Requirements
The MFA in Directing program is a terminal degree based on nine quarters of full-time study, with a minimum course of three classes each term. Students in the program are expected to complete the degree in three years.
Students take a series of courses that include Advanced Directing Seminar, Collaboration Techniques, Text Analysis, History of Directing, Seminal Productions, Storytelling, Master Classes in Directing and Alternative Performance as well as a comprehensive battery of theatre history courses. The course work gives focus to realism/naturalism, and verse and diverse contemporary works. Electives include courses in Performance Studies, Theatre History, Art History and Comparative Literature Studies; students have the ability to construct their later course work to support the completion of their thesis.
Thesis
Completion of the MFA includes a written thesis based on a three-part production calendar. Unlike most MFA programs, each of the three productions have equal weight in the thesis process. The first year production is a workshop production that takes place in a large classroom with very basic design and no shop support. This production focuses on the students' work with actors; their negotiation of spatial relationship; understanding of standard principles of design; and comprehension of text through storytelling. Throughout the year, students are required to keep a journal of the project, both pre- and post-production.
In the second year, students have a Studio production, performed in one of the black box theatres. This production is born out of their Collaboration: Contemporary Drama class, where they are teamed with a group of MFA designers and, with their professors, move through the entire pre-production process of a larger-scale performance. Again, students are required to keep written documentation of the process. If the student successfully completes all course and production assignments, the third year production is part of the main stage Theatre and Interpretation Center season and students fully participate in the experience of directing/programming for a major theatre.
In their third year, students meet weekly with their thesis advisor in preparation for presenting the written portion of their thesis, which includes a comprehensive overview of the documentation of the last three years.
Production
Each student is required to complete one production per year as described in the Thesis. There may be other production opportunities available within the School; the director of the program will determine assignments. The work is produced in the Theatre and Interpretation Center. The Center contains four performance spaces:
- The Ethel Barber Theater - 439 seat, thrust stage
- The Josephine Louis Theater - 369 seats, proscenium stage
- Two experimental lab theaters (black box) - 150 seats
