Graduate Bulletin

Theater/Directing, M.F.A.

SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THEATER

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: February 1, 2009

* * NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS * *

Application to open September 1, 2008

The MFA Directing program recruits applicants through the National Unified Auditions and Interviews conducted by University/Resident Theatre Association in New York and Chicago. We currently recruit two candidates in two consecutive years and skip the third year.  The next class will be admitted in Fall 2009. We strongly encourage those interested in our program to apply in the fall at http://urta.com/index.php. 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. Candidates unable to interview as part of the NUA/I interviews should follow the criteria listed below.

All candidates must also complete the formal Temple University Graduate School application found at http://www.temple.edu/grad/index.htm.

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 the applicant's 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:

The B.A. in Theater or B.F.A. degree in Acting, Design, or Directing is preferred.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals serves as the applicant’s opportunity to explain relevant experience, values, and areas of intense interest.  It is the applicant's introduction to the department.  It is to be written in essay format, but may be personal in style and need be no longer than 500 words.

Standardized Test Scores:

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, or 79 internet-based.

Interview:

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

Resume:

A resume is required.

Other:

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

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 60

Required Courses:

The Directing Practicum is required in each semester of the program.

Other required courses include Text Analysis, Dramatic Literature, Projects in Directing, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Film Script Analysis, Thesis Production, and two semesters of Visual History.

15 credits are to be chosen from the following: Costume Design, Voice for the Actor, Speech for the Actor, Movement for the Actor, Stage Combat, Stage Makeup, and Stage Management.

Internship: No internship is required.  Our program, however, maintains an excellent relationship with many Philadelphia area professional theaters.  As a result, it is not unusual for a student to direct in one of these venues prior to graduation.  See “Third Year” description below.

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.

Second Year:

Students will direct 1 or 2 projects in the studio theater. Limited financial support will 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 that will be part of the mainstage season. During the alternate semester, an opportunity may exist for an internship.  This choice requires faculty approval.  An additional option is an 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 is on the short scene (5-10 minutes).  Three scenes are presented to the department with a focus on realism.

First Year/Spring Semester: Continued practical focus is on directing 3 short scenes, each exploring a different period/style.  Additionally, a short project (20-35 minutes) is required.  The latter is unsupported.

Second Year: Practical focus is on a supported Randall production during one of the semesters. During the other semester, a freely chosen, unsupported project allows the student to explore personal interests or career objectives in theater.

Culminating Events:

Thesis:

One fully supported thesis project is presented on the mainstage. This is accompanied by a written thesis, which includes an account of the research and script analysis that 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.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/theater/

Department Information:

Tomlinson Theater
1301 W. Norris Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
theater@temple.edu
215-204-8414

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

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

Program Coordinator:

Dan Kern
dankern@temple.edu
215-204-9597

Graduate Chairperson:

Dan Kern
dankern@temple.edu
215-204-9597

Chairperson:

Roberta Sloan
rsloan@temple.edu
215-204-3226

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

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Full-time study is required.

Department Information:

Tomlinson Theater
1301 W. Norris Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
theater@temple.edu
215-204-8414

Interdisciplinary Study:

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

Affiliation(s):

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

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Not applicable.

Accreditation:

The Theater Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST) and is a founding member of the University/Resident Theatre Association.

Areas of Specialization:

Students 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 students for careers in the professional theater.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Coursework may not be taken on a nonmatriculated basis.  Graduate students are admitted on a full-time matriculated basis only.

Financing Opportunities

Practical production work in Directing is available on occasion.  Other options include lab and studio work and classroom teaching. Assistantships carry a stipend and full-tuition scholarship.

Updated 10.5.07