Theatre MFA, Themed Experience

Track Description

The Master of Fine Arts in Theatre offers a Themed Experience Track designed to teach the unique creative skills, processes and concepts utilized to design and produce themed environments such as theme parks, zoos, aquariums, themed retail, dining, museums, virtual worlds and exhibitions. This program will build upon the strength and diversity of UCF’s Theatre, Art, Design and Hospitality programs as well as the ideal location in Orlando, the international hub of the themed entertainment industry.

Curriculum

The Master of Fine Arts in Themed Experience track program offers a rigorous course of study of 61 credit hours minimum, culminating in a collaborative creative project and thesis as well as an industry or academic internship. Of the 61 credit hours required for the degree, 44-47 credit hours are required and core courses of which up to 12-15 credit hours are electives. There is a 6 credit hour thesis project and 8-11 hours of industry internship credits.

Total Credit Hours Required: 61 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to understand the conceptual basis of the themed experience and to be able to articulate that understanding to others. Students are expected to select the Themed Experience track when applying for the program.

Students must maintain a minimum “B” (3.00) overall Theatre GPA to continue in the major. All graduate course work must be at the 5000 level or above. Theatre courses with grades of less than “C” will not be counted toward degree requirements. Continuation in the MFA program requires a positive annual evaluation. All graduate students must consult with an area adviser. All MFA students must successfully complete a creative thesis project. The thesis project must be approved in advance.

Required Courses: 44-47 Credit Hours

Core: 6 Credit Hours

• THE 5910 - Research Methods in Theatre 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6437 - Careers in Themed Experience 3 Credit Hours

Themed Experience Concentration: 26 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 5945L - Theatre Practicum I 1 Credit Hours
• TPA 6187 - Themed Experience Seminar 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 5085C - Design Seminar for Theatre 2 Credit Hours
• TPA 6158 - Small Project Studio 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6186 - Immersive Experience Studio 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6188 - Visualizing Themed Environments 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6921 - Collaborative Project Studio 3 Credit Hours
• TPP 5248C - Storytelling as a Theatrical Art Form 2 Credit Hours

Elective Courses: 12-15 Credit Hours

Choose 2 College of Arts and Humanities electives and 2 Rosen College of Hospitality electives

• HMG Themed Entertainment Graduate courses (6 credit hours total)
• CAH Graduate level courses (6 credit hours total)

Any other graduate-level courses may be permitted with school approval.

Internship: 8-11 Credit Hours

While the preference is a minimum of 11 credit hours, students may take as few as 8 credit hours of internship with permission of the program coordinator, the remaining credits required for the degree may be taken as additional CAH or HMG electives. For Themed Experience professional guidelines and forms click here.

Thesis: 6 Credit Hours

• THE 6971 - Thesis Credit Hours

Course Schedule

Year 1

Fall: 11 Credit Hours

• THE 5288 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor I 3 Credit Hours
• THE 5910 - Research Methods in Theatre 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 5085C - Design Seminar for Theatre 2 Credit Hours
• TPA 6187 - Themed Experience Seminar 3 Credit Hours

Spring: 9-10 Credit Hours

• THE 5945L Theatre Practicum I may be taken either Year 1 or 2 of the spring semester.

• THE 5289 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor II 3 Credit Hours
• THE 5945L - Theatre Practicum I 1 Credit Hours
• TPA 6158 - Small Project Studio 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6188 - Visualizing Themed Environments 3 Credit Hours

Year 2

Fall: 11 Credit Hours

• TPP 5248C - Storytelling as a Theatrical Art Form 2 Credit Hours
• TPA 6186 - Immersive Experience Studio 3 Credit Hours
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours

Spring: 9-10 Credit Hours

• THE 5945L Theatre Practicum I may be taken either Year 1 or 2 of the spring semester.

• THE 5945L - Theatre Practicum I 1 Credit Hours
• TPA 6437 - Careers in Themed Experience 3 Credit Hours
• TPA 6921 - Collaborative Project Studio 3 Credit Hours
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective 3 Credit Hours

Year 3

Fall: 9-13 Credit Hours

• THE 6971 - Thesis Credit Hours 3

Spring: 3-13 Credit Hours

• THE 6971 - Thesis Credit Hours 3

Critique and Evaluation

A final critique and evaluation of creative work is administered to all MFA majors at the end of their course work. The department allows two attempts at the final critique and evaluation.

Transfer and Residency

Students who do not hold a master’s degree can usually transfer up to nine semester hours into this program. Ordinarily, students holding completed MS or MA degrees will not be admitted into the MFA program. Each case will be evaluated on an individual basis. Final acceptance and number of credits to be transferred will be determined by a graduate faculty committee. A minimum of 51 credits must be taken at the University of Central Florida. A student without an earned master’s degree must complete a residency requirement of at least five semesters with at least four of them being full-time, consecutive semesters. Summer session may be counted toward the four consecutive semesters.

Independent Learning

The Independent Learning Requirement is met by successful completion of a master’s thesis.

Application Requirements

For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.

In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:

• One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
• A Bachelor’s degree (BFA, BA, BS).
• A 3.0 GPA.
• A 500-750 word statement of interest.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A creative portfolio is not required but encouraged. Work may be submitted in the video, digital images of artwork or writing samples. Consult the admissions committee if there are questions regarding format and appropriate submissions.
• Complete the general entrance prerequisites.
• Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.

For more details about these requirements, contact the Theatre Department at www.theatre.cah.ucf.edu.

General Entrance and Area Specific Prerequisites -Students applying for entrance into the MFA Programs must have successfully completed a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree program. Concentration or experience in the visual, written, or performing arts is preferred.

Meeting minimum UCF admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is based on evaluation of the applicant’s abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program and faculty expertise to the applicant’s career/academic goals, and the applicant’s potential for completing the degree.

Application Deadlines

Financials

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowships

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.