Program Requirements

Master of Arts

MA candidates will normally follow the non-thesis option as described below. For the non-thesis option, all candidates must complete 13.5 units of graduate course work (as described in the separate entries below) and an MA Essay of 4.5 units. In exceptional cases, a candidate may be granted permission by the graduate adviser to follow the thesis option, which requires completion of 12 units of graduate course work and an MA thesis of 6 units.

Each student will be assigned a faculty supervisor who will assist the student in the development of the final project.

MA in Theatre History – Thesis Option

Course Requirements

Thesis

The candidate will submit the thesis and orally defend it as part of the requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Program Length

MA in Theatre History – Non-Thesis Option

Course Requirements

Final Project (MA Essay)

Under the direction of the faculty supervisor, the candidate will prepare, orally defend during examination and submit a paper suitable for presentation at a recognized scholarly conference or a refereed academic journal.

Under special circumstances, the faculty supervisor may approve a student’s request to pursue an MA thesis program. Information is available from the Graduate Adviser.

Program Length

Master of Fine Arts

Applicants must have practical theatre experience and may be required to take a diagnostic examination. Any deficiencies will represent additional requirements for the student and must be eliminated before the student may enrol in the graduate level courses in that area. All courses must be taken at the graduate level unless otherwise specified. Candidates may be required to write comprehensive examinations before proceeding to the practicum.

Each student will be assigned a faculty supervisor who will assist the student in the development of the thesis or practicum.

MFA in Directing – Non-Thesis Option

MFA Directing students will direct a number of short projects and at least one full-length play before graduation.

A practicum production is required along with a practicum report.

Members of the performance faculty supervise all projects and productions.

Course Requirements

Final Project THEA 524, MFA Practicum

A production to be decided upon in consultation with the student’s supervisor and the department’s graduate faculty.

Oral Examination

An oral defense of the practicum production is part of the requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Normally this defense must occur within two months of the close of the production.

Other requirements

If a written comprehensive examination is required, it must be passed prior to commencing work on the practicum production. The comprehensive examination will emphasize the practical areas of the theatre but may include Theatre History.

Program Length

Normally two calendar years of residency.

MFA in Design/Production – Non-Thesis Option

Candidates develop their knowledge and skills in three major fields of design for the theatre: scenery, costume and lighting. Practical application of theoretical knowledge and learned skills is particularly emphasized. Normally candidates provide designs for a number of departmental productions, specializing in one area of design, with a minor specialization in a second area.

Course Requirements

Final Project THEA 524, MFA Practicum

A production to be decided upon in consultation with the student’s supervisor and the department’s graduate faculty.

Oral Examination

An oral defense of the practicum production is part of the requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Normally this defense must occur within two months of the close of the production.

Other requirements

A written comprehensive examination may be required. If required, it must be written no later than the spring term of the second year and prior to commencing work on the practicum production.

Program Length

Normally two calendar years of residency.