Nov 24, 2024  
2014-2015 Graduate Catalog 
    
2014-2015 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Master of Fine Arts - Theatre


Plan Description


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 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.

Learning Outcomes: Design/Technology

www.unlv.edu/degree/mfa-theatre-design-technology

Learning Outcomes: Directing

www.unlv.edu/degree/mfa-theatre-directing

Learning Outcomes: Performance

www.unlv.edu/degree/mfa-theatre-performance

Learning Outcomes: Stage Management 

www.unlv.edu/degree/mfa-theatre-stage-management

Plan Admission Requirements


 

Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements. 

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College, the following department application materials must be uploaded into the online application:

  1. Transcripts 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.
  2. A written statement (500 words or less) of the applicant’s purpose in pursuing graduate study.
  3. Two letters of recommendation sent by former instructors, employers, or other professionals who can evaluate the applicant’s potential to complete graduate study.

Design/Technology Track
In addition to general materials requested by the Department of Theatre, please submit a portfolio of representative work.

Directing Track
In addition to general materials requested by the Department of Theatre (see above), please submit a directorial analysis of a play chosen from the following list:

Othello (Shakespeare)
Tartuffe (Moliere)
She Stoops to Conquer (Goldsmith)
A Doll’s House (Ibsen)
Long Day’s Journey Into Night (O’Neill)
A Streetcar Named Desire (Williams)
All My Sons (Miller)
Glengarry Glen Ross (Mamet)
Take Me Out (Greenberg)
The Heidi Chronicles (Wasserstein)
Fences (Wilson)
Lips Together Teeth Apart (McNally)
Wit (Edson)
The Goat (Albee)

The analysis should not exceed five double-spaced typewritten pages and should include:

  1. A brief statement of the director’s reason for selecting this play.
  2. A single sentence summary of the plot.
  3. A single sentence expressing the essence of the play in a metaphor.
  4. A simple description of the theatrical style the director is contemplating. (This may best be achieved by comparing the production to other well-known works.)
  5. A selected, annotated bibliography of historical, social, political or aesthetic research.
  6. A brief discussion of time and location of the action. If the director intends to reset the action to a locale or time not indicated in the script, there must be a clear description and justification of that choice.
  7. Three color copies of visual images you would submit to your designers as a point of departure for your collaboration.

All directing students are required to interview with members of the directing faculty. Interviews will be arranged after required materials have been received. The M.F.A. Directing Program has a three-year admission cycle.

Performance Track
In addition to general materials requested by the Department of Theatre (see above), students must audition either in person or through submission of a video (audition videos cannot be returned). The audition should contain the following:

  1. Two contrasting selections, one of which must be Shakespeare. The total audition should not exceed four minutes in length.
  2. A song selected from a Broadway musical not to exceed one minute in length. A CD or cassette recording of your accompaniment is recommended as accompaniment cannot be provided.

The M.F.A. in Performance Program admits a new class every three years.

Playwriting Track
In addition to general materials requested by the Department of Theatre (see above), submit two original plays, including at least one full-length play, and a one page statement of personal aesthetics. Materials cannot be returned.

Stage Management Track
In addition to general materials requested by the Department of Theatre (see above), submit several pages from a sample prompt script (cannot be returned). An interview with Stage Management faculty will be scheduled after application materials have been received.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Subplan 1 Requirements: Design/Technology Track


Total Credits Required: 72

Course Requirements 

Required Courses – Credits: 6

Complete the following courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 701 - Research in Theatre and Drama 

THTR 661 - Play Structure and Analysis 

Seminar Course – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 702 - Graduate Seminar 

Design/Technology Studio Courses – Credits: 27

Select an area of concentration and complete 27 credits from the associated list of courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

 

Scene Design:

THTR 727 - Scene Design Studio I 

THTR 728 - Scene Design Studio II 

THTR 729 - Scene Design Studio II 

 

Technical Design:

THTR 732 - Technical Direction Studio I 

THTR 733 - Technical Direction Studio II 

THTR 734 - Technical Direction Studio III 

 

Costume Design:

THTR 741 - Costume Design Studio I 

THTR 742 - Costume Design Studio II 

THTR 743 - Costume Design Studio III 

 

Lighting Design:

THTR 745 - Lighting Design Studio I 

THTR 746 - Lighting Design Studio II 

THTR 747 - Lighting Design Studio III 

 

Internship – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 796 - Internship 

Elective Courses – Credits: 15

Complete 15 credits of advisor-approved electives.

Creative Project – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 797 - Creative Project 

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Directing Track (On Hold)


Total Credits Required: 72

Course Requirements 

Required Courses – Credits: 15

Complete the following courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 707 - Form, Style and Structure 

THTR 719 - Dramaturgy 

THTR 727 - Scene Design Studio I 

THTR 741 - Costume Design Studio I 

THTR 745 - Lighting Design Studio I 

Seminar Course – Credits: 8

Complete 8 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 702 - Graduate Seminar 

Directing Course – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 725 - Directing Studio 

Stage Management Course – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits of the following course, or another advisor-approved course.

THTR 736 - Stage Management Studio I 

Acting Course – Credits: 8

Complete 8 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 771 - Acting Studio 

Scene Study Course – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 773 - Scene Study 

Elective Courses – Credits: 11

Complete 11 credits of advisor-approved electives.

Creative Project – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 797 - Creative Project 

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 3 Requirements: Performance Track


Total Credits Required: 72

Course Requirements 

Audition Course – Credits: 2

Complete the following course, or another advisor-approved course.

THTR 763 - Audition Technique 

Dialect Course –Credits: 1

Complete 1 credit of the following course, or another advisor-approved course.

THTR 764 - Dialects for the Stage 

Seminar Course – Credits: 10

Complete 10 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 702 - Graduate Seminar 

Acting Course – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 771 - Acting Studio 

Scene Course – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 773 - Scene Study 

Sound and Movement Course – Credits: 10

Complete 10 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 775 - Sound and Movement Studio 

Movement Course – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 777 - Movement for the Actor 

Speech Course – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 779 - Speech for the Actor 

Dance Course – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 781 - Dance for the Actor 

Elective Courses – Credits: 7

Complete 7 credits of advisor-approved electives.

 Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 4 Requirements: Playwriting Track (On Hold)


Total Credits Required: 72

Course Requirements 

Required Courses – Credits: 21

Complete the following courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 701 - Research in Theatre and Drama 

THTR 707 - Form, Style and Structure 

THTR 713 - Playwriting: 

THTR 714 - Playwriting: 

THTR 716 - Playwrights Laboratory 

THTR 719 - Dramaturgy 

THTR 726 - Problems in Direction 

Seminar Course – Credits: 10

Complete 10 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 702 - Graduate Seminar 

Playwrights Master Course – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 711 - Playwrights Master Class 

Tutorial Course – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 717 - Playwrights Tutorial 

Workshop Course –Credits: 5

Complete 5 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 720 - Playwrights Workshop 

Internship – Credits: 3

Complete 3 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 796 - Internship 

Elective Courses – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of advisor-approved electives.

Creative Project – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 797 - Creative Project 

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Subplan 5 Requirements: Stage Management Track


Total Credits Required: 72

Course Requirements 

Required Courses – Credits: 9

Complete the following courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 636 - Rehearsal Management 

THTR 637 - Theatre Management 

THTR 638 - Production Management 

Stage Management I Course – Credits: 8

Complete 8 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 736 - Stage Management Studio I 

Stage Management II Course – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 737 - Stage Management Studio II 

Internship – Credits: 12

Complete 12 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 796 - Internship 

Entertainment and Law Courses – Credits: 6

Complete the following courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 621A - Entertainment & Fine Art Law I 

THTR 621B - Entertainment & Fine Art Law II 

Seminar Course – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 702 - Graduate Seminar 

Additional Theatre Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits from the following list of courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 654 - Directing I 

THTR 701 - Research in Theatre and Drama 

THTR 727 - Scene Design Studio I 

THTR 732 - Technical Direction Studio I 

THTR 735 - Sound Design: Theory and Practice 

THTR 741 - Costume Design Studio I 

THTR 745 - Lighting Design Studio I 

THTR 748 - Seminar in Theatre Architecture and Apparatus 

THTR 749 - CAD for the Theatre 

Elective Courses – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits from the following list of courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

COM 603 - Public Communication 

COM 604 - Principles of Persuasion 

COM 634 - Conflict Management 

ACC 607 - Governmental and Not-for-Profit Accounting 

HOA 745 - Human Dynamics and Organizational Leadership 

FIS 721 - Collaboration and Preparation 

FIS 728 - Graduate Production 

ENG 609A - Visual Rhetoric 

ENG 634A - Shakespeare: Tragedies 

ENG 634B - Shakespeare: Comedies and Histories 

ENG 663A - Classical Drama in Translation 

ENG 664A - English Drama to 1642 

ENG 665B - Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Drama 

ENG 666A - Nineteenth-Century Drama 

ENG 667A - Modern British Drama 

ENG 667B - Modern American Drama 

Creative Project – Credits: 4

Complete 4 credits of the following course, or other advisor-approved courses.

THTR 797 - Creative Project 

Degree Requirements 

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Graduation Requirements 

See Plan Graduation Requirements below.

Plan Degree Requirements


  1. Completion of a minimum of 72 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. In addition to required course work, graduate students in the Performance Track must audition for all productions affiliated with the Nevada Conservatory Theatre and the University Theatre Season.

Plan Graduation Requirements


 The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.