The Master of Arts in Theatre provides developing theatre scholars, high school teachers and community college teachers the opportunity to strengthen skills and knowledge of theatre beyond the undergraduate level.
MA students will graduate with a deeper knowledge of theatre theory, history and practice and be able to apply critical thinking through research and creative work. MA students will develop dramaturgical skills through their work on productions while also understanding how to apply theoretical frames to their own creative practice.
MA students typically pursue a variety of goals: increasing specific theatrical skills, extending theatre skills into new areas, preparing for entrance into doctoral Theatre programs, or in the case of educators, expanding their expertise and credentials. Students may be admitted on either a full-time or part-time basis.
The Master of Arts in Theatre program offers a rigorous course of study of 39 credit hours minimum, culminating in the writing of a scholarly thesis. Of the 39 credit hours required for the degree, 30 credit hours are required core courses with the other 9 credit hours chosen from a specified list of elective Theatre courses offered by the School.
Total Credit Hours Required: 39 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Program Prerequisites
Students applying for entrance into the MA program must have successfully completed the following undergraduate courses or their equivalent: Script Analysis or Play Analysis, Theatre History or Dramatic Literature, Directing I.
Degree Requirements
Core
6 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- THE5910 - Research Methods in Theatre (3)
- THE5945L - Theatre Practicum I (1)
- THE5946L - Theatre Practicum II (1)
- THE6947L - Theatre Practicum III (1)
Concentration
15 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Theatre Studies Concentration - 15 Credit Hours- Complete the following:
- THE6507 - Dramatic Theory and Criticism (3)
- THE5205 - American Theatre (3)
- TPA5405 - Theatre Management (3)
- THE6086C - Careers in Professional Theatre (3)
- THE5307 - Contemporary Theatre Practice (3)
Musical Theatre Concentration - 15 Credit Hours- Earn at least 15 credits from the following:
- THE6308 - Script and Score Analysis (3)
- TPP6344 - Musical Theatre Directing (3)
- TPP5754 - Musical Theatre Voice I (2)
- THE6756 - Methods of Teaching Drama (3)
- TPP5554C - Musical Theatre Dance I (2)
- THE6918 - Directed Research (1 - 99)
- TPP6933 - Acting Studio V (2)
- TPA6098 - Introduction to Theatrical Design and Production (2)
Elective Courses
9 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Theatre Studies Concentration - 9 Credit Hours- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
- TPA5345C - 2D Computer Assisted Design for Theatre (2)
- TPA5346C - 3D Modeling for Theatre (2)
- THE5288 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor I (3)
- THE5289 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor II (3)
- TPA5885C - Puppetry (2)
- TPP5248C - Storytelling as a Theatrical Art Form (2)
- THE6756 - Methods of Teaching Drama (3)
- THE5385 - Dramatic Literature for Children (3)
- TPA5085C - Design Seminar for Theatre (2)
- TPP6247 - Theatre for Social Change (3)
- Other graduate-level courses may be permitted with school approval.
Musical Theatre Concentration - 9 Credit Hours- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
- THE5237 - Cultural Diversity in Theatre (3)
- THE5425 - Women in Theatre (3)
- THE6908 - Independent Study (1 - 99)
- THE5205 - American Theatre (3)
- THE5288 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor I (3)
- THE5289 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor II (3)
- THE5307 - Contemporary Theatre Practice (3)
- THE5385 - Dramatic Literature for Children (3)
- THE6507 - Dramatic Theory and Criticism (3)
- TPA5085C - Design Seminar for Theatre (2)
- TPA5345C - 2D Computer Assisted Design for Theatre (2)
- TPA5346C - 3D Modeling for Theatre (2)
- TPA5405 - Theatre Management (3)
- TPA5885C - Puppetry (2)
- TPP5248C - Storytelling as a Theatrical Art Form (2)
- TPP6247 - Theatre for Social Change (3)
- THE6086C - Careers in Professional Theatre (3)
- THE5215 - Global Theatre (3)
- Other graduate-level courses may be permitted with school approval.
Thesis
9 Total Credits
- Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
- THE6971 - Thesis (1 - 99)
Examination
0 Total Credits
- A comprehensive Theatre exam is administered to MA majors at the end of their course work. The department allows two attempts at a comprehensive exam.
Independent Learning
0 Total Credits
Grand Total Credits: 39
Application Requirements
Application Deadlines
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to understand the conceptual basis of their art and to be able to articulate that understanding to others. In addition to their theoretical studies, MA students are also required to demonstrate proficiency in theatrical production. Students are expected to select either Theatre Studies or Musical Theatre as their concentration when applying for the program. Please note that the Theatre MA, Musical Theatre concentration may be completed fully online/remotely, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online.
Students must maintain a minimum "B" (3.00) overall Theatre GPA to continue in the major. Fifty percent of graduate course work must be at the 6000 level. Theatre courses with grades of less than "C" will not be counted toward degree requirements. Continuation in the MA program requires a positive annual evaluation. All graduate students must consult with an area adviser. All MA students must successfully complete a written thesis. The thesis proposal must be approved in advance.
Course Schedule—Theatre Studies Concentration
Year 1
Fall—10 Credit Hours
- THE 5910 - Research Methods in Theatre 3 Credit Hours
- TPA 5405 - Theatre Management 3 Credit Hours or elective
- 5000 level Theatre elective 3 Credit Hours
- THE 5945L - Theatre Practicum I 1 Credit Hours
Spring—10 Credit Hours
- 6000-level Theatre electives 3 Credit Hours
- THE 5205 - American Theatre 3 Credit Hours
- THE 5307 - Contemporary Theatre Practice 3 Credit Hours
- THE 5946L - Theatre Practicum II 1 Credit Hours
Year 2
Fall- 10 Credit Hours
- THE 6086C - Careers in Professional Theatre 3 Credit Hours
- THE 6507 - Dramatic Theory and Criticism 3 Credit Hours
- THE 6947L - Theatre Practicum III 1 Credit Hours
- THE 6971 - Thesis 3 Credit Hours
Spring—9 Credit Hours
- 6000-Level Theatre Elective 3 Credit Hours
- THE 6971 Thesis 6 Credit Hours
Course Schedule—Musical Theatre Concentration
Summer 1—10 Credit Hours
- TPP 5754 - Musical Theatre Voice I 2 Credit Hours
- TPP 6344 - Musical Theatre Directing 3 Credit Hours
- TPP 5554C - Musical Theatre Dance I 2 Credit Hours
- THE 5910 - Research Methods in Theatre 3 Credit Hours
Summer 2—7 Credit Hours
- TPP 6755 - Musical Theatre Voice II 2 Credit Hours
- TPP 6933 - Acting Studio V 2 Credit Hours
- THE 6756 - Methods of Teaching Drama 3 Credit Hours
Academic Year Courses—22 Credit Hours
- THE 5945L - Theatre Practicum I 1 Credit Hours
- THE 5946L - Theatre Practicum II 1 Credit Hours
- THE 6947L - Theatre Practicum III 1 Credit Hours
- THE 6918 Directed Research 1 Credit Hour
- THE 6971 Thesis 9 Credit Hours
- Electives 9 Credit Hours
Elective Courses—9 Credit Hours
- THE 5237 - Cultural Diversity in Theatre 3 Credit Hours
- THE 5425 - Women in Theatre 3 Credit Hours
- THE 5215 - Global Theatre 3 Credit Hours
- THE 6908 Independent Study 3-6 Credit Hours
- THE 5205 - American Theatre 3 Credit Hours
- THE 5288 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor I 3 Credit Hours
- THE 5289 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor II 3 Credit Hours
- THE 5307 - Contemporary Theatre Practice 3 Credit Hours
- THE 5385 - Dramatic Literature for Children 3 Credit Hours
- TPA 5085C - Design Seminar for Theatre 2 Credit Hours
- TPA 5345C - 2D Computer Assisted Design for Theatre 2 Credit Hours
- TPA 5346C - 3D Modeling for Theatre 2 Credit Hours
- TPA 5405 - Theatre Management 3 Credit Hours
- TPP 5248C - Storytelling as a Theatrical Art Form 2 Credit Hours
- TPP 6247 - Theatre for Social Change 3 Credit Hours
