Theatre M.F.A
Master of Fine Arts - Theatre
College of Arts and Media
Catalog Year: 2022-23
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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| THTR 475 | Directing II | 3 |
| THTR 476 | Directing III | 3 |
| THTR 501 | Intro to Grad Studies | 1 |
| THTR 520 | Graduate Acting I | 3 |
| THTR 521 | Grad Acting II | 3 |
| THTR 526 | Studio Training I | 3 |
| THTR 527 | Studio Training II | 3 |
| THTR 528 | Studio Training III | 3 |
| THTR 539 | Graduate Methods Teaching Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 591 | Special Topics (Professional Skills) | 1 |
| THTR 595 | Practicum (Performance) | 4 |
| THTR 695 | Grad Final Creative Project | 1-6 |
| Complete three semesters of Voice and Speech: | ||
| THTR 513 | Graduate Voice & Speech I | 3 |
| Complete three semesters of Movement: | ||
| THTR 515 | Graduate Physical Performance Skills | 3 |
| Choose two additional electives | ||
| Complete three semesters of Theory and Practice: | ||
| THTR 535 | Performance Theory & Criticism | 3 |
| 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 electives | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 46-51 | |
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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| THTR 501 | Intro to Grad Studies | 1 |
| THTR 531 | Graduate Seminar in Theatre History | 3 |
| THTR 556 | Graduate Rendering Techniques | 2 |
| THTR 545 | Graduate Design Seminar: Collaboration | 2 |
| THTR 546 | Graduate Design Seminar: Freelancing | 2 |
| THTR 645 | Graduate Design Seminar: Teaching | 2 |
| THTR 646 | Graduate Design Seminar: Outreach | 2 |
| Complete four semesters in Primary Design Emphasis: | ||
| THTR 540/550/560/565 | Graduate Costume Design | 9 |
| THTR 542/552/562/567 | Problems in Costume Design | 3 |
| Complete two semesters in Secondary Design Emphasis: | ||
| THTR 540/550/560/565 | Graduate Costume Design | 3 |
| THTR 542/552/562/567 | Problems in Costume Design | 3 |
| Complete six semesters of Production Assignments: | ||
| THTR 507/508 | Technical Production Assignment | 9 |
| THTR 609 | Grad Design Project | 4 |
| Approved Electives: Choose 15 credits of additional electives | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Directing
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| THTR 475 | Directing II | 3 |
| THTR 476 | Directing III | 3 |
| THTR 501 | Intro to Grad Studies | 1 |
| THTR 520 | Graduate Acting I | 3 |
| THTR 521 | Grad Acting II | 3 |
| THTR 539 | Graduate Methods Teaching Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 570 | Graduate Stage Management | 2 |
| THTR 572 | Stage Management Practicum | 1-6 |
| THTR 577 | Directing IV | 3 |
| THTR 578 | Directing V | 3 |
| THTR 591 | Special Topics (Professional Skills) | 1 |
| THTR 595 | Practicum (Directing) | 4 |
| THTR 675 | Directing VI | 3 |
| THTR 677 | Problems in Directing | 1-3 |
| THTR 695 | Grad Final Creative Project | 1-6 |
| Complete three semesters of Design and Technology: | ||
| THTR 545 | Graduate Design Seminar: Collaboration | 2 |
| Choose two additional electives. | ||
| Voice and Speech: | ||
| THTR 513 | Graduate Voice & Speech I | 3 |
| Dance/Movement: | ||
| THTR 515 | Graduate Physical Performance Skills | 3 |
| Complete three semesters of Theory and Practice: | ||
| THTR 532 | Graduate Seminar in Dramaturgy | 3 |
| 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 electives | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 52-64 | |
- 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core THTR Courses | ||
| THTR 475 | Directing II | 3 |
| THTR 476 | Directing III | 3 |
| THTR 501 | Intro to Grad Studies | 1 |
| THTR 520 | Graduate Acting I | 3 |
| THTR 521 | Grad Acting II | 3 |
| THTR 532 | Graduate Seminar in Dramaturgy | 3 |
| THTR 695 | Grad Final Creative Project | 1-6 |
| Core MUSI Courses | ||
| MUSI 416 | Topics in Music History (History of Musical Theatre) | 3 |
| MUSI 442 | Vocal Studio Pedagogy and Lit | 2 |
| MUSI 500 | Secondary Perform Area (Voice) | 2 |
| MUSI 511 | Advanced Conducting | 2 |
| MUSI 551 | Major Performance Area (Piano) | 4 |
| MUSI 593 | Professional Projects (Music Direction) | 6 |
| MUSI 595 | Special Topics (Musical Direction for Theatre) | 1 |
| MUSI 595 | Special Topics (Graduate Jazz) | 1 |
| MUSI 596 | Independent 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 Hours | 48-53 | |
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.