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| 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. |
The Nevada Conservatory Theatre
The Nevada Conservatory Theatre engages national and international theatre professionals in all disciplines to work alongside the most advanced students from the UNLV Department of Theatre. It is a leading theatre in Las Vegas and southern Nevada. It enriches, strengthens, and challenges the cultural and artistic life of the city and strives to be the state’s premier theatre. It seeks the most advanced level of artistic achievement and to become a renowned regional theatre in America.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College, applicants must submit to the Department of Theatre:
- 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.
- A written statement (500 words or less) of the applicant’s purpose in pursuing graduate study.
- 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
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Box 455036
Las Vegas, NV 89154-5036
Required reading
A reading list will be given to each student upon entering the program. It contains major works in theatre history, performance theory, dramatic criticism and approximately one hundred play texts. It is expected that graduate students will read everything on the list and be prepared to answer questions of comprehension as part of their final examination.
Advancement to Candidacy
The candidacy of all first-year M.F.A. students is provisional. Upon completion of the first year of study, the faculty in each area formally review their students’ academic and artistic progress. If progress is deemed satisfactory, a student is advanced to M.F.A. candidacy. After advancement to candidacy, the student forms an examination committee comprised of four graduate faculty, three to be selected from the Department of Theatre and one representative from another department or college.
Termination of Candidacy
The faculty in each area of study periodically review the candidate’s progress. Termination of candidacy is determined by the faculty in consultation with the student’s advisor, the examination committee and the Graduate Coordinator.
Final Examination
All M.F.A. candidates will complete a two-hour oral examination at the end of their course of study. The first hour will focus on the student’s course of study and the intent, purpose, conceptualization and realization of the student’s creative project(s). The second hour will focus on the graduate reading list.