Graduate Studies Additional Information
- City & University Overview
- Graduate Admissions and Financial Assistance
- MA Directing
- MA Theatre History & Dramatic Criticism, Dramaturgy
- MA Playwriting
- Graduate Theatre Course Descriptions
- Theatre & Dance Faculty
- Basic List of Plays
- Graduate Contacts
- Graduation Procedures
Texas State Resources
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Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies in Theatre
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers a Master of Arts degree with emphases in directing, theatre history and dramatic criticism, dramaturgy, and playwriting. Students have the option of a research thesis or a final creative project, with a choice of fields in which to minor or take related courses.
The overall mission of the graduate program is to provide high quality experiences for students who intend to teach at the secondary or college level, to continue graduate education at the doctoral level, or to seek a career in community or professional theatre. In pursuit of that mission, the members of the Theatre faculty are dedicated to the following objectives:
· To provide a stimulating and creative environment in which students may deepen their aesthetic experience, and to provide studies in a broad range of theatre skills and principles.
· To preserve in living form the great heritage of dramatic literature, and to encourage experimentation in new forms and ideas of staging.
· To make a significant cultural impact on the campus and throughout the region served by the university.
Area of Emphasis: General Information
The Theatre Graduate Advisor coordinates the program and serves as the general advisor for all graduateTheatre students. Within each area of emphasis (directing, history-criticism, dramaturgy or playwriting), there will usually be another faculty member who will serve as the student’s advisor for that particular area. Students should consult regularly with both advisors in order to be sure that all requirements for the degree are being completed on schedule.
Directing
Students who emphasize in directing may complete a creative project if it can be worked into the season schedule. A creative project in directing normally involves the direction of a full-length production and the completion of a detailed analysis of the production’s preparation. For more information click here.
History and Criticism, Dramaturgy
The history-criticism emphasis is especially recommended for students who plan to go into a doctoral program after completing their master’s degree. A research thesis is part of the history-criticism degree plan. Some history-criticism students choose to specialize in production dramaturgy. Students who choose the dramaturgy specialization complete assignments as dramaturgs on Mainstage productions, and assemble a dramaturgical production book and production archive as part of their written thesis. For more information click here.
Playwriting
Entry into the playwriting program is dependent upon evidence of sufficient ability in this area. Prospective students are encouraged to submit samples of their writing at the time of application. These materials should be sent directly to the Graduate Advisor. Playwriting students write and keep a record of the production process of an original full-length play as part of their thesis. For more information click here.
Production Activity
There are ample opportunities for participation both onstage and backstage on all productions. Production activity outside of course requirements or creative projects is not required of graduate students, and it is recommended that students become familiar with the pace of graduate studies before taking on voluntary production commitments.
Minor or Cognate Hours
A minimum of six hours outside the Department of Theatre or in a different area of emphasis within the Department is required. Not all departments offer graduate program. If a student does not have sufficient undergraduate hours in a minor field, additional background hours may be required by the department offering that minor. Students may take hours in a cognate area (such as art, speech, or English literature) without the requirements of background hours. It is also possible to take cognate hours within the Department of Theatre in a different area of emphasis, subject to the approval of the graduate advisor. Possible cognate areas within the Department include dramaturgy, directing, playwriting, stage management, and Shakespeare studies (through the Texas at Stratford summer study abroad course).
Thesis
Students choosing the 30 hour theatre history and dramatic criticism specialization can decide to write a thesis. Students who expect to write a thesis should begin considering possible topics soon after their first semester of graduate work. The first step after meeting with the graduate advisor is to prepare a thesis proposal. The graduate advisor will then consult with the student regarding the thesis committee. The thesis will be directed by a faculty member whose specialization includes the area of the thesis topic. Another member of the Theatre faculty will serve as the second reader, and the third reader will come from the student’s minor or cognate field. The six hours of thesis credit are normally taken over two semesters.
Creative Project
Students whose emphasis is directing, playwriting, or dramaturgy will complete a creative project instead of a research thesis. Creative Projects involve directing a play, writing a play, or a major dramaturgical assignment. The first step is to consult with the advisor is one’s area of emphasis. If a project can be identified with the advisor, the student will prepare a written proposal that must be approved by a faculty committee. When the proposal meets with the committee’s approval, the student’s advisor presents the proposal to the theatre faculty. Directing proposals are usually submitted a year in advance of the production date. The faculty may approve or disapprove a proposal, or they may require revisions and re-submission. Creative projects in directing are usually produced during the regular academic year and not during the summers.
If the proposal is accepted by the faculty, the student’s advisor and committee will guide the student and evaluate the creative project upon its completion. Students will write a detailed report on the preparation and execution of the project. A copy of this report will be bound and filed with the Department.
Directing students take TH 5398 when they are directing an approved final project. Graduate productions are laboratory experiences. Although the public is normally invited to the performances, the productions are primarily intended as learning experiences in which expenses and publicity are definitely limited. Students who are responsible for staging productions must be certain that all arrangements for the productions are approved by the faculty supervisor.
Summer Program
Relatively few graduate theatre courses are offered during the two summer sessions. Normally Directing Styles (5366) and Directing Theatre Activities (5320) are offered during the first and second sessions. During some summers Scene Design (5357) and Playwriting (5354) may be offered. In addition, the Texas at Stratford study abroad course offers an opportunity to fulfill 6 hours of graduate credit through a Shakespeare intensive. Otherwise, the summer sessions provide an opportunity to take courses in one’s minor field; and for those students who are already in the program, the summers can be used effectively for research on a thesis or creative project. For more information, please see the Theatre Study Abroad Stratford Program.
After Graduation
Many of our graduate students have been accepted into highly competitive Ph. D. programs upon their graduation from Texas State.
Bowling Green State University - Season Ellison
Ohio State University - John Boyd
Texas Tech University - John Iverson, Mandi Tapia, Jeremy White
University of Maryland - Ashley Duncan, AnnMarie Saunders
York University - Richie Wilcox