an elective course denoted UG or G outside of the School in a discipline relevant to the Final Creative Project.
Approved Electives: Choose six credits of additional electives6
Total Hours52-64
  • Serve as teaching assistant for THTR 375.
  • Serve as stage manager for faculty director.
  • Serve as assistant director to faculty director.
  • Complete three major directing projects, the last being part of the Final Creative Project.

Music Directing

Core THTR Courses
THTR 475Directing II3
THTR 476Directing III3
THTR 501Intro to Grad Studies1
THTR 520Graduate Acting I3
THTR 521Grad Acting II3
THTR 532Graduate Seminar in Dramaturgy3
THTR 695Grad Final Creative Project1-6
Core MUSI Courses
MUSI 416Topics in Music History (History of Musical Theatre)3
MUSI 442Vocal Studio Pedagogy and Lit2
MUSI 500Secondary Perform Area (Voice)2
MUSI 511Advanced Conducting2
MUSI 551Major Performance Area (Piano)4
MUSI 593Professional Projects (Music Direction)6
MUSI 595Special Topics (Musical Direction for Theatre)1
MUSI 595Special Topics (Graduate Jazz)1
MUSI 596Independent Study (UM Cabaret)1
Complete one semester of Sound Design/Technology: Choose an elective from MART MUSI, or THTR
Complete one semester of Advanced Performance: Choose an elective from DANC, MSUI, or THTR
Approved Electives: Choose nine credits of additional electives. One course must be a 500-level course in the School of Theatre and Dance. A second must be an elective course denoted UG or G outside of the School in a discipline relevant to the Final Creative Project.9
Total Hours48-53

Additional Requirements

  • Serve as teaching assistant in undergraduate musical-theatre curriculum.
  • Serve as assistant music director/rehearsal accompanist to faculty music director.
  • Complete three major music directing projects, the last being part of the Final Creative Project.