The Department of Dramatic Arts offers a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.). The M.F.A. in Dramatic Arts degree is awarded with a concentration in either Acting, Design, Directing, Puppet Arts, or Technical Direction. Additionally, although the Department does not admit students to the University specifically for a Masters of Arts (M.A.), previously matriculated M.F.A. students may apply for an M.A. degree in Dramatic Arts with a concentration in Acting, Puppet Arts, or Production and Design. The M.F.A. and M.A. in Dramatic Arts are intensive degree programs designed to prepare individuals for the numerous careers in theatre. Our goal is to provide the finest professional training through classroom and studio instruction. To enrich the real-world training, students are provided maximal opportunities to obtain professional level production experience through active participation in plays produced by its theatre production arm, the Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT). Through a conservatory approach in a liberal arts setting, our students learn to perform, interpret and teach in all aspects of theatre in a rich learning environment that provides a broad education and intense training. UConn’s M.F.A. in Dramatic Arts is accredited by the University Resident Theatre Association (URTA).

The student’s advisory committee determines specific course requirements for the M.A. and M.F.A. in Dramatic Arts, which are consistent with the minimum requirements specified by the Graduate School. In addition to the Graduate School requirements outlined in the Academic Regulations section of this catalog, the graduate programs in Dramatic Arts have additional requirements listed below.

M.F.A. in Dramatic Arts Areas of Concentration

Acting

The M.F.A. Concentration in Acting requires a minimum of 60 credits. The M.F.A. program is designed to be completed in three years, with students taking formal acting-studio courses in each of their six semesters, appearing as cast in productions at Connecticut Repertory Theatre and completing the Acting NYC Showcase in their third year. Due to course sequencing, students are normally only admitted for the Fall semester.

M.F.A. in Acting Core Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
DRAM 5001	Voice and Diction I	3
DRAM 5002	Voice and Diction II	3
DRAM 5003	Voice and Diction III	3
DRAM 5004	Voice and Diction IV	3
DRAM 5005	Voice and Diction V	3
DRAM 5006	Voice and Diction VI	3
DRAM 5131	Studies in Theatre History	1-3
DRAM 5700	Studies in Professional Acting	1-3
DRAM 5701	Professional Acting I	3
DRAM 5702	Professional Acting II	3
DRAM 5703	Professional Acting III	3
DRAM 5704	Professional Acting IV	3
DRAM 5705	Professional Acting V	3
DRAM 5706	Professional Acting VI	3
DRAM 5801	Movement for the Actor I	3
DRAM 5802	Movement for the Actor II	3
DRAM 5803	Movement for the Actor III	3
DRAM 5804	Movement for the Actor IV	3
DRAM 5805	Movement for the Actor V	3
DRAM 5806	Movement for the Actor VI	3
DRAM 5197	Special Topics in Theatre Studies	1-3
DRAM 5192	Independent Study in Theatre Studies	1-6
Total Credits		58-69

Design

The M.F.A. Concentration in Design is an advanced, professional training program with focused tracks in the areas of either Costume Design, Lighting Design, or Scenic Design. The degree requires a minimum of 60 credits and a three year residency. Students are encouraged to take courses across all design disciplines. Additionally, M.F.A. Design students are required to fulfill an Internship Milestone which requires participation in a professional theatre, television, or film studio. The Internship Milestone will be a minimum of three months and a maximum of one year of Curricular Practical Training required for a firm grounding in the profession.

M.F.A. in Design Core Requirements

Costume Design

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
DRAM 5130	Introduction to Graduate Studies in Stage Design	3
Select 39 credits from the following:		39
DRAM 5132	Survey of 20th Century Theatrical Design
DRAM 5402	Costume Design: Comic Exaggeration
DRAM 5403	Costume Design: Tragedy and Post Modernism
DRAM 5405	Costume Design: Dance and Musicals
DRAM 5407	Costume Design: Film
DRAM 5410	Studies in Applied Costume Craft (repeatable)
DRAM 5411	Color Theory / Light and Fabric
DRAM 5415	Advanced Make-up: Prosthetics and Wigs
DRAM 5416
DRAM 5417	Costume Design: Flat Pattern Costume Drafting
DRAM 5418	Costume Design: Draping Patterns
DRAM 5419
DRAM 5420	Wearable Electronics and Interactive Objects
DRAM 5494	Costume Design Seminar (repeatable)
DRAM 5497	Special Topics in Costume Design
DRAM 5492	Independent Study in Costume Design (repeatable)	15
DRAM 5496	MFA Project in Costume Design	3
Internship Milestone
Total Credits		60

Lighting Design

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Select six credits from the following:		6
DRAM 5130	Introduction to Graduate Studies in Stage Design
DRAM 5132	Survey of 20th Century Theatrical Design
DRAM 5500	Studies in Lighting Design (repeatable)	18
Select 12 credits from the following:		12
DRAM 5503	Lighting Design: Dance
DRAM 5514	Production Lighting Design and Business Practices
DRAM 5515	History of Lighting Design
DRAM 5516	Lighting Design: Non-Traditional Performance
Select 21 credits from the following:		21
DRAM 5592	Independent Study in Lighting Design (repeatable)
DRAM 5597	Special Topics in Lighting Design (repeatable)
DRAM 5596	MFA Project in Lighting Design	3
Internship Milestone
Total Credits		60

Scenic Design

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
DRAM 5130	Introduction to Graduate Studies in Stage Design	3
DRAM 5312	Scenic Design: Perspective Drawing and the Pencil Sketch	3
DRAM 5397	Special Topics - Scenic Design (repeatable)	12
Select 18 credits from the following:		18
DRAM 5300
DRAM 5301	Scenic Design: Single Set Plays
DRAM 5302	Scenic Design: Multi-Set Play
DRAM 5316	Scenic Design: Computer Rendering for the Theatre
DRAM 5319	Scenic Design: Styles of Ornamentation
Select 12 credits from the following:		12
DRAM 5392	Independent Study in Scenic Design (repeatable)
DRAM 5396	MFA Project in Scenic Design
Select 12 credits from the following:		12
DRAM 5131	Studies in Theatre History
DRAM 5189	Field Studies Internship in Design/Technical Theatre
DRAM 5320	Scene Painting
DRAM 5392	Independent Study in Scenic Design
DRAM 5400-5499
DRAM 5500-5599
DRAM 5600-5699
DRAM 5208	Computer Applications
Internship Milestone
Total Credits		60

Directing

The M.F.A. Concentration in Directing requires a minimum of 60 credits. The M.F.A. program is designed to be completed in three years. The program is highly individualized and aims to educate the student as creative artist, director and leader. To that end, in course and production work, emphasis is placed on developing the director’s unique artistic imagination and mastery of collaborative leadership.

M.F.A. in Directing Core Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
DRAM 5130	Introduction to Graduate Studies in Stage Design	1-3
DRAM 5131	Studies in Theatre History	1-3
DRAM 5132	Survey of 20th Century Theatrical Design	3
DRAM 5159	Practicum in Theatre Studies	1-3
DRAM 5197	Special Topics in Theatre Studies	1-3
DRAM 5192	Independent Study in Theatre Studies	1-6
DRAM 5200	Studies in Technical Production	1-3
DRAM 5329	Technical Research and Writing	3
DRAM 5612	ISM's: Art Movements of the Early 20th Century	3
DRAM 5700	Studies in Professional Acting	1-3
Total Credits		16-33

Total number of hours includes supplemented courses taught elsewhere in the University if approved by students’ advisers.

Puppet Arts

The M.F.A. Concentration in Puppet Arts program is focused on preparing the student for professional work in the Puppet Arts and requires a minimum of 60 credits. Classroom instruction offers the student practice in theory, history, conception, scripting, design, mechanics, fabrication with a variety of materials, and performance with different puppet types. Production work provides practical experience with performance styles, materials, and production development. The M.F.A. program is designed to be completed in three years.

M.F.A. in Puppet Arts Core Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
DRAM 5601	Advanced Mask	3
DRAM 5602	Advanced Paper Sculpture	3
DRAM 5603	Puppet Theatre Production	3
DRAM 5604	Advanced Rod Puppet Theatre	3
DRAM 5605	Advanced Puppetry in Television	3
DRAM 5607	Advanced Materials Techniques	3
DRAM 5608	Marionette Performance	3
DRAM 5609	Marionette Construction	3
DRAM 5610	Advanced Hand Puppet Theatre	3
DRAM 5611	Advanced Ultraviolet Light/Czech Black Theatre	3
DRAM 5612	ISM's: Art Movements of the Early 20th Century	3
DRAM 5613	Advanced Shadow Theatre	3
DRAM 5614	Puppet Production Seminar	3
DRAM 5615		3
DRAM 5616	Trends in Contemporary American Puppet Theatre	3
DRAM 5617	World Puppet Theatre	3
DRAM 5618	Production Planning and Development	1-3
DRAM 5619	Movement-Based Performance for the Puppet Theatre I	3
DRAM 5620	Directing for Puppet Theatre I	3
DRAM 5696	M.F.A Project in Puppetry	1-6
Total Credits		56-63

Technical Direction

The M.F.A. Concentration in Technical Direction is an advanced, professional training in technical production areas associated with the performing arts. The degree requires a minimum of 60 credits and a three year residency. The program emphasizes planning and management and focuses on methods of investigating and applying new techniques, materials and technologies to the technical management and execution of productions. Students are encouraged to take courses across all design disciplines and are expected to assist in designing the Connecticut Repertory Theatre productions.

Technical Direction Core Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
DRAM 5132	Survey of 20th Century Theatrical Design	3
Select 36 credits from the following:		36
DRAM 5200	Studies in Technical Production
DRAM 5201	Production Drafting
DRAM 5202	Technical Direction
DRAM 5204	Technical Analysis
DRAM 5207	Electricity and Electronics for the Theatre
DRAM 5208	Computer Applications
DRAM 5209	Studies in Theatre Design
DRAM 5211	Advanced Rigging Techniques
DRAM 5212	Shop Technology
DRAM 5213	Stage Technology
DRAM 5297	Special Topics in Technical Production
DRAM 5292	Independent Study in Technical Theatre (repeatable)	15
DRAM 5296	MFA Project in Technical Theatre	3
Any 5000 level Dramatic Arts Courses		6
Total Credits		63

Semester Review Exhibition Policy

All M.F.A in Design and Technical Direction students are required to participate in the “Semester Review Exhibition Gallery” when held each term. Participation is defined as meaningfully supporting the load in, presentation, and strike of the exhibition as assessed by the faculty. 

M.A. in Dramatic Arts Areas of Concentration

Acting

The M.A. Concentration in Acting requires a minimum of 30 credits, which are composed of a set of acting-studio courses, electives, and casting in Connecticut Repertory Theatre productions. Courses are chosen with the approval of the student’s major advisor and based on the student’s previous study and experience, projecting intended personal goals and possible employment.

Puppet Arts

The M.A. Concentration in Puppet Arts requires a minimum of 30 credits, which are composed of a set of Puppet Arts courses and electives that are chosen with the approval of the student’s major advisor and based on the student’s previous study and experience, projecting intended personal goals and possible employment.

Production and Design

The M.A. Concentration in Production and Design requires a minimum of 30 credits, which are composed of a set of production and design courses and electives that are chosen with the approval of the student’s major advisor and based on the student’s previous study and experience, projecting intended personal goals and possible employment.