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Theatre



	Description

	Degrees Offered

	Admission

	Master of Arts in Theatre

	Master of Fine Arts in Theatre

		Acting Track

		Design Track

		Musical Theatre Track

		Youth Theatre Track

	Contact Info

Description

The University of Central Florida offers an MFA program in Theatre with tracks in Acting, Design, Musical Theatre, and Youth Theatre. The MFA is designed for students who demonstrate the artistic and intellectual capacity and evidence of professional promise to pursue careers in professional and academic theatre. The university also offers an MA program in Theatre that is intended to provide high school teachers, community college teachers, and developing theatre scholars with the opportunity to strengthen skills and knowledge beyond the undergraduate level.

Degrees Offered

Master of Arts in Theatre

Acting Track
Design Track
Musical Theatre Track
Youth Theatre Track

Admission

For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions and Registration section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. Please be sure to submit all requested material by the established deadline(s).

The Graduate Record Examination is required of all graduate students. Minimum requirements for admission are a BA or BFA degree in Theatre or equivalent with a 3.00 GPA in the last 60 semester credit hours earned toward the baccalaureate and a 3.0 Theatre grade point average (with at least a 2.50 overall) or a minimum GRE score of 1000. An audition/interview/portfolio review is also required. In addition, students must submit an essay stating their academic and professional goals, a transcript of previous academic work, a resume, an 8 X 10 headshot, and three letters of recommendation. Each student entering the program must be approved by the Graduate Committee of the Department of Theatre. No part-time students will be admitted into the MFA program.

Auditions—Acting majors must be interviewed and perform two contrasting monologues not to exceed three minutes. Musical Theatre majors must be interviewed and perform two contrasting songs, and one monologue. The total audition may not exceed three minutes. For more details about these requirements, contact the Department of Theatre.
Portfolio Reviews—Design majors must be interviewed and present a portfolio for review. The portfolio should contain samples of the student’s best work in scenic, costume, and lighting design. Three-dimensional pieces can be submitted in slide format. For more details about these requirements, contact the Department of Theatre.
General Entrance Prerequisites—Students applying for entrance into the MFA Program in Design and Acting must have successfully completed the following undergraduate courses or their equivalent: Script Analysis or Play Analysis, Theatre History I and II, Dramatic Literature I and II, and Directing I. Students applying for entrance into the MFA Program in Musical Theatre must have successfully completed the following undergraduate courses or their equivalent: Fundamentals of Music I and II and Musical Theatre History.
Area-Specific Prerequisites—In addition to the general entrance prerequisites for the MFA Program, each area of specialization requires area-specific entrance prerequisites. Students applying for entrance into the MFA must have successfully completed the following undergraduate courses or their equivalent:

Acting—Stage Voice I, Stage Voice II, Stage Movement I, Stage Movement II, Acting I, Acting II, Acting III.
Musical Theatre—Acting I, Acting II, Jazz I, Jazz II, Musical Theatre Voice I, Musical Theatre Voice II.
Design—Stagecraft I, Stagecraft II, Theatre Drafting, 2D CADD, Scene Design I, Lighting Design I, Costume Construction, Costume Design I.
Youth Theatre—Youth Theatre experience in some area

Application Due Dates

All students applying for fellowships must apply by the Fall Priority deadline date.

U.S. Applicants

PLEASE NOTE: Applications for Fall will be considered after the March 15th deadline on a space available basis.

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Master of Arts in Theatre Jan 15 Mar 15 Dec 1 Apr 15

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre

Acting Track Jan 15 Mar 15

Design Track Jan 15 Mar 15

Musical Theatre Track Jan 15 Mar 15

Youth Theatre Track Jan 15 Mar 15

International Applicants

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Master of Arts in Theatre Jan 15 Jan 15 Jul 1

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre

Acting Track Jan 15 Jan 15

Design Track Jan 15 Jan 15

Musical Theatre Track Jan 15 Jan 15

Youth Theatre Track Jan 15 Jan 15

International Transfer Applicants

Program(s) Fall Priority Fall Spring Summer

Master of Arts in Theatre Jan 15 Mar 1 Sep 1

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre

Acting Track Jan 15 Mar 1

Design Track Jan 15 Mar 1

Musical Theatre Track Jan 15 Mar 1

Youth Theatre Track Jan 15 Mar 1

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre

The MFA degree program in Theatre at UCF is a highly selective, rigorous, three-year professional training program emphasizing both theatre theory and practice. The MFA degree, like our BFA degree, is rooted in the belief that classroom study and practical experience in the theatre are of equal and complementary value. The production program, therefore, is integrated into the curriculum because it is the principal means available for the coordination of all the elements of dramatic art. We seek to pursue all possible ways to use the production program effectively for the purpose of teaching and training.

The MFA at UCF is designed for students who demonstrate the artistic and intellectual capacity and evidence of professional promise to pursue careers in professional and academic theatre. Candidates, in addition to becoming highly trained theatre practitioners, must also demonstrate the ability to understand the conceptual basis of their art and to be able to articulate that understanding to others. Toward this end, the department will recruit and develop graduate students who can serve, along with faculty and staff, as role models for undergraduate students whose BFA programs of study are integrally connected and dependent.

Degree Requirements

The MFA degree, which requires a minimum of seventy credits to complete, offers tracks in Acting, Design, Musical Theatre, and Youth Theatre. Candidates for the degree are expected to demonstrate proficiency in one of these areas.

Note: The electives can be chosen (with instructor approval) from existing courses in the MFA in Acting and Musical Theatre. Because allowed electives are both two and three credit hour courses, the course of study shows a sliding number of credits for electives. Consequently, although the seventy (70) credit hours are required, a student may graduate with as many as seventy-three (73) credit hours.

Of the seventy hours required for the Acting and Design tracks, thirty-three hours constitute the MFA Graduate Core Curriculum.

MFA Graduate Core Curriculum for Acting and Design—33 Credit Hours
Research Methods (3 credit hours)
Costume History I and II or history electives (6 credit hours)
Dramatic Theory and Criticism (3 credit hours)
Theatre Careers or elective (3 credit hours)
Thesis (6 credit hours)
Professional Internship (12 credit hours)

Of the seventy hours required for the Musical Theatre track, twenty-four hours will constitute the MFA Graduate Core Curriculum for Musical Theatre.

MFA Graduate Core Curriculum for Youth Theatre—24 Credit Hours
Research Methods (3 credit hours)
Theatre Careers or elective (3 credit hours)
Thesis (6 credit hours)
Professional Internship (12 credit hours)

Of the seventy hours required for the Youth Theatre track, twenty-four hours will constitute the MFA Graduate Core Curriculum for Youth Theatre.

MFA Graduate Core Curriculum for Youth Theatre—24 Credit Hours
Research Methods (3 credit hours)
Theatre Careers or elective (3 credit hours)
Thesis (6 credit hours)
Professional Internship (12 credit hours)

Additional Degree Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum “B” (3.00) overall Theatre grade point average to continue in the major.
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 a departmental adviser.
All MFA Acting and Musical Theatre majors are required to audition for all fall and spring productions and must accept the roles assigned.
All MFA students must successfully complete a professional internship and written journal documenting their experience.
All MFA students must successfully complete a thesis production project (thesis proposal must be approved in advance) and written thesis in support of that production project. The thesis is the culminating experience for the MFA Program.

MFA in Theatre—Acting

Requirements for MFA in Acting—70 Credit Hours Minimum

YEAR 1

Fall—13 Credit Hours

TPP 5156C Acting Studio I (3 credit hours)
TPP 5515 Movement Studio I (2 credit hours)
TPP 5715C Stage Voice I (2 credit hours)
THE 5376 Theatre/Drama of Williams, Miller, and Inge or Dramatic literature elective (3 credit hours)
THE 5910 Research Methods in Theatre (3 credit hours)

Spring—13 Credit Hours

TPP 5157C Acting Studio II (3 credit hours)
TPP 5516C Movement Studio II (2 credit hours)
TPP 5716C Stage Voice II (2 credit hours)
THE 5307 Contemporary Theatre Practice or Dramatic literature elective (3 credit hours)
THE 5246C Musical Theatre (3 credit hours)

YEAR 2

Fall—13 Credit Hours

TPP 6146 Acting Studio III (3 credit hours)
TPP 6517 Movement Studio III (2 credit hours)
TPP 6717 Stage Voice III (2 credit hours)
THE 6261C Costume History I or history elective (3 credit hours)
THE 6507 Dramatic Theory and Criticism (3 credit hours)

Spring—13 Credit Hours

TPP 6159C Acting Studio IV (3 credit hours)
TPP 6518C Movement Studio IV (2 credit hours)
TPP 6718C Stage Voice IV (2 credit hours)
THE 6265C Costume History II or history elective (3 credit hours)
THE 6086 Careers in Professional Theatre (3 credit hours)

YEAR 3

Fall—9 Credit Hours

THE 6948 Professional Internship (6 credit hours)
THE 6971 Thesis (3 credit hours)

Spring—9 Credit Hours

THE 6948 Professional Internship (6 credit hours)
THE 6971 Thesis (3 credit hours)

MFA in Theatre—Design

Requirements for MFA in Design—70 Credit Hours

YEAR 1

Fall—13 Credit Hours

THE 5910 Research Methods in Theatre (3 credit hours)
THE 6261C Costume History I or history elective (3 credit hours)
TPA 5062C Scene Design Studio (3 credit hours)
TPA 5258C Auto Cad-2D for Theatre (3 credit hours)
TPA 5946C Design Practicum I (1 credit hour)

Spring—13 Credit Hours

TPA 5042C Costume Design Studio (3 credit hours)
THE 5269 Period Props, Furniture, and Architecture (3 credit hours)
THE 6265C Costume History II or history elective (3 credit hours)
TPA 5299C Auto Cad-3D for Theatre (3 credit hours)
TPA 5949C Design Practicum II (1 credit hour)

YEAR 2

Fall—13 Credit Hours

TPA 6029 Lighting Design Studio (3 credit hours)
THE 6286 Scenography: History and Development (3 credit hours)
TPA 6087 Advanced Problems in Design (3 credit hours)
THE 6507 Dramatic Theory and Criticism (3 credit hours)
TPA 6947 Design Practicum III (1 credit hour)

Spring—13 Credit Hours

TPA 6209C Theatre Crafts (3 credit hours)
TPA 6106C Sound Design Studio (3 credit hours)
THE 6086 Careers in Professional Theatre (3 credit hours)
TPA 6087C Advanced Problems in Design II (3 credit hours)
TPA 6948L Design Practicum IV (1 credit hour)

YEAR 3

Fall—9 Credit Hours

THE 6948 Professional Internship (6 credit hours)
THE 6971 Thesis (3 credit hours)

Spring—9 Credit Hours

THE 6948 Professional Internship (6 credit hours)
THE 6971 Thesis (3 credit hours)

MFA in Theatre—Musical Theatre

Requirements for MFA in Musical Theatre—70 Credit Hours

YEAR 1

Fall—13 Credit Hours

TPP 5554 Musical Theatre Dance I (2 credit hours)
TPP 5754 Musical Theatre Voice I (2 credit hours)
TPP 5273 Musical Theatre Acting I (3 credit hours)
THE 5248 Musical Theatre in History (3 credit hours)
THE 5910 Research Methods in Theatre (3 credit hours)

Spring—13 Credit Hours

TPP 5555C Musical Theatre Dance II (2 credit hours)
TPP 6755 Musical Theatre Voice II (2 credit hours)
TPP 6274 Musical Theatre Acting II (3 credit hours)
THE 5275 Survey of Musical Theatre Dance (3 credit hours)
THE 6086 Careers in Professional Theatre (3 credit hours)

YEAR 2

Fall—13 Credit Hours

TPP 6556C Musical Theatre Dance III (2 credit hours)
TPP 6756 Musical Theatre Voice III (2 credit hours)
TPP 6275 Musical Theatre Acting III (3 credit hours)
THE 6308 Script and Score Analysis (3 credit hours)
TPP 6279 Musical Theatre Master Class (3 credit hours)

Spring—13 Credit Hours

TPP 6557C Musical Theatre Dance IV (2 credit hours)
TPP 6757 Musical Theatre Voice IV (2 credit hours)
TPP 6276 Musical Theatre Acting IV (3 credit hours)
THE 6XXX Musical Theatre Directing (3 credit hours)
TPP 6279 Musical Theatre Master Class (3 credit hours)

YEAR 3

Fall—9 Credit Hours

THE 6948 Professional Internship (6 credit hours)
THE 6971 Thesis (3 credit hours)

Spring—9 Credit Hours

THE 6948 Professional Internship (6 credit hours)
THE 6971 Thesis (3 credit hours)

MFA in Theatre—Youth Theatre

Requirements for MFA in Youth Theatre—70 Credit Hours

YEAR 1

Fall—13 or 14 Credit Hours

THE 5910 Research Methods in Theatre (3 credit hours)
THE 5385 Dramatic Literature for Children (3 credit hours)
TPA 5081 Design Concepts for Youth Theatre (3 credit hours)
TPP 5289C Acting for Young Audiences (2 credit hours)
Elective (2-3 credit hours)

Spring—13 or 14 Credit Hours

THE 5386 Oral Interpretation of Childrens Literature (3 credit hours)
TPP 5125C Improvisation Studio (2 credit hours)
TPP 5386 Directing for Young Audiences (3 credit hours)
TPP 6406C Theatre Management (3 credit hours)
Elective (2-3 credit hours)

YEAR 2

Fall—13 or 14 Credit Hours

TPP 6246C Circus Arts (2 credit hours)
TPP 6686 Playwriting for Young Audiences (3 credit hours)
THE 6756 Methods of Teaching Drama (3 credit hours)
TPP 6248 Storytelling for Young Audiences (3 credit hours)
Elective (2-3 credit hours)

Spring—13 Credit Hours

THE 6086 Careers in Professional Theatre (3 credit hours) or Elective (3 credit hours)
TPA 6288C Mask Making (3 credit hours)
TPP 6216C Theatre for Young Audiences Tour (4 credit hours)
TPP 6247 Theatre for Social Change (3 credit hours)

YEAR 3

Fall—9 Credit Hours

Internship (6 credit hours)
THE 6971 Thesis (3 credit hours)

Spring—9 Credit Hours

Internship (6 credit hours)
THE 6971 Thesis (3 credit hours)

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 sixty-one 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.

Master of Arts in Theatre

The Master of Arts degree program in Theatre at UCF is a general degree intended to provide high school teachers, community college teachers, and developing theatre scholars with the opportunity to strengthen skills and knowledge beyond the undergraduate level. Its purpose is not to train persons for professional careers in the arts and entertainment industry. As a result, the program of study is flexible and more theoretical. It provides less practical theatre training than the MFA degree. 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.

Admission Requirements

The Graduate Record Examination is required of all graduate students. Minimum requirements for admission are a BA or BFA degree in Theatre or equivalent with a 3.00 GPA in the last 60 semester credit hours earned toward the baccalaureate and a 3.0 Theatre GPA (with at least a 2.5 overall) or a minimum GRE score of 1000. An interview is also required. In addition, students must submit a 5-10 page academic paper, an essay stating their academic and professional goals, a transcript of previous academic work, a resume, an 8 X 10 headshot, and three letters of recommendation. Each student entering the program must be approved by the Graduate Committee of the Department of Theatre.

General Entrance Prerequisites—Students applying for entrance into the MA must have successfully completed the following undergraduate courses or their equivalent: Script Analysis or Play Analysis, Theatre History I and II, Dramatic Literature I and II, Directing I.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Theatre is a rigorous one and a half year course of study, culminating in the writing of a scholarly thesis. 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 will also be required to demonstrate proficiency in theatrical production. The MA in Theatre will require a minimum of thirty-nine credits in Theatre courses. Students must prove proficiency in a foreign language at the first-year level prior to completing the degree program. There will be no areas of specialization. Of the thirty-nine credits required for the degree, thirty will be required of all MA students with the other nine hours chosen from a specified list of elective Theatre courses offered by the Department. The following courses constitute the MA Graduate Core Curriculum.

MA Graduate Core Curriculum—30 Credit Hours

THE 5910 Research Methods in Theatre (3 credit hours)
THE 6507 Dramatic Theory and Criticism (3 credit hours)
THE 5376 Theatre/Drama of Williams/Miller/Inge or Dramatic Theatre elective (3 credit hours)
TPP 6406C Theatre Management or elective (3 credit hours)
THE 6086 Careers in Professional Theatre or elective (3 credit hours)
THE 5307 Contemporary Theatre Practice or Dramatic Literature elective (3 credit hours)
THE 5945L Theatre Practicum I (1 credit hour)
THE 5946L Theatre Practicum II (1 credit hour)
THE 6947L Theatre Practicum III (1 credit hour)
Thesis (9 credit hours)

Electives—9 Credit Hours

MA candidates should select 9 credit hours from the following list of courses. Other graduate-level courses may be permitted subject to departmental approval.

TPA 5258C 2D CADD for Theatre (3 credit hours)
TPA 5299C Autocad-3D for Theatre (3 credit hours)
THE 6261C Costume History I (3 credit hours)
THE 6265C Costume History II (3 credit hours)
THE 6286 Scenography: History and Development (3 credit hours)
THE 5629 Period Props and Furniture (3 credit hours)
THE 5910 Musical Theatre in History (3 credit hours)
THE 5275 Survey of Musical Theatre Dance (3 credit hours)
THE 5385 Dramatic Literature for Children (3 credit hours)
THE 6756 Methods of Teaching Drama (3 credit hours)
TPP 6247 Theatre for Social Change (3 credit hours)

Additional Degree Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum “B” (3.00) overall Theatre GPA to continue in the major.
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 a departmental adviser.
All MA majors must participate, in some capacity, on at least 2 productions during both the fall and spring semesters. Students failing to participate will be placed on probation for (1) semester.
All MA students must successfully complete a written thesis. Thesis proposal must be approved in advance.

Program of Study

Requirements for MA in Theatre—39 Credit Hours

YEAR 1

Fall—13 Credit Hours

THE 5910 Research Methods in Theatre (3 credit hours)
THE 5307 Contemporary Theatre Practice (3 credit hours)
TPA 5405 Theatre Management for Non-Majors or elective (3 credit hours)
THE 6507 Dramatic Theory and Criticism (3 credit hours)
THE 5945L Theatre Practicum I (1 credit hour)

Spring—13 Credit Hours

THE 6086 Careers in Professional Theatre (3 credit hours)
THE 5376 Theatre/Drama of Williams, Miller, and Inge (3 credit hours)
5000- level Theatre elective (3 credit hours)
THE 5946L Theatre Practicum II (1 credit hour)
THE 6971 Thesis (3 credit hours)

YEAR 2

Fall—13 Credit Hours

6000-level Theatre electives (6 credit hours)
THE 6947L Theatre Practicum III (1 credit hour)
THE 6971 Thesis (6 credit hours)

Examination

A comprehensive departmental theatre exam is administered to MA majors during their final semester of study.

Transfer and Residency

Students without an earned master’s degree can usually transfer up to nine semester hours of credit into this program. A minimum of thirty credits must be taken at the University of Central Florida. A student must complete a residency requirement of at least two full-time consecutive semesters. Summer session may be counted toward the two consecutive semester requirement.

Financial Support

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Financing Grad School, 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.

Key points about financial support:

If you’re interested in financial assistance, you’re strongly encouraged to apply for admission early. A complete application for admission, including all supporting documents, must be received by the priority date listed for your program under "Admissions."
You must be admitted to a graduate program before the university can consider awarding financial assistance to you.
If you want to be considered for loans and other need-based financial assistance, review the UCF Student Financial Assistance website at http://finaid.ucf.edu and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply early and allow up to six weeks for the FAFSA form to be processed.
UCF Graduate Studies awards university graduate fellowships, with most decisions based on nominations from the colleges and programs. All admitted graduate students are automatically considered in this nomination process. To be eligible for a fellowship, students must be accepted as a graduate student in a degree program and be enrolled full-time. University graduate fellowships are not affected by FAFSA determination of need.
Please note that select fellowships do require students to fill out a fellowship application (either a university fellowship application, an external fellowship application, or a college or school fellowship application). For university fellowship applications, see Financing Grad School.
For information on assistantships (including teaching, research, and general graduate assistantships) or tuition support, contact the graduate program director of your major.

Contact Info

Master of Arts in Theatre

Julia Listengarten, Ph.D. , Assistant Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-3858
jlisteng@mail.ucf.edu

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre

Julia Listengarten, Ph.D. , Assistant Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-3858
jlisteng@mail.ucf.edu

Acting Track

Kate Ingram, Assistant Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-4872
khingram@mail.ucf.edu

Design Track

Bert Scott, M.F.A., Assistant Professor
Phone Number: 407-823-3636
hscott@mail.ucf.edu

Musical Theatre Track

John Bell, M.F.A.
Phone Number: 407-823-3020
jcbell@mail.ucf.edu

Youth Theatre Track

Megan Alrutz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Phone Number: 407-896-7365 ext 235
malrutz@mail.ucf.edu