Master of Fine Arts - Theatre

Plan Description

The Master of Fine Arts is a three-year program offering advanced subplans in Costume, Lighting, Scenic, Technical Direction, 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 subplan 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 subplans can be found below:

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

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:

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.)

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.


Design and Technology subplan: Costume, Lighting, Scenic, and Technical Direction

In addition to general materials requested by the Department of Theatre, students must submit a portfolio for consideration by the respective 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 subplan:

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. The audition should contain the following:

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.

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 subplan admits a new class every three years.

Stage Management subplan:

In addition to general materials requested by the Department of Theatre (see above), submit electronically several pages from a sample prompt script and other paperwork generated as a stage manager. 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.

Upon acceptance, each M.F.A. candidate will be assessed to determine skill level and training in specific subplan competencies as well as theatre history, dramatic literature, and theories of performance and/or production. Candidates may be required to enroll in courses that remedy deficiencies, enhance academic readiness and augment skill acquisition. Students with deficiencies in theatre history will be required to take THTR 681 and THTR 682 (Theatre History I and II) in lieu of 6 elective credits.

Plan Requirements

See specific subplan requirements below:

Design and Technology subplans:

Subplan 1: Costume Design

Subplan 2: Lighting Design

Subplan 3: Scenic Design

Subplan 4: Technical Direction

Performance subplan:

Subplan 5: Performance

Stage Management subplan:

Subplan 6: Stage Management

Subplan 1 Requirements: Costume Design

Total Credits Required: 60

Subplan 2 Requirements: Lighting Design

Total Credits Required: 60

Subplan 3 Requirements: Scenic Design

Total Credits Required: 60

Subplan 4 Requirements: Technical Direction

Total Credits Required: 60

Subplan 5 Requirements: Performance

Total Credits Required: 60

Subplan 6 Requirements: Stage Management

Total Credits Required: 60

Plan Degree Requirements

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 subplan 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.

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 graduates must audition and accept casting in all Nevada Conservatory Theatre productions 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. 

REGULAR ASSESSMENT:

The candidacy of all M.F.A.’s in Theatre is provisional subject to regular assessment. Students will be provided milestones to meet in each semester of study. Progress assessments of each candidate will be made by the Faculty of the subplan and shared with the student at the conclusion of each academic semester.

RETENTION AND PROGRESSION:

If regular assessment determines that a student’s progress and 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 and a plan for improvement that must be accomplished by the end of the following semester. If, at the next semester review, the Advisor, Faculty of the subplan, 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.

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, dissertation or culminating experience, 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, dissertation or culminating experience.

In addition to the above, in the Department of Theatre professionalism is essential to all aspects of theatrical production. The following are cause for probation and /or dismissal from the program:

• unprofessional conduct in the execution of production assignments and/or graduate assistant assignments, exhibiting attitudes, values and/or behaviors that are inconsistent with the collaborative teamwork required in a producing theatre environment;
• disrespect or unacceptable behavior toward faculty, guest artists, staff and/or students that undermines the teaching and production processes;
• inability to adequately handle the demands of a creative environment where deadlines and results matter, including, but not limited to: consistently not meeting deadlines in academic, rehearsal, design or shop settings; consistently being unable to manage personal difficulties so as not to interfere with the ability to meet academic and production responsibilities;
• displaying an inability to engage in a professional mentoring relationship with undergraduates in rehearsal/lab/shop environments; an inability to appropriately respond to supervision; an inability to engage in self-observation and reflection; and an inability to accept constructive criticism;
• abuse of non-prescription or prescribed substances;
• engaging in criminal behavior that has or could result in a felony conviction; or
• violation of provisions of the University Student Code of Conduct.

TERMINATION OF CANDIDACY:

Not meeting probationary conditions will result in termination. Continuation in the M.F.A. program is determined by the Faculty Advisor, Faculty of the subplan, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Chair.

Plan Graduation Requirements

CREDIT REQUIREMENTS:

Candidate must complete a minimum of 60 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00.

FINAL DEFENSE / EXAMINATION:

All M.F.A. candidates will complete a final defense or examination reviewed by the student’s Advisor or Advisory Committee, as appropriate. 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 Advisor or Advisory Committee, as appropriate, 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.

APPLY FOR GRADUATION:

The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College as well as apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing degree requirements.