Theatre (Performance), MFA
Actor, Performance, arts, dance, music, solo, theater, theatre
ASU is not currently accepting applications for this program.
The MFA program in theatre with a concentration in performance focuses on cultivating the actor-creator and fostering the conceptual thinker and collaborator by teaching students to develop and create original devised works and enabling them to develop their skills as artist entrepreneurs. Innovative performance applications in multimedia and transdisciplinary collaboration are informed by artistic integrity and social responsibility.
The school offers multiple approaches to devising and new work development:
- Fitzmaurice voicework
- Lecoq training
- new play development
- performance technology
- rasaboxes
- solo and collaborative performance
- various devising methodologies
- viewpoints
In addition to core physical and vocal training, the program offers undergraduate-level teaching opportunities, funding for national and international conference travel, and career development internship opportunities.
During the third year of study, candidates conduct professional career development internships. In the past, students have completed internships at:
- Childsplay Theatre Company
- Cleveland Playhouse
- Dah Theatre, Belgrade, Serbia
- North Coast Rep
- One Yellow Rabbit
- SITI Company
- Synetic Theatre
- The Actor's Gang (Los Angeles)
- Theatre L'Homme Dieu
- Victory Gardens
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
60 credit hours including the required applied project course (THP 693)
This is a three-year program culminating in an applied project. The first year is dedicated to intensive movement; acting and Fitzmaurice voice training; and ensemble-building and devising with a focus on Lecoq, rasaboxes, viewpoints and Meisner. Second-year training provides opportunities for students to explore their work in a wide range of performance modalities such as community-embedded drama, solo performance, and performance and technology, and to devise original work. Performers collaborate with the Master of Fine Arts designers, directors and playwrights to devise a new scripted performance for the mainstage season. The third year culminates in an applied performance project, serving as a bridge between the educational and professional worlds and the communities they serve. Academic and artistic progress is evaluated at the end of each semester by a faculty committee. Program continuation is contingent upon a successful review. A professional career development internship is required.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- current resume
- statement of purpose
- academic writing sample
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The letters of recommendation should be from professionals familiar with the student's work.
Students are admitted to this program every three years, forming a cohort with their colleagues in the other Master of Fine Arts programs in theatre practice.
An interview, either on campus or at one of the university or resident theatre association sites, is required.
Students should see the program website for application deadlines and admission terms.
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Apply a variety of acting, movement, and voice methodologies and modalities to performance contexts.
- Apply advanced knowledge of history and theory to collaboration, development, and devising of original work.
- Synthesize one's skills towards substantial performance projects that integrate core specializations.
Professionals with a Master of Fine Arts in performance have successfully obtained tenure-track jobs in movement, voice, acting and devising as well as postgraduate fellowships, visiting faculty positions and adjunct faculty positions at prestigious colleges and universities across the country.
The program builds skills for creating one's own theatre and theatre company, and several of the program's graduates have successfully created their own theatre companies. Several graduates have become professional actors working in regional and professional theatres, have joined established theatre companies or are working within an established theatre companies as teaching artists, program coordinators and event curators.
Career examples include:
- creating and forming a theatre company
- creating and producing original devised work
- obtaining highly competitive local and national arts grants and arts residencies
- obtaining tenure-track jobs in acting, voice and movement
- obtaining visiting faculty and adjunct faculty positions
- performing and touring with established theatre companies
- presenting work at national and international conferences
- publishing articles and books that impact the field
- working within an established arts organization as a teaching artist, program coordinator or event curator
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
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MUSIC E167
MDTAdmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
