INTRODUCTION
Students are accepted into the MFA Directing Program with the understanding that they have a fundamental grasp of the directing process, some practical directing experience, evidence of the ability to be an artistic leader, and a commitment to honing their craft.
The goal of our program is to prepare students to direct professionally and/or on the college level in an academic situation. For some students this will include a focus on pedagogy and intersections between directing and teaching. With this as our basic focus, the progress of each student will be measured against the benchmarks listed below. In addition, each student must meet regularly with their primary advisor for ongoing informal evaluation; meet once for a midsemester review with selected advisors; and once more for an end-of-semester review with their full committee during each semester they are enrolled.
It is expected that by striving toward the prescribed benchmarks, regularly communicating with advisors and participating in the review process, each student will generate a body of information that will enable both the student and his/her committee to determine if reasonable progress toward the goals of the program are being made.
BENCHMARKS
Each student must be able to demonstrate a satisfactory proficiency with regard to the following directorial responsibilities:
- I. Action &Storytelling • Identifying and illuminating “what happens” in the text and making it “happen in front of us” by creating a structure of information, impressions, images and ideas through the manipulation of all available theatrical elements.
- II. Analysis &Conceptualization • Breaking down the text, understanding its dramaturgical structure and significance, how it works as a live event, and conceiving a vision for presentation of discoveries.
- III. Organization & Preparation • Extrapolation and planning of the rehearsal process, the moment-to-moment life of the event, and the overall experience for actors and audience.
- IV. Working with Collaborators • Exchanging images, ideas and intuitions with performers, designers and other members of the production team in a manner that enables those involved to contribute fully as creative partners.
- V. Solicitation of Support • Enlisting the energy, resources, creativity and “buy-in”, of performers,production team, granting organizations, and anyone else capable contributing to the success of the project.
- VI. Expanding&Sharing Knowledge • Continuing to expand knowledge of the various theater arts, the Humanities, areas of specialization, and the world at large. Imparting an understanding of text, related material, process, and techniques in a clear, concise and repeatable manner.
- VII. Networking & Marketing • Presentation of professional/artistic self for colleagues, employers, granting organizations and audience in various formats and settings including portfolios, interviews, letters, press and advertisements.
- VIII. Measurement • To ensure that there are sufficient opportunities to demonstrate “satisfactory proficiency” in the above areas,students will be asked to do the following:
- 1. Direct one project each semester they are enrolled. (Details and substitutions for this project are to be worked out with the student’s primary advisor.)
- 2. Submit all supporting materials for their semester project including, but not limited to, production plan, director’s prompt book, directorial notes, post production observations, grant and publicity materials (if applicable) to their primary advisor.
- 3. Discuss and present work from semester projects in Directing Studio prior to public viewing.
- 4. Complete all directing assignments in DirectingStudio.
- 5. Fulfill their teaching assignments or other assistantship and open their class to their primary advisor for observation; as well as submit course materials for evaluation.
SAMPLE COURSE OF STUDY
CORE CREDITS (REQUIRED OF ALL MFA STUDENTS):
TH 680: Group Studio (3)
TH 730: Textual Analysis (3)
TH 793B: World Rep I (3)
TH 793D: World Rep II (3)
TH 699T: Thesis (3)
Subtotal: 15 core credits
AREA CREDITS (REQUIRED OF DIRECTING STUDENTS)
TH 750: Directing Studio (5 x 3-6 credits, depending on project/show)
TH 760, 761, or 762: Scenic, Lighting, or Costume Studio (3)*
TH 797: Performance Theory (3)
TH 698: Internship (6)
*Must be taken within first 3 semesters.
Note: Mainstage production assignments are credited via TH 750. Normally, students assistant direct in Year 1, and direct in Years 2 & 3.
Subtotal: 27-42 area credits
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED TO GRADUATE: 60
Sample Course of Study
(will vary according to student)
“A Schedule” Cohort
Fall, Year 1 Group Studio (3)
Textual Analysis (3)
Directing Studio (3)
Spring, Year 1
Directing Studio (3)
Production Assignment (3)
Design Studio (3)
Elective (3)
Summer: Internship?
credited to Fall, Year 2
Fall, Year 2
Directing Studio (3)
Production Assignment (3)
World Rep I (3)
Elective (3)
Spring, Year 2
Directing Studio (3)
Performance Theory (3)
Elective (3)
Summer: Internship?
credited to Fall, Year 3
Fall, Year 3
Internship (6)
World Rep II (3)
Elective (3)
Spring, Year 3
Directing Studio (3)
Thesis Show (3)
Elective (3)
“B Schedule” Cohort
Fall, Year 1
Group Studio (3)
Directing Studio (3)
World Rep I (3)
Spring, Year 1
Textual Analysis (3)
Directing Studio (3)
Production Assignment (3)
Elective (3)
Summer: Internship?
credited to Fall, Year 2
Fall, Year 2
World Rep II (3)
Directing Studio (3)
Design Studio (3)
Elective (3)
Spring, Year 2
Directing Studio (3)
Production Assignment (3)
Performance Theory (3)
Summer: Internship?
credited to Fall, Year 3
Fall, Year 3
Internship (6)
Elective (3)
Elective (3)
Spring, Year 3
Directing Studio (3)
Thesis Show (3)
Elective (3)