Theatre - MA

The MA program in theatre is designed to offer concentrated study in the areas of theatre history, theory, and criticism; dramaturgy; production and performance studies.The curriculum integrates theory with practice and accommodates the various backgrounds and career goals of theatre professionals, dramaturgs, and educators. Most students continue professional work or go on to PhD programs. In addition to the permanent faculty, well-known theatre artists, critics, and scholars teach on a part-time basis. Individual counseling is an integral part of the program. Through meetings with the graduate advisor, a program of study that meets each student’s needs is developed.

MA students may take MFA Playwriting classes with permission. A one-act play must be submitted for consideration.

Requirements for Admission

General admission requirements to the graduate program in the arts and sciences are observed. Applicants with a GPA of 3.4 or higher in theatre history, theory and literary criticism courses, or 6 credits of graduate work with a grade or grades of 3.0 or better need not submit scores on the Graduate Record Examination. An undergraduate theatre major is not needed for admission to the MA program in theatre. Students enter with a wide variety of academic backgrounds.

Requirements for the Degree

Courses

Each candidate must complete an approved program of study of at least 30 credits, including following. Courses other than those in the Department of Theatre may be applied toward the 30 credits with the approval of the graduate adviser, but may not exceed 9 credits. Not more than 9 credits may be transferred from nonmatriculated to matriculated status.

Examination

The student is required to pass a three-hour comprehensive examination covering general knowledge in theatre history, criticism, and production. The comprehensive exam may be repeated if failed, but may be taken no more than three times. The department no longer requires a proficiency examination in one foreign language.

MA with Honors

Master’s Essay: Upon completion of the comprehensive examination, the graduate committee will determine which students shall be invited to submit a proposal for a Master’s Essay. This decision will be based on academic performance: papers, class participation, and the quality of the comprehensive examination. Honors students must register for THC 79900 - Master’s Essay to complete the 30 required credits when the proposal is approved.

THC 79900 - Master’s Essay

Recent Electives

Our course offerings also include a continually changing roster of electives

Recent Electives:
Advanced Directing
Theatre and the Middle East
Law and American Drama
Intercultural Theatre
Greek Drama
History of Opera
Puppetry and Performing Objects On-stage
Performing Arts of Kerala, India
Goethe’s Faust: Text, Background, Tradition