Theatre Arts, Directing Concentration, M.F.A.

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Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts

(60 UNITS)

This degree is for students who desire a professionally oriented education and training in design and technical production, acting and directing. Based on a student’s previous undergraduate or professional experience, substitutions or revisions in the study plan might be appropriate. Average length of time to complete the program is three years.

At the end of each semester, M.F.A. candidates shall be evaluated by a faculty committee. The committee, by recommendation to the Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies, has the authority to retain, dismiss or place candidates on probation. To be retained in the M.F.A. Acting program, students must prepare an acting demonstration (jury) at the end of each semester. The performance faculty will assess each student at this time and determine if the student warrants retention or dismissal from the program based on a set of predetermined criteria. In addition to the acting jury, each student will be assessed on professionalism, collegiality and progress in coursework and departmental productions.

Application Deadlines

Applications for the Directing and Acting Concentrations are accepted in the fall semester only in odd-numbered years (i.e., Fall 2009, 2011, etc.) for admission in even-numbered years (i.e. Fall 2010, 2012, etc.) Applications for the Design/Technical Production Concentration are accepted every fall semester. The deadline for completing online applications is March 1 for the following fall semester; mailed applications also need to be postmarked by March 1. This deadline may change based upon enrollment projections.

Call the Theatre and Dance Department (657-278-3628) to satisfy additional requirements for consideration, including auditions for actors, interviews for directors and design portfolios for design/production students.

Admission to Graduate Standing - Classified

Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions section in this catalog for complete information. In addition, applicants must meet the following for admission to the program and classified standing:

B.A., B.F.A. or M.A. from an accredited college or university with a major in theatre; or a degree in a related field and extensive work in technical design and production, acting or directing;
completion of an oral interview and satisfactory review of the student’s portfolio or audition;
acceptance by the faculty;
minimum GPA of 3.0 in all upper-division undergraduate work in theatre. A minimum GPA of 2.75 for the last half of the undergraduate program is also required;
completion of any additional prerequisites which may be required by the student’s individual committee prior to classification;
selection of a graduate adviser and committee. Total committee membership should be three or four faculty members, including the adviser;
submission of a formal M.F.A. study program approved by the individual committee, the department graduate adviser and the dean of graduate studies; and
meet the Graduate Writing Requirement.

Admission to Graduate Standing - Conditionally Classified

Students who do not meet certain prerequisites may be considered for admission in conditionally classified graduate standing. Consult the graduate program adviser.

Directing Concentration

Course Requirements (60 units)

M.F.A. Projects in Directing

The M.F.A. in Directing Program requires the completion of three creative projects that have been approved by the individual’s committee and are of sufficient challenge and complexity. These projects shall be mounted and presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance as a portion of its production program. The program shall culminate in a project book submitted by the M.F.A. candidate to the individual’s committee. The project book will clearly and objectively articulate the process of formulating the final main stage project from initial concept to critical reaction, utilizing experiences and material discovered through classroom participation and the development of the production.