The Master of Business Administration/Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management is a three year full time program (including two summer sessions) offered jointly between the Theatre Arts Department and the Graduate School of Business. Students enrolled in the MBA/MFA program will participate in all the practical training required of the MFA students. In addition to the core courses in theatre management, the MBA/MFA student will take an additional 30 units of business courses including finance, accounting, marketing, strategic business management and operations. The GMAT or GRE is required for admission into the MBA/MFA program.
MBA/MFA Curriculum
The MBA/MFA degree will prepare arts professionals in all areas of both arts administration and business for professional careers in arts management—in performing and exhibiting arts organizations, in arts service organizations, in government, funding agencies and arts councils. The program prepares students for high level administrative positions and provides the background essential for advancement in professional management careers.
90 Units: THEA 502, 503, 504, 507, 517 (4 units), 518 (4 units), 519 (4 units), 523, 524, 550, 602 (6 units), 603, 696, 699 (Thesis)(3 units); 6 units of theatre electives. Electives, with advisor’s approval, may be taken from the university at large. Business Core: MKTG 500; ACCT 500; MAN 500; FIN 501; ACCT 610; FIN 600; HRM 652; IS 601; IS 602; MGMT 647; MKTG 661; and 3 units of business electives.
The Graduate Program in Theatre Management is one of just a handful of such MFA programs across the nation to be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. It focuses on the skills and understanding necessary to successfully practice in America's theaters and performing arts organizations. It is also a useful means to qualify for a university post in theater or the other performing arts.
At CSULB we align ourselves with a not-for-profit, organizational management approach. Our students take courses in principles of nonprofit management, fundraising, strategic planning, producing, marketing, and leadership. Their opportunities to gain skill and understandings are enhanced by the generous cooperation of the faculty in the College of Business and by the opportunity to intern in Los Angeles' many professional theaters.
Our courses are open to the graduate students of other disciplines who might benefit from any of our work. And all of our students practice what they are learning by being actively involved in the management of California Repertory Theatre.
MFA Curriculum
The MFA degree in Theatre Arts is the terminal degree offering the professional training deemed necessary by the major theatre arts schools in the United States for university and college teaching positions as well as professional theatre positions in management in the theatre, television, film, stage, opera, and the theme park industry.
The MFA curriculum emphasizes full-time professionally oriented study of specific theatre practice. It requires three years of full-time graduate study and the completion of sixty semester credit hours. In addition to academic and professional studies, internships under professional conditions with California Repertory Company are an integral part of the program.
The option in Theatre Management requires work in a number of different areas including front of house, box office management, fundraising, marketing, publicity, production and stage management. Successful completion of practical assignments in differing areas is necessary for advancement in the program.
60 Units: THEA 502, 503, 504, 507, 517 (4 units), 518 (4 units), 519 (4 units), 523, 524, 550, 602 (6 units), 603, 696, 699 (3 units); MKTG 500; ACCT 500; and 6 units of electives. Electives, with advisor’s approval may be taken from the university at large.
Management students have the opportunity to take classes in other disciplines depending on their interests and previous experience.
Students applying for the MFA program must have completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA in upper division major courses, meet university admission requirements, and submit evidence of creative ability and professional intent. When an undergraduate degree has been completed in a program having different requirements than those at CSULB or in some field other than Theatre Arts, additional preparation and time may be required before the student can be considered for classified status in the degree program. Up to 24 units of credit from an MA degree program may be acceptable after review of the faculty evaluation committee and approval by the Dean. The MBA/MFA option requires a passing score on the GMAT of 500 with a written score above 4 or a GRE score average 156 in Verbal Reasoning and 146 in the Quantitative Reasoning. Further information on MBA admissions is available here http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/cba/mba/requirements/
Admission to the program in Management requires an interview and/or submission of original works such as brochures, programs, press releases, grant proposals, etc. A committee will review the student's work no later than the end of his/her first year in residence and judge whether the student should continue in the program. In order to obtain full-classified status, a committee from the Theatre Arts graduate faculty will evaluate academic progress, individual skill development, and review performance or portfolio work at the end of the student's first full year in residence.
Evaluation of the student's development and progress, along with an assessment of his or her potential in the profession is provided periodically for retention in the program. Candidates present a final project showing professional competence in the area of their concentration. Opportunities for management experience are provided in a variety of formal and informal settings.
Before you submit the online application you will need to apply to CSULB via the CSU mentor and schedule a time to take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) at www.mba.com or the GRE https://www.ets.org/gre/. Once you have done those two things you can fill out the application.
Please note: you will have six weeks to email your essays from the application to csulb.theatre.mgmt.app@gmail.com once your online application is submitted.
Once we have received your completed materials the admissions committee will review your application and contact you regarding your qualifications and a possible interview.
Most members of the company will be offered an assistantship in their area of concentration. There are opportunities to teach while one is a member of the company. Assistantships range from $5,000 to $8,000 per academic year.
If you have further questions, please contact Eric Imley, Managing Director at 562-985-7470 or eric.imley@csulb.edu.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the MFA Program. Design, preparation, rehearsals, and performances of selected plays in California Repertory Company and University Players. Traditional grading only. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 units (6 hrs lab.)
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the MFA Program. Design, preparation, rehearsals, and performances of selected plays in California Repertory Company and University Players. Traditional grading only. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 units (6 hrs lab.)
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the MFA Program. Design, preparation, rehearsals, and performances of selected plays in California Repertory Company and University Players. Traditional grading only. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 units. (6 hrs lab.)
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the MFA Program. Study of contemporary principles of management processes specifically targeted to people pursuing professional Theatre Arts Management careers. The principles and practices of marketing, development, fundraising, and publicity are analyzed and assessed through research and study. Traditional grading only. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the MFA Program or senior status and completion of THEA 476 or consent of instructor. Study of contemporary principles of leadership and leadership development processes with special concern for application to people working in the arts. The context for leadership in arts organization is assessed and matched against students’ personal leadership styles. Traditional grading only.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the MFA Program or senior status and completion of THEA 476 or consent of instructor. Study of the principles of organizational management as applied to not-for-profit arts organizations. Issues include strategic planning and analysis, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling. Also to be studied are the principles and practices of fundraising in the not-for-profit environment. Traditional grading only.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the MFA Program. Study of the application of contemporary principles of management processes specifically targeted to people pursuing professional Theatre Arts Management careers. The applications of the principles and practices of marketing, development, fund-raising, and publicity are analyzed and assessed through research and study. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 9 units. Traditional grading only.
Topics of current interest in Theatre Arts selected for intensive study. May be taken for maximum of nine units. Topics will be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Traditional grading only.
Advanced individual projects with faculty supervision in an area of Theatre Arts specialization. Limited to three units in any one area per semester and no more than six units in one semester with a total of nine units in any one area. Areas will be designated by letter at time of registration as
Traditional grading only. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 9 units.
A study of theoretical aesthetics as it applies to the creative act. Practical application of research and variable aesthetic elements in production style and conceptualization. Traditional grading only.
Critical exploration of the major schools of thought between 1970 and the present including styles, genres, and both national and international trends. Contributions of theatre practitioners and theorists and the role of the audience in this period. Traditional grading only.
Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy and consent of department chair. Planning, preparation, and completion of thesis related to field of specialization. Traditional grading only. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 units.
