In addition to meeting the requirements of the university, of the College of Arts and Letters, and of the Department of Theatre, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Admission
When applying for admission to the Master of Fine Arts degree program in theatre, applicants must select a concentration in either acting or design. The audition and interview procedures for each concentration are as follows:
- Acting: Students applying for admission to the Master of Fine Arts degree program with a concentration in acting must audition for selected faculty at nationally designated venues in Chicago or New York City or on the Michigan State University campus. Students should contact the Head of Acting to schedule an on-campus audition. The acting curriculum is sequential and admissions occur every three years.
- Design: Students applying for admission to the Master of Fine Arts degree program with a concentration in design must present their design portfolios for review and be interviewed by the design faculty. Students should contact the Head of Design for an appointment.
To be admitted to the Master of Fine Arts degree program in Theatre on regular status, an applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in theatre or the equivalent of 30 credits in theatre studies from a recognized educational institution.
Guidance Committee
The student's guidance committee should be constituted by the end of the student's second semester of enrollment in the program. The committee determines an appropriate program of study in consultation with the student.
For a student who elects the acting concentration, the committee must consist of two or more faculty members in the area of acting and one faculty member from outside the acting area.
For a student who selects the design concentration, the committee must consist of two faculty members in the area of design and one faculty member from outside the design area.
Requirements for the Master of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre
The program is available only under Plan B (without thesis). A total of 60 credits is required for the degree. The student's program of study must be approved by the student's guidance committee. Students must complete one of the following concentrations:
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| Acting (60 credits): |
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| (1) |
All of the following courses: |
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THR |
801 |
Practicum: Acting |
18 |
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THR |
804 |
Practicum: Voice |
6 |
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THR |
805 |
Practicum: Movement |
6 |
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THR |
830 |
Introduction to Graduate Studies |
3 |
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THR |
831 |
Studies in Theatre History |
3 |
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THR |
832 |
Comparative Drama and Criticism |
3 |
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THR |
834 |
Professional Aspects |
2 |
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THR |
841 |
Advanced Directing Practices |
3 |
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THR |
870 |
Collaborative Studio in Theatre |
3 |
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THR |
894 |
Special Projects in Theatre |
6 |
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Electives approved by the student’s guidance committee |
7 |
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Students must enroll in 1 credit increments for Theatre 894. Each credit is associated with one of six major performance projects. Students must participate in production activities during each semester of enrollment in the program. |
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| Design (60 credits): |
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| (1) |
All of the following courses (39 credits): |
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THR |
811 |
Practicum: Production Design and Technology |
9 |
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THR |
813 |
Period Resources and Research |
3 |
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THR |
818 |
Design Studio |
9 |
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THR |
830 |
Introduction to Graduate Studies |
3 |
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THR |
831 |
Studies in Theatre History |
3 |
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THR |
832 |
Comparative Drama and Criticism |
3 |
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THR |
834 |
Professional Aspects |
2 |
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THR |
870 |
Collaborative Studio in Theatre |
3 |
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THR |
894 |
Special Projects in Theatre |
4 |
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Students must enroll in 1 credit increments for Theatre 894. Each 1 credit is associated with one of four required design projects. Students must participate in production activities during each semester of enrollment in the program. |
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| (2) |
Three of the following courses (9 credits): |
3 |
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THR |
411 |
Stage Lighting Design |
3 |
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THR |
412 |
Stage Costume Design |
3 |
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THR |
414 |
Stage Scene Design |
3 |
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THR |
416 |
Audio and Visual Technology |
3 |
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THR |
419 |
Digital Design for Live Performance |
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| (3) |
One of the following courses (1 credit): |
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THR |
819 |
Applied Design Studio |
1 |
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THR |
819A |
Applied Design Studio: Scenery |
1 |
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THR |
819B |
Applied Design Studio: Costume |
1 |
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THR |
819C |
Applied Design Studio: Lighting |
1 |
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THR |
819D |
Applied Design Studio: Sound |
1 |
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THR |
819E |
Applied Design Studio: Media |
1 |
| (4) |
Electives approved by the student's guidance committee (11 credits) |
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Transfer Credits
Transfer credits must have been completed within the time limit for the degree.