Theatre, M.A.

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The Master of Arts Program in Theatre at Bowling Green State University is designed to provide students with fundamentals essential for the development of independent thought and expression, ingredients necessary for creative scholarship and artistry in the theater. Students are afforded a basic understanding of theatre and performance history, theory, criticism, and research methods and their application to practical work in theatre. Students may pursue one of two courses of study: the M.A. Thesis Track (i.e., Plan I), or the M.A. Portfolio Track (i.e., Plan II).

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master’s degree, students in the Theatre program are expected to be able to:

Analyze diverse performance texts from various historical periods and cultural backgrounds.
Demonstrate fluency in the theories, criticisms, and research methodologies in the interdisciplinary fields of theatre and performance.
Use performance as the site and process for critical, cultural, and historical understandings.
Develop skills in theatre design and technologies.
Develop the ability to collaborate in theatre production as a dramaturg, actor, director, designer and/or technician.
Communicate and present knowledge as a scholar-artist-citizen in professional formats.
Develop teaching skills
Develop and carry out advanced scholarly and creative research.

Admission Requirements

Documents required:

Submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Exam
Three Letters of Recommendation
Professional Resume
Statement of Purpose
Writing Sample

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

Required Courses (21 credits)

THFM 6590 - Research Methods in Theatre and Performance Studies
History & Literature/Theory/Criticism (2 courses). Select from:
THFM 6600 - Theatre/Performance in Cultural Contexts I
THFM 6610 - Theatre/Performance in Cultural Contexts II
THFM 6620 - Theories of Theatre and Performance
THFM 6700 - Performance and Theatre in the Americas
THFM 6630 - Introduction to Performance Studies
Performance Studies/Practice (2 courses). Select from:
THFM 6640 - Directing Practice
THFM 6670 - Staging Image and Text
THFM 6680 - Performance Studies
THFM 6690 - Theatre for Young Audiences
THFM 6710 - Theatre Organization and Management
THFM 6820 - Performance Theory and Practice
Design & Technical Theatre (2 courses). Select from:
THFM 5720 - Scene Design
THFM 5730 - Costume Design
THFM 5740 - Lighting Design
THFM 5750 - Scene Painting
THFM 5760 - Styles of Rendering for Theatre and Film

Electives (6 credits)

Supplemental Coursework (2 courses). Select From: Courses offered in the Department of Theatre and Film or Upon prior approval by the Graduate Coordinator, students may take courses from other departments.

Culminating Experience (3 credits)

Plan I:
THFM 6990 - Thesis Research
Plan II:
THFM 6910 - Directed Research in Portfolio Development

Minimum Total Credits (30 credits)

Additional Requirements

Minimum of 3 credits of 6990 required for Plan I master’s students. Maximum of 6 credits may be applied toward degree requirements.
Minimum 3.0 graduate cumulative grade point average
Minimum of 18 credits must be at the 6000-level or higher
Minimum of 24 credits must be earned at BGSU
All requirements must be completed within six years from the end of the earliest course used to fulfill degree requirements.