Theatre Arts, M.A.
Master of Arts
About this program
The Master of Arts in Theatre Arts lets you deepen your understanding of theatre through advanced study in history, literature, theory, and practice. You’ll explore global performance traditions and develop research, writing, and creative skills. This program prepares you for teaching, directing, dramaturgy, or further graduate study. It’s designed for those who want to engage with theatre as both scholars and artists.
Program Curriculum and Requirements
Program Scope
The School of Theatre and Dance offers a Master of Arts degree program that focuses on theatre history, theory, and dramatic literature. The program encourages students to engage critically with how theatre and performance (broadly construed) shape culture and identity across time and place. Students are also encouraged to make connections across other disciplines to expand their perspectives and deepen interdisciplinary theoretical approaches. The MA in Theatre Arts prepares graduate students for further study in a doctoral program, for those who wish to pursue an MFA, and for students who wish to further their knowledge and expertise within the Theatre Arts.
The Master of Arts in Theatre Arts provides training for students wishing to expand their knowledge and increase their competence in the fields of theatre history, dramatic literature, historiography, dramaturgy, theatre pedagogy, critical theory, cultural studies, mediated performances, and theories of theatre and performance.
Applicants to the two-year M.A. or to the blended B.A. + M.A. Scholars Program must meet University and School requirements. Admission to both programs is based on an evaluation of a student’s academic work, practical experience, and their promise towards finishing a graduate degree.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of Theatrical History.
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of Theatrical Literature.
- Demonstrate facility with current practice of Literary Criticism in the theatrical context.
- Demonstrate deep knowledge of the confluence of theory and practice in the theatrical art.
- Demonstrate ability to propose and defend interpretations and commentaries with superior writing skills.
- Demonstrate ability to focus skills and competencies in a specialized area of interest and study.
Admissions Information
The School of Theatre and Dance welcomes applications from students with a wide range of experiences and diversity of undergraduate education. Some theatrical or performance foundation can be helpful but is not necessary for admission to the program. We encourage prospective students with interdisciplinary backgrounds to apply to our MA in Theatre Arts.
Program Materials
CalApply will request the following Program Materials. These are the documents that the School of Theatre and Dance will use to review your application.
Statement of Purpose (500 word max)
Explain your experience, interests, and goals as a graduate student in theatre and performance studies. Your statement of purpose could provide details addressing the following topics (but may not need to address every bullet point):
- Specify any particular theatrical interests you have. This may include: performance, theatre history and scholarship, design, directing, dramaturgy, etc.
- Describe any research interests you may have, such as particular genres, time periods, methods, and/or theoretical models of theatre and performance.
- Describe the parts of your academic and extracurricular experience (e.g., industry, professional theatrical work, etc.) that have best prepared you to undertake graduate-level work in theatre.
- If you have any particular ideas for a culminating project, you can describe those.
- List what you are hoping to do after completion of the MA. What is it that the MA will bring to you that will prepare you for your academic and career goals?
Two Letters of Recommendation
Ask two people with knowledge of your abilities, achievements and character to write letters in support of your application. People you might consider include previous teachers, artistic collaborators, colleagues, advisors/mentors, etc. CalApply will prompt you to enter details about your evaluators. All letter writer email addresses should be from a professional or academic organizations (ex. @sfsu.edu, @CA.gov or @ibm.com), not personal email addresses. Once contact information is submitted, an email request will automatically be sent to the evaluator on your behalf. Please advise your evaluator to look for this email in their inbox, as well as their spam or junk-mail folder, as emails do occasionally get filtered out.
Writing Sample
Provide a short essay which most clearly shows your ability to communicate in written form. This essay should be an analytical essay, rather than an excerpt from creative work. Your writing sample can be a complete essay or an excerpt from a larger academic work, but should be no longer than 10 pages.
Transcripts
The Division of Graduate Studies requires you to upload unofficial copies of transcripts from every college or university attended, including study abroad and community college coursework. If selected for admission, you must submit official transcripts to the division of graduate studies in order to secure your admission offer.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
We do not require GRE scores for admission to the Theatre Arts MA program.
The Department accepts applications for fall and spring admission. Typically, applications are due by April 1st (Fall) and November 1st (Spring).
Ready to apply? Visit the Graduate Students page to get started.
We’re Here to Help
Questions about the program or how to apply? Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Vicki Hoskins
- Assistant Professor