Degree Program: Master of Fine Arts

Chair, Department of Theater Arts: Professor David Esbjornson

Vice Chair/Head of Acting: Professor Barbara Marchant

Director, Graduate Program in Acting: Professor Deborah Hedwall

Director, Graduate Program in Design and Set Design: Professor R. Michael Miller

Interim Director, Graduate Program in Playwriting: Kathleen Tolan

Director, Graduate Program in Stage Management : Carol Thompson

The Department of Theater Arts at the Mason Gross School of the Arts (MGSA) is dedicated to one purpose: developing professional artists.

Students entering the MGSA graduate program in theater arts concentrate on one of five major disciplines: acting, design (including costume technology), directing, playwriting, or stage management. 

Theater is a collaborative art form, and consequently, all programs are carefully coordinated. Students develop the skills needed to master their chosen majors and also gain rich experience in working with the other disciplines.

Students with outstanding talent who are dedicated to their artistic development will find that each program gives them the training they need to make a genuine contribution to the professional theater and entertainment industry. 

The department's faculty members believe that significant contributions can be made only by artists who possess mastery of their craft and who have an inspiring artistic vision. Standards in each program are high. The faculty focus and attention is on the students' functioning at the highest levels. Therefore, each student is subject to faculty review at the middle and end of every semester. Each student must retain total faculty support to continue in the program.

The theater curriculum is currently in development. For up-to-date curriculum and course information, visit the department's page on the Mason Gross website.