MFAs in Theatre-related fields.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 2:53pm

I sincerely apologize if this is supposed to go in the student board, but since it deals with more experience in the field it feels like it just didn't fit there.

Anyways, I've een researching into what the good programs for a MFAs in theatre fields are, and I was wondering if anyone knew of particularly gtrong graduate programs, particularly for Theatre Education.

So far, I know about Boston University's Theatre Ed. grad program, and I'm inquiring as to whether anyone knows of any others that exist, and any MFA programs in just Theatre or acting that are particularly strong.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 7:19pm

bump!

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 9:08pm

Come on, doesn't anyone know any other programs?
Updated On: 7/23/05 at 09:08 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 9:10pm

What are you wanting to do? Teach? Or work in Education & Community Outreach for a theatre?

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 9:13pm

Both, really. primarily teach.

I'm just looking out for where i can get an MFA in programs of that sort, and also what are generally the best places to go for graduate study in performance and directing.

[briarbrad]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 9:19pm

for MFA's in directing, the top programs are generally considered to be Yale, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Boston Univ.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 9:27pm

Well, I think the answer is the same for good theatre MFA programs in general. A few I would mention: NYU, Cincinatti Conservatory of Music, University of Texas, Southern Methodist University, any of the Ivy League schools, UCLA, etc.

I got mine at the University of Houston. It's a two year program that includes an internship---and Houston has two great theatres for such, Theatre Under The Stars and the Alley Theatre. I studied at UH with Stuart Ostrow and his wife. Edward Albee was there during that time--I don't believe he is still, but they have another great playwright there. Peter Hall took over for Jose Quintero there. Not sure if Hall is still there.

An MFA grants you the ability to teach college. Professional experience helps you get into a good grad program--and later a good teaching job. (Besides that teachers should be teaching professional theatre to students--not "educational theatre", which only serves a purpose in educational theatre.)

In E&CO programs at regional theatres, it is good to have a great understanding of Education. Programs sell better to schools when they can tie the show or activity in with their curriculum. It isn't always enough to say that they are being exposed to theatre. The traveling one person/two person shows at the Alley cover a historical figure or culture. And, you should also be familiar with issues of the handicapped and seeing and hearing impaired. You should be familiar with the cultures of the minorities in your area. In Houston, that would be primarily the African American community as well as the Latino community. In NYC, that would expand greatly.

Check out http://www.alleytheatre.org and go to the Education & Community Outreach section. The site is not up to date at all, but it will give you a great overview of a great E&CO program.

And, remember that the goal of E&CO is to develop and cultivate future audience and artisans of the theatre. And, the biggest artisan of the theatre that needs fought from extinction is the playwright--which ties in beautifully with schools' literacy agendas.

Updated On: 7/23/05 at 09:27 PM