Graduate

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre

Creating Connections

The M.F.A. in Theatre is a three-year professional training program dedicated to carefully nurturing a select group of theatre artists who seek to:

  • Connect to their individual voice/aesthetic.
  • Connect to their craft.
  • Connect to their collaborators and mentors.
  • Connect to the world their work explores and examines.

Areas of Concentration

Acting

Lighting Design

Costume Design

Playwriting

Directing

Scenic Design

 

The M.F.A. in Theatre is a terminal degree that prepares candidates practically, artistically, and intellectually to succeed professionally in their chosen area of concentration: Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Costume Design, Lighting Design, or Scenic Design. The program is intentionally intimate, allowing for intensive individualized mentorship from our expert faculty—a group of gifted working professionals, passionate about theatre and the art of teaching.

Our faculty seeks to prepare M.F.A. candidates for the unknowns of the professional world, by making them confident in the power of their vision/voice. While intimate in size, the program is broad in scope allowing candidates to explore a full range of learning opportunities, and encouraging collaborations across disciplines.

The Department of Theatre will begin accepting new applicants for the M.F.A. Program  in late Fall of 2025 for the cohort beginning in Fall of 2026. In the meantime, if you would like to  be notified when applications  open, please fill out our form.

In general, the following information is requested for applications.

Applicants should be prepared to provide the following information and materials:

  • Applicant Information
  • Unofficial Transcript, and college GPA
  • A one- to two-page personal statement addressing the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue an M.F.A.  
  • Letters of recommendation from theatre professionals, professors, or other people who are familiar with the applicant and/or their work. One of the recommendations must speak directly to the applicant’s work.
  • A résumé detailing academic experience, professional work in the theatre, and other relevant work experience.
  • A portfolio/audition of their work that includes samples.
The GRE Test is not required for admission to the M.F.A. Program.

TOEFL Scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English.

Before applying, please familiarize yourself with the admission requirements in the area you wish to study.  Each area has a unique plan of study tailored to that specific discipline.

 

Acting

Costume Design

Directing

Lighting Design 

Playwriting

Scenic Design

The Master of Fine Arts degree requires 60 hours of approved graduate-level coursework that is focused in one of area of concentration: Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Costume Design, Lighting Design, or Scenic Design.  

Each student will be reviewed annually. Departmental faculty will determine whether sufficient progress has been made, artistically and academically, to warrant continuation into subsequent year of study and eventual graduation.

Transfer of credit may be considered for those students entering the M.F.A. program and to those already holding the M.A. degree in Theatre. However, a minimum of 42 hours of graduate-level courses and four (4) regular semesters must be completed on the Fayetteville campus.

Departmental requirements may be waived by the faculty in Theatre only upon receipt of evidence of equivalent learning or skill resulting from earlier education or experience.

Our assistantships pay for all tuition (excluding fees) and give a minimum 9-month $16,000 stipend each academic year. The Graduate School offers competitive merit-based fellowships to provide additional financial support to outstanding incoming students. These merit-based fellowhips award an additional $4000 each year to  qualified students.  There are other select scholarships for which you might be eligible, as well. Summer assistantships are also sometimes available.

All new graduate assistants must have background checks before they can be appointed.  All offers are contingent on a successful background check, but no work can begin until the check is complete.