Graduate Degree Programs
MFA in Theatre: Performance
The performance concentration readies you for the evolving roles of theatre and the performing artist. The school offers an approach to training that includes - and goes beyond - traditional actor training by fusing traditional techniques with newer approaches such as Viewpoints and interaction with media in live performance. The program stresses skills for approaching and creating new work, developing artistic entrepreneurship, performance applications in multimedia, and interdisciplinary collaboration, informed by artistic integrity and social responsibility.
Admission
You must meet all admission requirements of the Graduate College. In addition, the School of Theatre and Film requires a minimum of 30 undergraduate semester hours of course work in theatre a minimum GPA of 3.20 for all course work in theatre. For the concentration in performance, requirements also include:
- Interview and audition, either on campus or at one of the U/RTA sites
- Three letters of recommendation
- Detailed statement of purpose
- Current résumé
- Sample of critical writing, such as a term paper or research project (in lieu of GRE scores)
Dates and sites for interviews may be obtained from the School of Theatre and Film.
Application Deadline
Admission to this program is cohort-based. We will accept applications for the 2011 academic year beginning in Fall 2010. The application and test score deadline is Feb. 15. After that date, admission is subject to space availability.
Program of Study
You work closely with the MFA cohort steering committee to develop a program of study in required and elective courses. You are evaluated at the end of each semester by the steering committee, in consultation with faculty teaching that semester. You are responsible for documenting professional development. The advancement of each student through each of the three years in the MFA program is dependent upon a positive recommendation of the supervisory committee.
The program for the performance concentration consists of a minimum of 60 semester hours, distributed as follows:
Credit Before Admission
Subject to approval by the supervisory committee, a maximum of 24 semester hours of graduate work from a completed master's degree program earned at ASU or another accredited institution may be applied to the program of study. In other cases, a maximum of nine semester hours of non-degree graduate work from ASU or another institution may be applied. All course work for the degree must be completed within the six-year time limit.
Foreign Language Requirements
None.
Final Examinations
A comprehensive examination or comprehensive review in the area of concentration is required. In addition, students failing to receive a grade of "B" (3.00) or higher in THE 504 and 520 must pass a written comprehensive examination on the subject matter of those courses. THP 693 Applied Project must be supported by written documentation and defended in an oral defense.
Deficiencies
Deficiencies in undergraduate preparation of no more than 12 hours may be removed while pursuing the MFA degree; courses taken to remove deficiencies may not be counted toward the degree.
MFA in Performance Auditions
The School of Theatre and Film will recruit for a new class to begin in the fall of 2011. An ASU representative will attend the following auditions:
URTA in New York, Chicago and San Francisco in the spring of 2011. Dates and times available on the URTA website September 2010: urta.com
ACTF Region VIII Next Step in February, 2011. Dates and times available on the ACTF website September 2010: kcactf-8.org
Arizona State University Tempe campus, February 2011. By appointment only.
To schedule an audition contact:
Professor David Barker
MFA Performance Coordinator
PO Box 872002
School of Theatre and Film
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona 85287-2002
davidbarker@asu.edu
480.965.7416 (office)
480.965.5351 (fax)
The ASU audition consists of a performance followed by an interview. The performance is five minutes maximum and consists of materials that best represent the candidate's talents and skills. The five minutes should have an artistic shape. Skills can include, but are not limited to:
Monologues
Singing
Mime
Dance
Stage Combat
Performance Art
Circus
Clown
Juggling
Martial Arts
Poetry
Rants
Storytelling
Stand-up Comedy