The Theatre School’s Master of Fine Art (MFA) degree in Directing is a three-year program that allows directors to develop and explore their artistic vision and then apply their ideas through constant collaboration with other artists – actors, designers, dramaturgs. Coursework is focused on preparation – research, theory and analysis – as well as practical application through scene study, workshops and quarterly full-length directing assignments.
Students learn from a distinguished faculty of working professionals who possess a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise and who work with some of the most prolific and exciting theatre companies in Chicago.
Equally important to the training students receive in the classroom is the opportunity they have to synthesize that learning in the production process. Directing students complete one directing assistantship and direct a short play production in their first year, then direct up to six full-length productions in the second and third years of the program.
First Year. The focus of the first year is preparation and research. Directing students complete coursework in play analysis, dramatic theory, historical perspective and organizing ideas in order to collaborate with designers and actors. Students also explore period style and design elements through a survey of art, architecture, fashion and furniture. Directors also take a progression of improvisational acting and scene study course work in order to familiarize them with the acting approach and vocabulary of the school. Production work will include one assistant directing assignment with a faculty or guest artist in our public production season and a directing assignment in the MFA Directing Short-Play series.
Second Year. The second year is a laboratory approach to the rehearsal and collaboration process. Directing course work includes scene study and directing work with undergraduate acting students which is presented to faculty for discussion and criticism. Students also engage in a collaborative investigation of the production process with design and technical students. Production work will include three full-length directing assignments in our public Workshop Series production season.
Third Year. The primary focus of the third year is the thesis project produced in our New Directors Series production season. Students also work with playwriting students to develop new scripts in New Play Workshop and begin their transition into the professional theatre community with a professional internship. Students can also enhance their portfolio through elective coursework and will direct up to two more full-length productions in our public Workshop Series production season in addition to the thesis project.
New Directors Series. The New Directors Series is produced in the third year of the directing program and is a partial fulfillment of the directing thesis requirement. The Theatre School invites members of the Chicago theatre community to attend the New Directors Series as a way to showcase the work of the graduating directing students.
Evaluation. Continuation in the Directing Program from year to year is by invitation of the directing faculty. In addition to meeting the academic standards of the curriculum, professional potential, progress in the program, discipline, and collaboration are the criteria utilized in making decisions about advancement into subsequent years. In the first year, the quality of the spring quarter MFA Directing Short Play assignment is added to the criteria of the evaluation.
