Graduate Bulletin

Theater/Directing, M.F.A.

SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THEATER

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: March 1

Written applications are thoroughly screened, and top candidates are invited to interview at Temple or one of the U/RTA audition sites. After all candidates have been interviewed, those accepted are notified by letter by April 15.

A supplemental application is required. To obtain the supplemental application, please contact the program at www.temple.edu/theater.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 3

From whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/University Professors and Professionals in the field who are familiar with their work.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree, preferably with a major in theater.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

Yes. Acting, Design, Directing.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals serves as an introduction of the applicant. It is an opportunity for the applicant to set forth his or her relevant experience, values, and areas of intense interest. It is to be in proper essay form but may be personal in style, and need be no longer than 500 words.

Standardized Test Scores:

Minimum TOEFL score or range of scores needed to be accepted: 575 on the paper-based test or 230 on the computer-based test. Applicants who score below 600 on the paper-based test or 250 on the computer-based test will be required to take and pass a remedial English course during their first semester at Temple University.

Interview:

The applicant meets with appropriate faculty, either through U/RTA or on site at the Main Campus.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Other:

In addition to an undergraduate degree, applicants must have a body of professional or semi-professional experience in directing.

Program Requirements

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m.

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 60

Required Courses:

Practicum each semester of Year One Text Analysis Dramatic Literature; History of Costume & Architectural Decor Ensemble for Directors; Actors Projects in Directing and Design; Lighting History of Modern Scenic Design Advanced Acting Film Scene Analysis; Thesis Production 15 credits to be chosen from the following: Voice for the Actor; Speech for the Actor; Movement for the Actor; Stage Combat; Stage Makeup; Stage Management.

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

First Year:

Students will direct a one-act play in the studio theater and serve as assistant to the director of a mainstage show. Practical focus on supported Studio production during one of the semesters. During the other semesters, 3 scenes, each exploring a different period/style.

Second Year:

Students will direct 2 projects in the studio theater. There will be limited financial support to allow collaboration with designers and a greater emphasis on the physical elements of production.

Third Year:

Students will direct a thesis production. This will be a fully mounted production which will be part of the mainstage season. Practical focus on the thesis production fully designed during one of the semesters. During other semester, internship for a portion of the semester; at the discretion of the faculty, an additional option could be a freely chosen, unsupported project to allow the student to explore personal interests or career objectives in theater.

Practical Application (in addition to coursework):

First Year - Fall Semester: Practical focus on the short scene (5-10 minutes) - 3 scenes to be presented to the department - focus on realism. First Year - Spring Semester: One half of the semester: stage managing a mainstage show and directing 2 short scenes each exploring a different period/style. Other half of semester: one-act project (20-35 minutes) - (unsupported), u.g. actors.

Second Year: Practical focus on (supported) Randall production during one of the semesters. During other semester - internship for a portion of the semester: at the discretion of the faculty, an additional option could be a freely chosen, unsupported project to allow the student to explore personal interests or career objectives in theater.

Culminating Events:

Thesis:

One fully supported thesis project on mainstage. This is accompanied by a written thesis which includes an account of the research and script analysis which preceded the rehearsal process, and the student's evaluation of the production. The applicant meets with appropriate faculty after the production has closed for discussion and evaluation of both the process and the production. Faculty members look systematically at all aspects of the theater production and evaluate them in terms of what was attempted and what was achieved. Theatrical concept, unity of design and stylistic approach, the visual and aural components of story-telling, and ensemble work of the actors are evaluated from the point of view of directing, acting, and design faculty.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/theater/

Department Information:

Tomlinson Theater
1301 W. Norris Street
Philadelphia, PA 10122
theater@temple.edu
215-204-8414

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Darlene Plunkett
dplunkett@temple.edu
215-204-8748

Program Coordinator:

Joe Leonardo
jfleon@temple.edu
215-204-8651

Graduate Chairperson:

Joe Leonardo
jfleon@temple.edu
215-204-8651

Chairperson:

Donald Heller
dheller@temple.edu
215-204-6434

About the Program

The focus of the M.F.A. program in Theater/Directing is to develop the directing student as a communicator who can penetrate the dramatic text and envision the dramatic event, work with fellow artists (actors, choreographers, designers and playwrights) and through that work, ultimately bring a unified vision to the audience.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m.

Department Information:

Tomlinson Theater
1301 W. Norris Street
Philadelphia, PA 10122
theater@temple.edu
215-204-8414

Ranking:

The Temple University Theater Department's M.F.A. Program was ranked 23rd for Graduate Theater Programs in 1997 by U.S. News & World Report.

Accreditation:

The Theater Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST).

Areas of Specialization:

Students will focus on the relationship of the director to the actor, the designer (set, costume, lighting and sound), and the dramatic text.

Job Placement:

The program is primarily focused on training our students for careers in the professional theater.

Affiliation(s):

Temple theater students have the opportunity to intern with many of the numerous professional theaters in Philadelphia, including the Wilma, the Arden, the Prince Music Theater and the Philadelphia Theater Company.

Interdisciplinary Study:

Students are able to take some coursework with Film Media Arts graduate students.

Study Abroad:

No.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Graduate students are admitted on a full-time matriculated basis only.

Financing Opportunities

Practical production work within their area of training. Lab, studio and classroom teaching opportunities available. Assistantships carry a stipend and full-tuition scholarship.

Other Financial Opportunities