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Technical Direction

M.F.A. in Theatre

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Program Overview

Our Master of Fine Arts in Theatre is a three-year program providing professional training through a personalized tutorial-based curriculum. Ours is a small specialized professional training program. The work is based in actual production experience.

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Why choose this program?

  • Modern design challenges require a creative approach.  Having a firm knowledge of traditional and fundamental methods and skills, builds a base from which to be creative and innovative
  • The program emphasizes the development of: Skills in the Field of Technical Theatre and Scenery Construction Skills in Managing and Collaborating Efficient and Creative Problem Solving

What You'll Study

To complete the degree, successful completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours is required. The program is designed to be completed in three years. The program is highly individualized. Each student admitted will work with one primary advisor in a one-on-one studio environment over the three-year period. 

  • Skills in the Field of Technical Theatre and Scenery Construction
  • Skills in Managing and Collaborating
  • Efficient and Creative Problem Solving

This is a Structured Program that Encourages Individualized Study

  • Each student admitted will work with one primary advisor in a one-on-one studio environment over the three-year period.
  • Fundamental knowledge of technical theatre is broadened through a structure of core courses and studios.
  • An individualized Plan of Study, designed to meet the needs of each student, is developed to merge individual deficiencies, interests, and goals that progress toward the degree.
  • Experiential learning is achieved by applying studio and class study to work done on productions, projects, and labs.
  • The primary advisor mentors the progress of the student through the program, and guides the development of the student's overarching goals and curricular needs.
  • Each student participates in a required review with graduate committee members at the end of each semester of enrollment to evaluate work done, assess progress, and plan future projects and experiences.
  • Each student will conduct an internship of their choice during one semester in their third year within an outside organization that emphasizes on preparing the student for the field and focuses in an area relevant to the student’s Plan of Study.
  • During the third and final year, each student will produce a thesis, or project and report, as an achievement that serves as a capstone to the Plan of Study and a final assessment toward the degree.

Course topics include:

  • Production Process
  • Budgeting and Planning
  • Video Projections
  • Drafting Standards and AutoCAD
  • Theatrical Rigging
  • Structural Design
  • Mechanical Design and Physics
  • Electricity
  • Automation
  • Theatre Planning
  • Minimum GPA 3.0 (4 Scale)
  • TOEFL/ IELTS score required  (if applicable)

Learn more 

Our program in MFA in Theatre has a limited number of graduate assistantships and fellowships available for students applying for full time study on the Blacksburg campus. Entering students can apply for such funding as part of their admissions application. No separate application required. Generally, All accepted students receive an assistantship and full tuition waiver.

Find out what loans are available as a graduate student and other opportunities.

Deadline: Jan 15 for consideration for funding

Chris Russo, Technical Direction Area Coordinator
303 Henderson Hall
540-231-0799
crusso@vt.edu

Laura Copenhaver, Technical Direction Director
540-231-5335
lcopenhaver@vt.edu

Questions?

Laura Copenhaver, Technical Direction Program Leader
303 Henderson Hall
540-231-5335 
lcopenhaver@vt.edu