Theater | 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog | SIU

The School of Theater and Dance is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre, 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, Virginia 20190.

The School of Theater and Dance blends scholarship and practice in an academically based theater experience that provides students with broad based exposure to human experience and a sound foundation in the skills of theater craft. Class work in all areas of theater is complemented by a production program that reinforces both scholarship and practice, creating work that is as imaginative and highly polished as possible. Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge of performance, production, theater history, contemporary practice, literature and theory in a wide variety of theater venues. Graduates will also be able to demonstrate intrapersonal and interpersonal skills in the form of leadership qualities, self-discipline, creative expression, critical thinking, and the ability to work effectively as a part of a collaborative team. The development and guidance of talent and discipline, both characteristic of the artist/scholar, are the goals of the School of Theater and Dance.

The School of Theater and Dance maintains two theaters for public productions: the McLeod Theater, a proscenium stage seating approximately 500, and the Christian H. Moe Laboratory Theater, a flexible stage seating up to 110. The playbill typically encompasses a balance of contemporary, classic, and original works, and offers seven productions including a musical during the academic year. The summer season, McLeod Summer Playhouse, consists of several productions operating as a professional summer stock company, offering stipends and/or graduate credit.

The School of Theater and Dance offers a graduate program of study leading to a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theater. An interdisciplinary doctoral study in Theater is sponsored by the School of Communication Studies.

Admissions

To apply, students must fill out the online application for Admission to Graduate Study in Theater. Applicants for graduate studies in theater must satisfy the minimum requirements of the Graduate School before being admitted to the school. The application includes a statement of purpose, transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework together with three (3) letters of recommendation from former teachers or supervisors. There is a $65 nonrefundable application fee payable online.

There are additional requirements established by each of the areas of study in the M.F.A. in Theater Program. Applicants in the directing area are required to submit materials that are representative of their previous theater work and/or indicate an aptitude for stage direction (including promptbooks, programs, reviews, photos, video tapes or casebooks from previous directing efforts). At this time, each applicant will work with actors on a directing scene to demonstrate their ability to analyze the scene and work with actors. Applicants in the costume, lighting, scene design and technical direction areas are required to submit portfolio samples of their work. Applicants in the playwriting area must submit approximately two to two-and-a-half hours of written material consisting of one full-length play and/or several significant short pieces. These materials should be sent directly to the Director of Graduate Studies at the address below.

Although an undergraduate major in theater is not essential for admission to a graduate degree program in theater, the Director of Graduate Studies may require that certain course deficiencies in undergraduate subject areas be remedied. These requirements are stated in writing on the admissions approval form.

More detailed information about these requirements is obtainable from: Director of Graduate Studies, School of Theater and Dance, Mail Code 6608, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL  62901, 618-453-5741.

Financial Assistance

There are several kinds of financial assistance available to graduate students in the School of Theater and Dance. First, there are graduate fellowships awarded on the basis of superior scholarship. Second, special fellowships are offered annually to students who show promise of success in graduate studies although their academic records have been only average due to economic disadvantages. The fellowships have no service requirements. Third, graduate assistantships with competitive stipends are available to students who are employed in various academic support positions, such as teaching, research, and production. All fellowships and assistantships include a waiver of tuition (both in-state and out-of-state). Applications for financial assistance may be obtained by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies.      

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Theater

The Master of Fine Arts degree program in Theater emphasizes practical expertise in one of the following areas: directing, playwriting, costume design, lighting design, scene design and technical direction. The school encourages interdisciplinary study in related fields including performance studies, dramatic literature, dramaturgy, musical theater and opera. In most instances, a three-year residency is required of all M.F.A in Theater students.

By March of their first year of study, each student will undergo a review of their progress in the program. The criteria by which each area will make its evaluations are to be found described in detail in the M.F.A. in Theater handbook, in the appropriate section dealing with the area's specific requirements. The faculty can elect from the following actions: 1. Suggest areas the student needs to work on before he/she is allowed to proceed to the Qualifier/Thesis project. 2. Move the student along to the Qualifier/Thesis project. 3. Require the student to attend a 2nd Year Review. 4. Dismiss the student from the M.F.A. in Theater program.

All M.F.A. in Theater students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of course work, including the M.F.A. in Theater degree core requirements, and with a minimum of 30 credit hours at the 500 level:

• THEA 500: Theater Research Methods (3 CH)
• THEA 501: Contemporary Developments (3 CH)
• THEA 599: Thesis (6 CH)

    Total M.F.A. in Theater Core: 12 hours

In addition, each area of study has specific area and elective requirements, which are as follows.

Directing

• M.F.A. core (12 CH)
• THEA 401A: Stage Management (2 CH)
• THEA 401B: Stage Management Lab (1 CH)
• THEA 402: Directing Studio (3 CH)
• THEA 417: Advanced Acting (3 CH)
• THEA 502: Advanced Directing Studio (9 CH)
• THEA 504A: Performing Justice/Theory (3 CH)
• THEA 504B: Performing Resistance (3 CH)
• THEA 511A: Playwriting I (3 CH)
• THEA 520A: Period Style Theater I (3 CH)
• THEA 520B: Period Style Theater II (3 CH)
• Design Classes (select 2 of 3) (6 CH)
  •     THEA 407: Scene Design
  •     THEA 414: Costume Design
  •     THEA 418: Lighting Design
•     Electives (by advisement) (9 CH)

     Total: 60 credit hours

Costume Design

• M.F.A. core (12 CH)
• THEA 414: Costume Design (3 CH)
• Design & Production Classes (select 2 of 3) (6 CH)
  • THEA 407: Scene Design
  • THEA 418: Lighting Design
  • THEA 419: Technical Direction
• THEA 510: Production Design Seminar (6 CH)*
• THEA 516: Advanced Theater Design & Production (2-8 CH)
• THEA 412: Patterning & Draping for the Theater (2 CH)
• THEA 413: Drafting for the Theater (3 CH)
• THEA 415A, THEA 415B, THEA 415C, THEA 415D Costume Crafts I, II, III, IV (8 CH)
• THEA 512: Advanced Costume Construction (2-8 CH) (may be taken 4 times)
• THEA 520A: Period Style Theater I (3 CH)
• THEA 520B: Period Style Theater II (3 CH)
• Electives (by advisement) (8 CH)
• *THEA 510 is to be taken every semester in residence. Students who complete the program in fewer semesters must make sure degree courses total 60 credit hours.

     Total: 60 credit hours

Lighting Design

• M.F.A. core (12 CH)
• THEA 418: Lighting Design (3 CH)
• Design & Production Classes (select 2 of 3) (6 CH)
  • THEA 407: Scene Design
  • THEA 414: Costume Design
  • THEA 419: Technical Direction
• THEA 510: Production Design Seminar (6 CH)*
• THEA 516: Advanced Theater Design & Production (2-8 CH) (may be taken 4 semesters)
• THEA 520A: Period Style Theater I (3 CH)
• THEA 520B: Period Style Theater II (3 CH)
• Electives (by advisement) (19 CH)
• *THEA 510 is to be taken every semester in residence. Students who complete the program in fewer semesters must make sure degree courses total 60 credit hours.

     Total: 60 credit hours

Scene Design

• M.F.A. core (12 CH)
• THEA 407: Scene Design (3 CH)
• Design & Production Classes (select 2 of 3) (6 CH)
  
  • THEA 414: Costume Design
  • THEA 418: Lighting Design
  • THEA 419: Technical Direction
• THEA 510: Production Design Seminar (6 CH)*
• THEA 516: Advanced Theater Design & Production (2-8 CH) (may be taken 4 semesters)
• THEA 520A: Period Style Theater I (3 CH)
• THEA 520B: Period Style Theater II (3 CH)
• Electives (by advisement) (19 CH)
• *THEA 510 is to be taken every semester in residence. Student who complete the program in fewer semesters must make sure degree courses total 60 credit hours.

     Total: 60 credit hours

Technical Direction

• M.F.A. core (12 CH)
• THEA 419: Technical Direction (3 CH)
• Design & Production Classes (select 2 of 3) (6 CH)
  • THEA 407: Scene Design
  • THEA 414: Costume Design
  • THEA 418: Lighting Design
• THEA 510: Production Design Seminar (6 CH)*
• THEA 516: Advanced Theater Design & Production (2-8 CH) (may be taken 4 semesters)
• THEA 520A: Period Style Theater I (3 CH)
• THEA 520B: Period Style Theater II (3 CH)
• Electives (by advisement) (19 CH)
• *THEA 510 is to be taken every semester in residence. Students who complete the program in fewer semesters must make sure degree courses total 60 credit hours.

     Total: 60 credit hours

Playwriting

• M.F.A. core (12 CH)
• 400- or 500-level Theater History courses by advisement (6 CH)*
• THEA 503: New Play Development (18 CH)
• THEA 504A: Performing Justice/Theory (3 CH)
• THEA 504B: Performing Resistance (3 CH)
• THEA 511A: Playwriting I (3 CH)
• THEA 511B: Playwriting II (3 CH)
• Electives (by advisements) (12 CH)**

     Total: 60 credit hours

*Any two of these Theater History courses must be taken in year 1 or 2 by advisement:

• THEA 450: Topical Seminar
• THEA 454: American Theater
• THEA 460: Black Theater
• THEA 525: Contemporary Experiments in Drama
• THEA 550: Topical Seminar may apply depending on the topic (may be repeated)

Certain other Theater, English or Communication Studies courses may apply with permission.

**THEA 402 (Directing Studio) must be taken in the first two years unless playwrights already have directing experience.

Besides the core requirements, the students will propose and successfully complete a project to qualify for further study in their chosen area. This project will include a research component in conjunction with a realized practical project.

Thesis requirements vary for each area of study; however, they include a research component as well as a description and evaluation of the student's creative project.

The School of Theater and Dance requires an oral examination, conducted by the student's thesis committee, for each M.F.A. in Theater candidate. The examination covers the thesis or dissertation, and may include questions designed to ascertain the student's general competence in theater.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Communication Studies

The School of Theater and Dance offers a program of study in Theater History and Playwriting under the administration of the School of Communication Studies leading to a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Communication Studies.

Admission

To apply a student must fill out the online application for Admission to Graduate Study in Communication Studies. Applicants for graduate studies in theater must satisfy the minimum requirements of the Graduate School before being admitted to the program. The application includes a statement of purpose, transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework together with three (3) letters of recommendation from former teachers or supervisors.

There is a $65 nonrefundable application fee payable on-line or by check made out to SIU.

Additionally, prospective students must submit materials that are representative of their previous theater work and/or indicate an aptitude for work in their chosen field of study. Applicants to Theater History must include several critical research essays. Applicants to the playwriting area must submit approximately two- to two-and-a-half hours of written material consisting of one full-length play and/or several significant short pieces. All prospective students should include a sample of their research writing. Video tapes/DVDs or websites are acceptable digital materials.

More information for prospective and current students is available at the School of Theater and Dance website and the School of Communication Studies.

A student must take 51 credit hours of course work beyond the Master's degree, 24 credit hours of which must be in Theater, 18 credit hours in Communication Studies, and nine credit hours in methodology (tool) courses. In addition 24 credit hours of dissertation work are required for the Ph.D. degree. Course work outside the program must be germane to one of the program curriculum areas for the purposes of examination and dissertation research. Throughout the program of study, the student must maintain a 3.00 grade point average in all work taken. If the grade point average drops below the minimum, the student is placed on academic warning for the following two semesters. During the last half of the second semester of course work, the student's progress shall be reviewed by the advisory committee to determine continuation, change, or termination of the program. The advisory committee for each student shall be responsible for assembling the necessary information (grades, recommendations, progress in curriculum areas, etc.) for consideration in reaching the above decision.

Advisory Committee

A three (3) person advisory committee shall be established no later than the beginning of the second semester of graduate study to plan the program of study with each student. The chair of the committee shall act as the primary adviser and sign the graduate course request form. This advisory committee is responsible for certifying to the graduate director that the student has met all program requirements for admission to candidacy and has passed the Ph.D. preliminary examination.

Students selecting Theater as a curriculum concentration must take the following:

• Communication Studies Theater Concentration, 18 credit hours (must include):
  • CMST 501: Introduction to Communication Research (3 CH)
  • CMST 510: Rhetoric Theory Seminar (3 CH)
• Theater 24 credit hours (must include):
  • THEA 501: Avant Garde & Performance (3 CH)
  • THEA 504A: Performing Justice/Theory (3 CH)
  • THEA 504B: Performing Resistance (3 CH)
• Dissertation, 24 credit hours

Total 75 credit hours

Preliminary Examination

The student must pass a preliminary examination on their program of study. The preparation and administration of the examination are determined by the advisory committee in consultation with the student. The examination is taken at the end of the course work.

Dissertation

Each student must register for at least 24 credit hours of dissertation credit in THEA 600. The dissertation director shall, upon consultation with the student, be responsible for setting up a dissertation committee, supervising the dissertation, and administering the final oral examination. The dissertation committee shall approve the dissertation prospectus and pass upon the completed dissertation and oral examination.

The Graduate School requires students who have not completed their dissertation to enroll in THEA 601 Continuing Enrollment until they complete the dissertation or withdraw from the program. Students who do not register for this class will be charged for all semesters before they may graduate.

Students are required to submit an electronic copy of the dissertation to the Graduate School and one bound copy to the School of Theater and Dance.