Master of Fine Arts - Theatre

Plan Description

The Master of Fine Arts is a three-year program offering advanced tracks in Design/Technology, Performance, and Stage Management. Actors, designers, stage managers, and technicians receive comprehensive and specialized training in preparation for careers in the professional theatre and the broader entertainment industry. While deeply committed to the individual theatre artist, the program fosters and encourages an integrated and collaborative approach to theatre.

Graduate students are provided opportunities through the department’s Nevada Conservatory Theatre to work alongside national and international theatre professionals in all disciplines. Courses in related areas of study such as entertainment engineering and design, dance, music, film and/or other disciplines approved by track advisors are encouraged for graduate students to meet the ever expanding expectations of the entertainment industry.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degrees Directory.

Learning outcomes for specific subplan tracks can be found below:

• Master of Fine Arts - Theatre; Design/Technology Track
• Master of Fine Arts - Theatre; Performance Track
• Master of Fine Arts - Theatre; Stage Management Track

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, students must submit a portfolio for consideration by the Design/Technology Faculty and Staff. It should outline their creative process as well as catalogue their creative ideas and experience. Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the campus for an onsite interview.

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 classical (pre-18th Century) and in verse. 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. If the audition is in person, the song should be performed a cappella as no accompaniment will be provided. Video submissions may include accompaniment.

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

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.

Plan Requirements

See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Design/Technology Track
Subplan 2: Performance Track
Subplan 3: Stage Management Track

Subplan 1 Requirements: Design/Technology Track

Total Credits Required: 60

Subplan 2 Requirements: Performance Track

Total Credits Required: 60

Subplan 3 Requirements: Stage Management Track

Total Credits Required: 60

Plan Degree Requirements

1. READING LIST A reading list will be given to each student upon acceptance to the program. This reading list will focus on studies in both general theatre and the student’s track or emphasis. The list may include works in: theatre history, performance theory, period design and production history, dramatic criticism and dramatic literature. It is expected that the student will read all materials on the list and be prepared to answer questions of comprehension as part of the final defense / examination.

2. PLACEMENT EVALUATION All incoming graduate students will complete a placement evaluation to determine individual skill level in theatre history, dramatic literature, theories of performance and/or production, and basic core comprehension for the track or emphasis. Students needing remedial intervention will be required to take courses that address academic readiness, skill acquisition, and learning progress.

3. RETENTION AND PROGRESSION The candidacy of all first-year M.F.A. students is provisional. At the end of the first semester in the program, every student will be reviewed by Faculty in the specific track. If a student’s performance is not satisfactory, the student will be given a formal warning of dismissal and placed on academic probation. The student will be presented with probationary conditions for advancement that must be met by the end of the second semester of residency. Upon completion of the first year of study, the student will be formally reviewed. If academic and artistic progress is deemed satisfactory, the student will advance. At this time, the candidate will form an Advisory Committee comprised of four graduate faculty, three selected from the Department of Theatre and one from another department who serves as the Graduate College representative.
If, at the second semester review, the Advisor, Faculty of the track, and the Graduate Coordinator determine that the student has not met the probationary conditions, there may be a recommendation for dismissal or separation from the program.

4. REGULAR ASSESSMENT Graduate students will be provided milestones to meet in each semester of study. Progress assessments of each M.F.A. candidate will be made by the Faculty of the track and shared with the student at the conclusion of each academic semester.

5. PRODUCTION REQUIREMENT Graduate students will participate in productions in all semesters as part of curricular requirements. Students are assigned roles in production by the Faculty with emphasis on advancing and challenging the skills of each candidate and developing their collaborative process.
Performance graduate students must audition for every show and participate in film production assignments as cast. Design/Technology and Stage Management students will complete design assignments, managerial positions or stewardships in a variety of venues, styles, and areas.
It is expected that students will accumulate a variety of diverse experiences in production / performance that add to and refine their resume and portfolio, preparing them for the rigors of professional theatre, film, and related fields. All designated assignments are considered extensions of studio and classroom learning progress and skill acquisition.

6. CAUSES for PROBATION In accordance with the Graduate School, the following are cause for probation and/or dismissal from the program:
• failure to earn a minimum degree GPA of 3.0;
• unsatisfactory grades (including more than two incompletes, grades C or less, or repeated withdrawals from courses required for the degree program);
• failure to complete six (6) graduate credits per rolling three semesters (including summer) toward their program in order to meet UNLV enrollment requirements;
• failure to consult with their Advisor when requested;
• failure to establish a graduate Advisory Committee when required;
• failure to consult with graduate Advisory Committee when requested;
• failure to develop and submit an official, approved degree program;
• failure to establish the groundwork for an acceptable thesis or dissertation, and successfully defend the prospectus;
• failure of required comprehensive and/or qualifying examinations;
• failure to meet a department milestone or to pass the culminating experience; and
• failure to successfully defend a thesis or dissertation.
If placed on probation, the student will be presented with probationary conditions and a timeline to accomplish requirements to avoid termination from the program.

7. TERMINATION OF CANDIDACY Not meeting probationary conditions will mean termination. Continuation in the M.F.A. program is determined by the Faculty Advisor, Faculty of the track, and the Graduate Coordinator.

Plan Graduation Requirements

1. CREDIT REQUIREMENTS Candidate must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00.

2. FINAL EXAMINATION All M.F.A. candidates will complete a final defense / examination reviewed by the student’s Advisory Committee.
A candidate who successfully completes a final defense/examination will submit all appropriate paperwork to the Graduate College for graduation.
A candidate who is unsuccessful in their final defense/examination will be presented conditions by the Advisory Committee to meet satisfactory expectations for completion of the defense process. If the candidate is unable to meet the conditions for completion, the student will be terminated from the program and will not proceed to graduation.

3. APPLY FOR GRADUATION The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing degree requirements.