Master of Fine Arts
The theatre department's Master of Fine Arts programs emphasize craft, professionalism, and practical experience. Classes are small and there is a great deal of one-on-one mentorship. The department faculty has extensive professional experience and guest artists regularly work with students. Each discipline has a series of core classes and electives and all graduate students must attend a graduate seminar once a week. Each MFA program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours and takes three years to complete. The Master of Fine Arts is a three-year program offering advanced concentrations in Design/Technology, Directing, Performance, Playwriting, and Stage Management. Actors, directors, playwrights, designers, stage managers, and technicians receive comprehensive and specialized training in preparation for careers in the professional theatre. While deeply committed to the individual theatre artist, the program fosters and encourages an integrated and collaborative approach to theatre. In each semester of training, graduate students share a two-credit graduate seminar committed to progressive and practical exploration of the essential theatre.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College, applicants must submit to the Department of Theatre:
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An official transcript from all postsecondary institutions attended, showing an undergraduate degree in theatre and the date awarded. (An acceptable alternative undergraduate major coupled with satisfactory practical experience in theatre may be deemed equivalent to an undergraduate major in theatre.) M.F.A. candidates deemed to have deficiencies in their training may be required to take specific remedial course work. Students with deficiencies in theatre history will be required to take THTR 681 and THTR 682 (Theater History I and II). Remedial course work may not be counted toward the degree requirements.
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A written statement (500 words or less) of the applicant’s purpose in pursuing graduate study.
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Two letters of recommendation sent by former instructors, employers, or other professionals who can evaluate the applicant’s potential to complete graduate study. These materials, in addition to those required by the individual concentrations, may be sent to the following address:
Department of Theatre
Attn: Graduate Coordinator
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4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Box 455036
Las Vegas, NV 89154-5036
The following MFA degrees are offered by the theatre department:
MFA Design/Technology
Design/technology students are required to develop a broad and diverse portfolio while focusing on a selected area, including scenic design, lighting design, costume design, or technical direction.
Performance
Performance students gain a comprehensive and interdisciplinary acting education that prepares them for the challenges of contemporary, classical, new works, acting for the camera, and musical theater performance. The Performance program accepts a class every three years.
MFA Stage Management
Stage management students gain a broad base of knowledge in directing, technical direction, scenery, costumes, and/or lighting as well as production management, company management, and front-of-house administration.
Master of Arts
The theatre department’s Master of Arts program is designed to deepen the student’s knowledge and understanding of the theatre. Focus is on developing strong research skills culminating in completion of a thesis and reading list. No applications are being accepted at this time.
For more information regarding our graduate programs contact Norma Saldivar at norma.saldivar@unlv.edu.