I. The Department of Theatre and Dance offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre. Within the MFA degree in Theatre, training is available in directing and in design and technical production. The University of Memphis is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

Program objectives are: (1) understanding of the theatre arts and crafts at a sufficient level to communicate with other artists in collaborative process and to make critical judgments; (2) knowledge of objectives and methods of play analysis, awareness of aesthetics, psychology, and socio-historical context, and ability to integrate advanced play analysis skills into the development of an artistic concept for a stage production; (3) comprehensive knowledge of body of plays in various periods of dramatic literature and specific scripts; (4) cultivation of interpersonal skills to communicate productively with artistic collaborators; (5) development of interpersonal skills to effectively handle budgets, contract negotiations, professional ethics, legal responsibilities, and public relations; and (6) awareness of standards and expectations of theatre practice according to professional models.

II. MFA Degree Program

A. Program Admission

Admission to the program is competitive and is not automatic upon meeting minimum admission requirements. Students are selected from the pool of qualified applicants; the number of students admitted yearly depends on the availability of program resources required to maintain a high level of student/faculty contact and professional training.

Procedures include:

1. Admission to the Graduate School. Note that the Department of Theatre and Dance requires a grade point average of at least 2.5 from an accredited undergraduate institution. As well, the department will require evidence of suitable academic preparation, typically demonstrated by performance in course work in the undergraduate major and/or a writing sample.
2. Submission of a separate departmental application identifying prior theatre education and experience and professional goals. Departmental applications are available from the Department of Theatre and Dance.
3. An interview with appropriate program faculty either at the university or at a regional or national conference.

1. Successful completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate credit approved by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee. A minimum of 70% (42 hours) of the total required hours must be 7000 level courses. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.
2. All students in the program must take the following core courses: THEA 7564, Studio in Theatrical Collaboration and Style; 7581, Seminar in Dramatic Theory and Criticism; and 7582, Analysis of Dramatic Literature.
3. Satisfactory completion of a committee-approved qualifying artistic project—the Qualifier Project.
4. Satisfactory completion of a committee-approved major artistic project—the Practicum Project.
5. Satisfactory completion of a committee-approved internship in a professional setting: THEA 7600.
6. Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination.

Each student will have a Graduate Advisory Committee. The functions of the committee shall be:

1. To approve the three-year Plan of Study (which may include remedial work).
2. T o monitor academic and artistic progress.
3. To monitor quality and quantity of participation in the theatre production program.
4. To approve and evaluate the Qualifier Project, the Production Practicum Project, the internship, and the comprehensive examination.

Progress in the MFA program involves more than the successful completion of academic course work. Artistic progress and engagement in the theatre production program of the department are also required.

1. MFA Portfolio Review: Each year all design students will meet with the design faculty and all directing students with the directing faculty for Portfolio Review. At that time, the student’s competencies, artistic progress, and professional presentational skills will be evaluated.
2. Annual Graduate Review: Following a Graduate Advisory Committee meeting with each student, the full faculty will meet to review the status and progress of each student. Possible outcomes of the evaluation process include:
   1. continuance in the program without condition;
   2. continuance in the program with conditions; or
   3. non-continuance in the program.
3. Note: A more detailed discussion of program requirements may be found in the Department of Theatre and Dance Graduate Policy Manual available from the department office.

6210-19. Special Topics in Theatre. (1-3). Topics are varied and announced in the online class listings. May be repeated for maximum of 9 hours when topic varies.

6220. Acting for the Musical Theatre. (3). An exploration of the techniques that allow the performer to fuse the art of acting and singing. PREREQUISITES: THEA 2532, MUAP 1100, MUAP 1610 or an equivalency exam/audition and permission of the instructor.

6221. Stage Dialects. (3). Transcription for International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Voice and dialect technique for conveying dramatic intention and character. PREREQUISITE: permission of the instructor.

6401. Children’s Literature in Performance. (3). Adaptation of children’s literature for performance in theatrical and educational settings; includes styles of literature, principles of performance, and production of material designed for young audiences. May be repeated for up to 6 hours credit with permission of instructor.

6457. Vocal Styles for Performance. (3). Exploration of language based characterization as it evolves from structure and style of text. PREREQUISITE: THEA 3213 or permission of the instructor.

6501. Advanced Movement Styles. (3). Advanced study in physical theatre styles. Varied semester topics may include: performance art, fighting styles for period weapons, and physical theatre techniques for theatre teachers, choreographers and directors. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 hours when content varies. PREREQUISITE: permission of instructor.

6503. Creative Dramatics. (3). Basic techniques and theories for the use of dramatization in elementary and secondary education; topics include socio-drama, dramatization of school subjects and daily concerns, and improvisation and creation of dramatic plays.

6514. Theatrical Rendering Techniques. (3). Materials and techniques for rendering theatrical space and scenic, costume, lighting, and properties design elements.

6515. Scene Painting. (3). Lecture laboratory course covering the techniques of painting scenery for the stage. Offered alternate years.

6516. Technical Direction. (3). Lecture/laboratory for theatre technicians to include production organization and safety, engineering, rigging, materials control, and supply ordering. Offered alternate years.

6531. Acting Styles. (3). Development of acting styles as influenced by environments of historical periods. May be repeated for maximum of 6 hours credit with change of course content. PREREQUISITE: THEA 3532 or permission of the instructor.

6532. Advanced Acting Styles. (3). A study of the creation and performance of the character mask emphasizing the development of a mast from construction to character realization. PREREQUISITE: Permission of the instructor.

6549. Theatre History (3). Shaping forces and theatrical forms from early civilization to the present time, with an emphasis on Western culture. Offered alternate years.

6551. Dramatic Literature I. (3) Comprehensive survey of dramatic literature from the Greeks to the 20th century, with particular emphasis on problems of production. Offered alternate years.

6552. Dramatic Literature II. (3). Comprehensive survey of dramatic literature from the 20th century to the present, with particular emphasis on problems of production. Offered alternate years.

6554. Visual History of Theatrical Design I. (3). Design aesthetics of selected historical periods from ancient times through the Victorian era as applied to theatrical design. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

6555. Scenic Technology. (3). Lecture/laboratory using traditional and contemporary materials and scenic technologies including rigging, metals and welding, wood working, and plastics. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

6556. Lighting Technology. (3). Technical principles that support areas of theatrical lighting design; includes instrumentation and equipment, electricity and electronics, control systems, operation and maintenance principles and procedures for stage electricians. Offered alternate years.

6557. Costume Technology. (3). Intermediate costume construction techniques employing both traditional and experimental methods for sewing; brings costume design from concept to reality. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

6558. Visual History of Theatrical Design II. (3). Design aesthetics of selected historical periods from the Victorian era through the twentieth century as applied to theatrical design. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

6559. Theatre of the African Diaspora. (3). Exploration of selected playwrights and theatre practitioners of West and South African, Caribbean, and African American descent. Includes performance projects. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours when content varies. PREREQUISITE: Permission of the instructor. Offered alternate years.

6571. Playwriting. (3). Theory and principles of writing plays for the stage; practice in writing either the short or long play. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 hours. Offered alternate years.

6592. Theatre Architecture and Facilities Planning. (3). Processes and techniques employed by theatre planners in design and construction/renovation of theatrical spaces and structures; includes survey of theatre forms, historical development of theatrical structures and spaces, programming methods and procedures, specification, renovation techniques, multi-use structure concepts, and consultation procedures and practices. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

6595. Sound Technology. (3). Technical principles that support areas of theatrical sound design; includes digital and analog equipment, audio signal theory and technologies, systems design, software, operational principles and procedures for theatrical sound engineers. Offered alternate years.

6631. Acting for Film and Television. (3). Educational experience for the actor in the media of film and television, concentrating on dramatic, commercial, and documentary areas. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

7210-19–8210-19. Special Topics in Theatre. (1-3). Topics are varied and announced in the online class listings. May be repeated for maximum of 9 hours when topic varies.

7431. Seminar in Directing Narrative Theatre. (3). Theory and technique for directing literary texts not originally written for the theatre; stage adaptations of short stories, novels, and compiled scripts; script preparation and directing projects required. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 hours. PREREQUISITE: THEA 7521 or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

7440. Seminar in Critical Studies. (3). Advanced studies in theatre criticism, dramatic literature, and theatre history; methods of scholarly research appropriate for the dramaturg and producing artist; semester topics alternate among studies of selected authors, periods, genres, and theatre movements. Repeatable for a maximum of 9 hours when topic varies. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

7521. Stage Direction. (3). Processes of stage direction from script interpretation to rehearsal and performance with emphasis on the collaborative interplay between stage director and designer; traditional and non-traditional theatrical modes; directing projects required.

7526. Directing Studio. (3). Seminar/practicum investigation of advanced techniques of the stage director; styles of production, creative interpretation of established dramatic literature and/or creation of original work for the stage. Directing project required. Repeatable for a maximum of 9 hours. PREREQUISITE: THEA 7521.

7553. Styles of Directing. (3). Production styles and methodologies evidenced in art of major modern directorial innovators. Directing projects required. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 hours with permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

7554. Seminar in Directing. (3). Conceptual and practical studies in stage direction with emphasis on the collaborative interplay between stage director and actor. Directing projects required. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 hours with permission of instructor. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

7560-8560. Directed Studies in Design and Technical Production. (3). Individually supervised design and technical production projects in areas of scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound. Repeatable for a maximum of 9 hours. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7561. Scenic Design Studio. (3). Studio explorations of creative design process and its relation to theatrical space and environment; emphasis on analysis, creative expression, and portfolio development involving two- and three-dimensional scenic design projects. Offered alternate years.

7562. Lighting Design Studio. (3). Aesthetic principles and practical methodologies for design of lighting: expression of style in various theatrical forms and modes of production; includes research, criticism, project work. PREREQUISITES: THEA 6556 or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

7563. Costume Design Studio. (3). Exploration and application of aesthetic principles of costume design; special consideration to interpretation of character and period through line, color, and fabric, employing variety of rendering processes in the studio environment. Offered alternate years.

7564-8564. Studio in Theatrical Collaboration and Style. (3). Exploration of elements of style as they pertain to concept development for theatrical production; engagement in dynamics of the collaborative process.

7566. Sound Design Studio. (3). Seminar and practicum in the style and process of theatrical sound design. PREREQUISITE: THEA 6595 or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

7568. Computer Applications for Theatre. (3). The computer and its role in theatrical production; families of software and their application to theatrical production activities; text, numeric, and data processing concepts and applications. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7571. Advanced Playwriting. (3). Continuation of theories and practice of playwriting with the object of achieving a finished script, ready for production. May be repeated for maximum of 9 hours. Offered alternate years. PREREQUISITE: THEA 6571.

7581. Seminar in Dramatic Theory and Criticism. (3). Major documents in dramatic theory and criticism from Aristotle to present. Offered alternate years.

7582. Analysis of Dramatic Literature. (3). The dramatic text as basis for unified and purposeful production concept; advanced techniques of director and scenographer used to solve artistic/practical problems of specific plays. Offered alternate years.

7592. Theatre Planning & Management. (3). Principles of theatre planning and management for educational and regional theatres. May be repeated for maximum of 9 hours. Offered alternate years.

†7600-8600. Internship. (1-3). Supervised work completed in a professional setting. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 hours. PREREQUISITE: Permission of the advisory committee.

†7800. Research in Theatrical Practice. (3). Research, practice, methodology, or pedagogy in theatre. Open only to graduate assistants. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 hours.

‡7993-8993. Special Problems. (1-3). Directed individual investigation of special research. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

‡7994-8994. Special Problems. (1-3). Directed individual investigation of special research. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

†7995-8995. Production Practicum. (3-6). Creative performance or production project suitable for public presentation and/or a practical application. Project to be determined in consultation with and directed by the student’s supervisory committee.

† Grades of S, U, or IP will be given.
‡ Grades of A-F, or IP will be given.

6000-6029. Special Topics in Dance. (1-3). Topics are varied and announced in the online class listings. May be repeated for maximum of 9 hours.

6101. Dance Repertory. (3). Exploration of stylistic, technical, and expressive elements in rehearsal and performance; may include notated works, faculty, and guest artist choreography. May be repeated for maximum of 9 hours. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

6201. Dance Composition. (3). Investigation of movement sources and development of elements of choreographic craft; emphasis on solo and duet work. May be repeated for maximum of 6 hours with permission of instructor. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

6202. Advanced Dance Composition. (3). Investigation of movement sources and choreographic craft for group forms from concept development through rehearsal and performance. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours. PREREQUISITE: DANC 6201 or permission of instructor.

6301. Directed Studies. (1-3). Individual study, research, or practicum. May be repeated for maximum of 12 hours. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

6402. Dance Education in Diverse Settings. (3). Theory, methods, and materials for teaching Modern and Creative Dance in schools, dance studios, arts programs, and community settings; includes current research in aesthetic education and curriculum development. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.