Option in Acting (code THEAMF01)
Option in Technical Theatre/Design (code THEAMF02)
Option in Theatre Management (code THEAMF03)
Option in Dramatic Writing (code THEAMF04)
Master of Business Administration / Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management (code THEAMZ01)
The Master of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Arts is the terminal degree offering the professional training deemed necessary by the major Theatre Arts Schools in the United States.
All students admitted to the MFA program are members of California Repertory Company and are subject to the operating procedures of the company. CalRep, the professional arm of the Theatre Arts Department, prepares and performs plays from the canon of international dramatic literature.
Transfer credit allowable toward the MFA may not exceed 20 units. The Graduate Advisor must approve all transferred credit use in the MFA Program.
1. Students applying for the MFA program must have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Theatre Arts from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA in upper-division theatre courses, meet University admission requirements, and submit evidence of creative ability and professional intent in one of the following areas: Acting, Technical Theatre/Design, Theatre Management, Dramatic Writing;
2. 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. Units of credit from coursework in a graduate program may be acceptable after review by the faculty evaluation committee, and approval by the Dean;
3. Admission to the program in Acting requires audition, profeffional resume, and interview. Admission to the program in Technical Theatre/Design requires interview and/or submission of original work such as manuscripts, designs, renderings, slides, digital images, models and/or working drawings;
4. All students admitted into the MFA program will be admitted as conditionally classified. In order to obtain fully classified status, a committee from the Theatre Arts faculty must authorize continuation in the program after evaluating academic progress, individual skills development, and review of performance or portfolio at the end of the student's first full year of residence.
1. Attain fully classified status;
2. Remove all undergraduate deficiencies determined by the departmental evaluation and the Dean of the College;
3. Submit a program for approval by the department chair, the graduate advisor and the Dean of the College.
The MFA degree is a 60-unit degree requiring full time residency. The options share a common core of courses. The remainder of courses offer the opportunity further to develop artistic skills in particular options. The program culminates in a major creative project and written project report.
The Acting option requires work in voice, movement, and process each semester. Process classes explore a wide range of acting styles. Ongoing performances in public presentations are required. 60 units required.
This option requires work in a variety of skills development emphasizing the technological as well as the artistic aspects of design and execution. Continuous advancing assignments in productions for public performances are required.
Concentration core classes:
Costume Concentration: 60 units:
Electives, with advisor's approval, can be taken from the University at large. Recommended electives include courses from Theatre Arts, Art, Art History, Music, and Design.
Scenery Concentration:
Electives, with advisor's approval, can be taken from the University at large. Recommended electives include courses from Theatre Arts, Art, Art History, Music, and Design.
Lighting Concentration:
Electives, with advisor's approval, can be taken from the University at large. Recommended electives include courses from Theatre Arts, Art, Art History, Music, and Design.
The option in Theatre Management requires work in a number of different areas including front of house, box office management, press relations, outreach, development, contracts, and fundraising. Successful completion of different assignments in each area is necessary for advancement in the program. 60 units required.
Electives with advisors approval may be taken from the University at large.
ADMISSION IS SUSPENDED TO NEW STUDENTS.
The MFA in Theatre Arts, Option in Dramatic Writing degree program is 60 units, normally requiring full-time residency. The program culminates in a major thesis writing project of publishable/producible quality. Course requirements are arranged according to the following structure:
Core A (12 units) Dramatic Writing:
Core B (9 units) History, Theory, Criticism, Production and Writing:
Core B.1 (12 units)
Core C (6 units) Rhetorical Theory, Criticism, and Communication Studies:
Core D (6 units) Comparative World Literature & Classics:
MFA Thesis (6 units):
Elective Course (9 units)
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.
Candidates for this program must hold the equivalent of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum of 24 units of upper division work in Theatre Arts. They should have achieved an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 (B-) and 3.0 GPA in upper division theatre courses. All candidates for admission are required to complete the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and achieve a score of at least 475. The GMAT measures general verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that are developed over a long period of time and are associated with success in the first year of study at graduate schools of management. For each applicant, there is a departmental evaluation, based upon diagnostic examination and an analysis of official undergraduate transcripts to determine deficiencies and all areas which must be strengthened by the graduate program.
Business Core 1 (12 units)
Business Core 2 (21 units)
Business Elective (3 units)
Theatre Core (9 units)
Theatre Management (24 units)
Theatre Practicum (12 units)
Culminating Thesis/Project (3 units)
Theatre Electives (6 units)
