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Acting
Scenic Design
Costume
Design
Lighting
Design
Stage
Management
Theatre
Management |
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The Program & Curriculum: Masters of Fine Arts Degree
The Hilberry Acting program was conceived and implemented in 1963
with the belief that one of the best systems of theatre training is an intensive
performance-guided experience based on a series of classical plays
performed in rotating repertory. Director Tyrone Guthrie, a consultant in
planning this program, believed that the most effective way to teach the
craft of acting was to work on the challenging roles found in great classic
plays. This principle is embodied within the structure of the program. A
major portion of the actor’s day is devoted to rehearsal and performance,
during which the craft of acting is nurtured and monitored. Continuous
performance before a live audience is considered a fundamental part of
the learning process.
In addition to rehearsal and performance, the Hilberry actor takes Studio
classes that include acting, voice and movement. Acting classes emphasize
the exploration of various techniques, including neutral mask, physical
action, playing goals and obstacles, study of verse, scansion, and
characterization. Movement classes emphasize alignment, agility, and
strength as well as period dance/deportment and Pilates. Voice classes
emphasize Patsy Rodenburg’s approach to vocal workout and heightened
text. Working to ground the student in language through the words,
thought structures, and images. The department invites guest artists and
teachers for additional instruction in movement, dance, Shakespearean
play analysis and performance, audition technique, and the “business”
side of acting.
The following selection of courses is typical for actors:
Studio Acting
Studio Voice and Speech
Studio Movement and Dance
Repertory Theatre
(rehearsals and performances)
Advanced Script Analysis
Dramaturgy
Advanced Development of Drama
Studies in Dramatic Criticism
Playwriting
Seminar: Period Drama
Seminar: Modern Drama
Seminar: Theatre History
Theatre Aesthetics |
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| Monday - Friday |
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. |
Voice or Movement
Acting
Academic Classes
Matinees (most Tuesdays)
Rehearsal
Rehearsal or Performance |
Saturday |
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
7 p.m. - 11 p.m. |
Rehearsal or Matinee
Performance |
Sunday |
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Occasional Calls |
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The program in scenic design is production oriented, emphasizing practical training and experience in designing for a wide variety of styles - from the classics to established modern plays to new plays. It is devoted to developing professional artists in a broad range of theatre activities. Training provides for the development of artistic, presentational and technical skills required by each discipline as well as rich experience in collaboration with other theatre disciplines. Learning emphasizes spontaneity, conceptualization, originality and self-questioning. An atmosphere of trust, exploration and respect for tradition is sought for a rich experience in collaboration with other theatre disciplines.
You have an opportunity to design two to five fully realized productions in three years. You work in rotation as a designer, assistant designer, technical director, property master and scenic painter. At the end of each semester, a portfolio presentation of studio work demonstrates professional growth. The training program gives an opportunity to work with students on an individual basis.
The following selection of courses is typical for scenic designers:
Professional Stage Design I & II
Advanced Stage Design
Introduction to Scenic Painting
Advanced Scenic Painting
Styles of Design
Advanced Stage Lighting
Costume Design for Theatre
Architecture and Décor
Repertory Theatre (design practicum)
Development of Drama
Play Direction
Teaching Internship Option
Theatre Aesthetics
Design Studio I-IV
MFA Exit Project |
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| Monday - Friday |
9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Meetings
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
7:30 p.m. - TBA
11 p.m. - TBA |
Bonstelle Production
(once a week)
Classes
Work Calls
Technical Rehearsals
Change-overs as needed |
Saturday |
2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
11 p.m. - TBA |
Work Calls
Work Calls or Tech Rehearsals
Change-overs as needed |
Sunday |
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Occasional Calls |
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The MFA Costume Design program
gives students an opportunity to study
and practice the art of costume design
through intensive classroom
experience and design production
opportunities. Whether a student
recently graduated from a
baccalaureate program or is a more
experienced professional desiring
additional training, the
comprehensive course of study,
classroom learning, and numerous
design challenges afford the costume design student many opportunities
to develop as a creative artist.
The typical course of study includes traditional courses in design technique
and technical production. Students learn the techniques of costume
technology through production work with plays of many genres, periods,
and styles. Students will have ample actualized design work with which
to enhance their portfolio. Most have the opportunity to produce four to
six realized productions at the Hilberry and Bonstelle Theatres.
The following selection of courses is typical for costume designers:
Foundations of Graduate Design
Styles of Design
Costume History and Design I and II
Professional Costume Design I and II
Design Studio I-IV
Theatre Costuming II
Repertory Theatre (design practicum)
Architecture and Décor
Teaching Internship Option
Play Direction
Development of Drama
MFA Exit Project
Some of the electives from which the student may select include:
Advanced Stage and Film Makeup
Draping
Flat Patterning
Tailoring
Life Drawing
Watercolor
Painting |
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| Monday - Friday |
9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Meetings
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
7:30 p.m. - TBA
11 p.m. - TBA |
Bonstelle Production
(once a week)
Classes
Work Calls
Technical Rehearsals
Change-overs as needed |
Saturday |
2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
11 p.m. - TBA |
Work Calls
Work Calls or Tech Rehearsals
Change-overs as needed |
Sunday |
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Occasional Calls |
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The MFA in Lighting Design
focuses on the production of
theatre in combination with
individualized coursework to
develop each student as an
artist. Working in both the
Hilberry and Bonstelle
Theatres, a wide variety of
design opportunities are
available. Lighting designers
will design major productions
in five of their six semesters in
the program, as well as
numerous smaller productions in the Studio Theatre. These opportunities
are combined with classes that are kept small enough to address the
particular needs of each student. This combination provides a solid
experience in both the theory and practice of lighting design.
The assistantships awarded to graduate students allow the work assigned
to provide a technical background and expertise in lighting and sound,
while maximizing each student’s exposure to the variety of work being
produced within the Department of Theatre.
The following selection of courses is typical for lighting designers:
Foundations of Graduate Design
Advanced Lighting Design
Professional Lighting Design I and II
Design Studio I-IV
Intro to Scenic Painting
Architecture & Décor
Play Direction
Development of Drama
Theatre Aesthetics
Theatre Costuming
Stage Design
Teaching Internship Option
Repertory Theatre (design practicum)
MFA Exit Project |
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| Monday - Friday |
9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Meetings
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
7:30 p.m. - TBA
11 p.m. - TBA |
Bonstelle Production
(once a week)
Classes
Work Calls
Technical Rehearsals
Change-overs as needed |
Saturday |
2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
11 p.m. - TBA |
Work Calls
Work Calls or Tech Rehearsals
Change-overs as needed |
Sunday |
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Occasional Calls |
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The Stage Management specialization is intended to train students for
professional positions in stage management or for teaching stage
management in higher education. Applicants are expected to have previous
stage managing experience at the undergraduate level and be wellorganized,
self-starting, highly motivated, and possess excellent
interpersonal communication skills. The stage manager’s role requires a
wide range of artistic, technical, managerial, and communication abilities.
It demands a strong, unwavering commitment to the process of theatre
production, and to serve that process by fostering a creative work
environment that is conducive to its ultimate success. Stage managers are
obligated to maintain the welfare of the actors, to promote the director’s
artistic goals, and to facilitate open communication of the production’s
needs to the artistic team in order to advance those goals.
The curriculum consists of a balanced selection of courses providing a
wide range of skills critical to the success of a stage manager. Production
assignments are also central components of this program. In the course of
three years, students will normally have the opportunity to stage manage
a minimum of six to nine faculty-directed main stage productions at the
Hilberry Theatre.
The following selection of courses is typical for stage managers:
Stage Management
Scenic Design
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Technical Production
Theatre Management
Theatre History
Development of Drama
Dramaturgy/Advanced Script Analysis
Repertory Theatre
(stage management practicum)
Other available courses include:
Group Dynamics
Labor Management
Psychology
Interpersonal Communication
Contracts and Grants |
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| Monday - Friday |
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
11 p.m. - TBA |
Classes
Matinees (most Tuesdays)
Rehearsal
Rehearsal or Performance
Change-overs as needed |
Saturday |
10 a.m. - 5p.m.
7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
11 p.m. - TBA
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Rehearseal or Matinee
Performance
Change-overs as needed |
Sunday |
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Occasional Calls |
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- to see our recent grads, click here.
MFA Theatre Management students are organized in to three managerial
teams: Audience Development, Marketing, and Operations. The teams
function in their assigned areas as they would in any regional theatre -
creating a budget and plan of operation, then implementing and
evaulating the plan. Students progress each year to a higher level of
managerial experience, ultimately managing a team in the third year of
study.
In addition to the major area of assignment, theatre managers serve as
publicists for department productions. If not assigned to the Hilberry
Theatre box office or house management, students also house manage in
the Bonstelle Theatre.
Intensive seminars that focus on particular subjects and skills in theatre
management are also part of this vigorous program.
Theatre management students take courses from different areas of the
university: the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts as
well as the College of Business. This varied course of study, combined
with three years of intensive practical experience, creates a unique
managerial opportunity that prepares the theatre management students
to competitively enter the job market.
The following selection of courses is typical for theatre managers:
Human Resources and Financial Management for the Theatre
Public Relations and the Theatre
Marketing for the Theatre
Fund Development and the Theatre
Advanced Studies in Theatre Management
Leadership in the Theatre
Theatre Management Practicum
Some of the electives from which the student may select include:
Dramatic Criticism
Theatre History
Development of Drama
Financial Reporting and Analysis
Management Principles and Organizational Process
Organizational Communication
Grantwriting for Nonprofits
Legal Environment of the Arts |
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| Monday - Friday |
9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
7 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. |
Bonstelle Production Meetings (once a week)
Classes or Work Calls
House Management,
BoxOffice, other front-of-house
duties or occasional events |
Saturday |
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
7 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. |
Box Office and other work
calls as needed
Box Office, House
Management, or occasional
events |
Sunday |
12 p.m. - 6 p.m. |
House Management or
Box Office on Bonstelle
weekends, or occasional
events
Occasional Calls |
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