Students must complete satisfactorily all core studio and production work in acting, speech, voice, performance, and movement. In addition, they are required to take supplementary work in theory, script analysis, auditioning, and stage combat. In all, this program should total at least 70 credits. Students must comply with a three-year full-time residency requirement.
After the first semester, M.F.A. degree program actors are required to perform extensively in both studio and fully produced main stage productions under the guidance of professional directors with national reputations. The first year of study is devoted to using external and internal emotional techniques for interpretive purposes. The focus of the second year is on developing craft tools necessary for sophisticated character work. The second year also incorporates extensive play text analysis.
The third year is devoted largely to classical repertoire. At the end of the year, students who have completed all degree requirements perform in a highly successful actor presentation for agents and casting personnel. Only students in good artistic and academic standing and who expect to graduate at the end of the third year are permitted in the actor presentation.
