Admissions to the Theatre and Drama MFA have been suspended as of fall 2017. If you have any questions, please contact the department.
The department offers the MFA advanced degree. The master of fine arts degree in Theatre and Drama offers specializations in Acting, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scene design, and Theatre Technology. Currently the MFA program admission is on hiatus but we will be accepting applications for the fall 2021 semester.
The faculty in Theatre and Drama are leaders in their field. Together, they have many credits in all facets of the profession, working within their field of theatre research and practice both nationally and abroad. They are recognized for their critically acclaimed publications and production work and have won major awards and fellowships for scholarship, creative work, and teaching.
Graduate students at UW–Madison come from around the country and the world. Many have been working theatre professionals returning for advanced degrees. Some graduates go on to teach in the academy; others work in the profession as actors, directors, designers, and technologists.
Coursework and specializations are organized around two areas: acting and design and technology. Students in all specializations are encouraged to complement their major area of study by taking courses from other areas in the department.
University Theatre, the producing arm of the Department of Theatre and Drama, provides students with opportunities to complement work begun in the studios and classrooms. At UW–Madison, the stage is our laboratory. Coursework and discussions regularly connect theatre practice and study with larger issues of cultural and intercultural representation.
The MFA offers specialized preparation for careers in professional theatre.
The MFA specialization in scene design, costume design, lighting design, or theatre technology strives for a balance of professional training and the practical application of skills through numerous collaborative experiences, both onstage and in the classroom. Students in all four disciplines are encouraged to be creative problem solvers through both an appreciation of the history of their craft and a curiosity about the contemporary world of theatre, design and the application of new technologies. Numerous opportunities for realized work, studio collaborations and individualized mentoring affords the MFA student the opportunity to grow and develop as an articulate and collaborative theatre artist.
Admissions to the Theatre and Drama MFA have been suspended as of fall 2017. If you have any questions, please contact the department.
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and processes related to funding.
Program Resources
Funding opportunities for graduate work vary, but tend to be highly competitive. Please contact the department for more information on student financial support.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
MODE OF INSTRUCTION
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Evening/Weekend: These programs are offered in an evening and/or weekend format to accommodate working schedules. Enjoy the advantages of on-campus courses and personal connections, while keeping your day job. For more information about the meeting schedule of a specific program, contact the program. Online: These programs are offered primarily online. Many available online programs can be completed almost entirely online with all online programs offering at least 50 percent or more of the program work online. Some online programs have an on-campus component that is often designed to accommodate working schedules. Take advantage of the convenience of online learning while participating in a rich, interactive learning environment. For more information about the online nature of a specific program, contact the program. Hybrid: These programs have innovative curricula that combine on-campus and online formats. Most hybrid programs are completed on-campus with a partial or completely online semester. For more information about the hybrid schedule of a specific program, contact the program. Accelerated: These on-campus programs are offered in an accelerated format that allows you to complete your program in a condensed time-frame. Enjoy the advantages of on-campus courses with minimal disruption to your career. For more information about the accelerated nature of a specific program, contact the program. |
CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 75 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 33 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | Half of degree coursework must be completed graduate-level coursework; courses with the Graduate Level Coursework attribute are identified and searchable in the university's Course Guide (https://registrar.wisc.edu/course-guide/). |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. |
| Other Grade Requirements | No other specific grade requirements. |
| Assessments and Examinations | Design and Technology students must pass two candidacy portfolio examinations in the first year of residency. They must pass two comprehensive-progress, portfolio examinations in both the second and third years of residency. A research or creative thesis is required for Design and Technology candidates. |
| Language Requirements | No language requirements. |
Required COURSES
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Program Coursework | ||
| Theatre History/Literature/Criticism courses | 6 | |
| Production courses | 12 | |
| THEATRE 367 | Script Analysis 1 | 6 |
| or THEATRE 501 | The Business of Acting | |
| or THEATRE 619 | Special Topics in Theatre and Drama | |
| THEATRE 699 | Directed Study | 6 |
| THEATRE 368 | Fundamentals of Directing | 3 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
| 1 | Students take 6 credits of either Script Analysis, The Business of Acting, or THEATRE 619 with the topic: The Business of The Business, depending on their specialist area. |
Specialist Coursework
Acting1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Acting courses | 12 | |
| Movement courses | 12 | |
| Voice courses | 12 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Costume Design1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Design courses | 9 | |
| Drafting courses | 3 | |
| THEATRE 619 | Special Topics in Theatre and Drama (Topic: Period Dress and Décor) | 6 |
| THEATRE 970 | Collaborative Design & Technology Studio | 6 |
| Skills (Crafts) courses | 6 | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Lighting Design1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Design courses | 9 | |
| Drafting course | 3 | |
| THEATRE 619 | Special Topics in Theatre and Drama (Topic: Period Dress and Décor) | 6 |
| THEATRE 970 | Collaborative Design & Technology Studio | 6 |
| Skills courses | 6 | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Scenic Design1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Design courses | 9 | |
| Drafting course | 3 | |
| THEATRE 619 | Special Topics in Theatre and Drama (Topic: Period Dress and Décor) | 6 |
| THEATRE 970 | Collaborative Design & Technology Studio | 6 |
| Skills courses | 9 | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Theatre Technology1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Design courses | 12 | |
| Drafting course | 3 | |
| Technical Management courses | 9 | |
| THEATRE 970 | Collaborative Design & Technology Studio | 3 |
| Electives | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
| 1 | These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript. |
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Major-Specific Policies
Graduate Program Handbook
The Graduate Program Handbook is the repository for all of the program's policies and requirements.
Prior Coursework
Graduate Work from Other Institutions
With program approval, students may count no more than 18 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions.
UW–Madison Undergraduate
With program approval, students may count up to 7 credits numbered 300 or above.
UW–Madison University Special
With program approval, students may count up to 15 credits numbered 700 or above.
ProbatioN
Each of the MFA Specializations in Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scene Design, and Theatre Technology conducts separate reviews of students each semester by portfolio and/or oral examination. Students may be placed on probation if program faculty determines that they are not meeting the expectations of their specific degree requirements.
ADVISOR / COMMITTEE
A thesis or final creative project must be prepared under the direction and guidance of a major professor.
Committee consists of four members—advisor and three other committee members.
CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED
15 credits
Time Constraints
The MFA Specializations in Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scene Design, and Theatre Technology generally follow a three-year timeline and variations from this must be approved by the degree program head.
Other
Qualified candidates are considered for 33% TA positions as the budget allows.
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
- Exhibit exceptional skill and professional competence in theatre practice exemplified by a knowledge and achievement signified by a large body of work.
- Applies advanced analytical levels of inquiry and investigation in the creation, performance, production, or communication of theatre practice.
- Possesses a broad knowledge of theatre literature as well as visual and cultural history and applies that knowledge to the production process.
- Demonstrates the requisite artistic and technical skills to meet professional standards.
- Formulates ideas, concepts, designs, performances and/or techniques that advance the field.
- Articulates complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner.
- Recognizes and applies principles of ethical and professional conduct.
- Collaborates effectively, creatively, and generously through respect for the contributions of others.