Master of Arts - Theatre Arts

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Department Information
Students must choose one of two specializations: theatre production or theatre studies.

Theatre Studies
The theatre studies specialization is specifically designed for students with career goals in dramaturgy, teaching in higher education, or pursuing a PhD in theatre history, research, literature, or criticism. The program is designed to build the research and analytical skills needed for an academic career in theatre. This Resident Program focuses on the dramaturgical aspects of production, as well as individual scholarly interests related to theatre arts. With opportunities to both teach and undertake research projects in theatre, this program offers the perfect blend of pedagogy and theory needed to prepare students for careers as theatre scholars.
A limited number of teaching or research assistantships are available to qualified candidates for the academic year. Out-of-state tuition waivers are also available to qualified candidates.

Theatre Production
The theatre production specialization is specifically designed for the working middle and secondary school teacher who produces plays and would like to obtain an advanced degree through hands-on courses in a program offered entirely during the summer months, within the context of the Summer Institute for Theatre Arts.

This program is specifically designed around the students work schedule with courses offered annually from late-June to late-July and a culminating project at the home school. Since it was established in 1996, teachers representing 27 states and 12 nations have attended this unique limited-residency graduate program. Students join more than 45 other students each summer learning new skills to take back to the classroom and networking with other theatre artists and educators.

Most graduate courses supporting the theatre production specialization are offered over three summer sessions through the Summer Institute for Theatre Arts. Many are intensive workshops and meet from three to five hours per day. Most candidates can complete approximately 17 credits per summer. Qualified students in the institute may enroll in the master’s degree courses if room permits, and master’s candidates enroll in selected courses from the institute listings.

Housing for summer institute participants is available in nearby university accommodations.

Admission Requirements
Theatre Studies Specialization
Incoming candidates are expected to meet both the requirements for admission to the graduate programs at Central and the following requirements:

A writing sample, preferably in the discipline, of at least five pages.
Permission of the faculty, which may include prerequisite or background courses.

The GRE is required for admission to this specialization and a foreign language is required as a graduation requirement.

Theatre Production Specialization
Incoming candidates are expected to meet both the requirements for admission to the graduate programs at Central and the following program requirements:

Two years of teaching experience or two years of professional theatre experience earned in preparation for teaching
Permission of the faculty, which may include prerequisite or background courses
If the candidate does not hold a bachelor’s degree in theatre - including one academic year in theatre history and/or history prerequisite or background courses may often be taken in the Summer Institute for Theatre Arts. An assessment entry exam is required and is taken shortly after classes begin.

Neither the GRE nor a foreign language is required for the theatre production specialization.

Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of teaching or research assistantships are available to qualified candidates for the academic year. Assistantships are appointed by the dean of Graduate Studies and Research upon recommendation of the department chair. No assistantship covers summer programs.

Assistantship applications must be completed by February 16 in order to insure full consideration; applicants should submit all materials required by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. Contact them at (509) 963-3101 to request application materials or visit www.cwu.edu/masters.

MA in Theatre Arts Core

Students must choose either the Theatre Studies or Theatre Production Specialization to complete degree requirements.

Required Core Courses Credits: 12

TH 501 - Introduction to Graduate Studies Credits: (1)
TH 510 - Theatre Literature, Theory and Criticism I Credits: (4)
TH 511 - Theatre Literature, Theory and Criticism II Credits: (4)
TH 700 - Master’s Thesis Project Credits: (1-6)
Must be taken for 3 credits.

Theatre Studies Specialization

The theatre studies specialization is designed to build the research and analytical skills students will need for academic careers in theatre.
Through opportunities for hands-on dramaturgical experience, teaching, and theatre research, this program offers the perfect blend of theory and practice needed to prepare students for entry into PhD programs, begin teaching careers, and/or professional theatre dramaturgical positions for which they are well qualified.

The program is offered entirely during the academic year requiring a minimum two academic year residency or equivalent.

Program Requirements
A minimum of 45 credits is required for the theatre studies specialization. Thesis credits are included in the minimum. An oral examination and defense of the thesis is required.

Theatre Studies Specialization required courses

In addition to the MA core of 12 course credits, student must complete the following:

Component 1: Research and History

TH 505 - Research Methods Credits: (2)
TH 525 - Theatre History Ancients-Renaissance Credits: (3)
TH 526 - Theatre History Renaissance-Modernism Credits: (3)
TH 527 - Theatre History Modernism-Contemporary Credits: (3)
TH 700 - Master’s Thesis Project Credits: (1-6)
(In addition to the 3 credits in the core for a total of 6 credits.)

Component 2: Dramatic Literature

Select a minimum of 10 credits from the following:

TH 512 - Studies in Gender Issues Credits: (5)
TH 513 - Studies in World Drama Credits: (5)
TH 514 - Studies in Asian Drama Credits: (5)
TH 515 - Studies in Ethnic Drama Credits: (5)
TH 516 - Studies in Classical Drama Credits: (5)
TH 517 - Studies in Medieval Drama Credits: (5)
TH 518 - Studies in Early Modern Drama Credits: (5)
TH 519 - Studies in Drama and the State Credits: (5)
TH 598 - Special Topics Credits: (1-6)
TH 599 - Seminar Credits: (1-5)

Component 3: Focal Area

Select a minimum of 9 credits of the following:

TH 540 - Graduate Directing I Credits: (3)
TH 541 - Graduate Directing II Credits: (3)
TH 587 - Theatre Pedagogy Credits: (4)
TH 588 - Dramaturgy Credits: (3)
TH 589 - International Applied Studies Credits: (1-6)
TH 593 - Dramaturgical Practicum Credits: (1-3)
TH 599 - Seminar Credits: (1-5)

Component 4: Foreign Language

In order to place students in the best position possible for entry into nationally recognized PhD programs, a minimum of two years of at least one foreign language at the undergraduate level with a minimum grade of B or better in all terms is required. This may be completed prior to admission or while enrolled in the Theatre Studies Program.

Total Credits: 45

Theatre Production Specialization

The theatre production specialization is designed to prepare English and drama teachers to teach and produce theatre in the secondary and middle schools. Courses are designed specifically for the secondary-school setting and include study in stage technology, teaching acting skills, acquiring basic learning in dramatic literature and history, supervised practice in directing plays and musicals, compiling classroom activities, and creating a curriculum for drama program development.

The program is offered almost entirely in the summer months within the context of the Summer Institute for Theatre Arts. Some graduate study is available during the regular school year. It should be noted that students may find it necessary to register for thesis credits during the academic year. Residency requirement for this program is fulfilled over three summers.

Program Requirements
A minimum of 49 credits is required for the theatre production specialization. Creative project (thesis) credits may be included in the minimum. A pre-thesis capstone course is required to move on to the final creative project (thesis). The capstone course may be attempted only two times. The creative project (thesis) required is a full production of a play or musical at an approved outside venue - usually the candidate’s high school, or an approved process drama project both with written documentation, director’s book, and video submitted to the department. The candidate’s graduate committee which consists of three faculty members selected by the candidate, will select a member, usually the chair, who will view the production in performance at the candidate’s local venue. An oral examination and defense of the creative project (thesis) is required.

A maximum of 15 graduate credits earned within the previous four years at CWU may be applied to the program. The department and the university reserve the right to determine the acceptability of other transfer credit from any institution; a maximum of 9 credits can be accepted from other institutions. Prerequisites required for admission to the program may not be applied to the total required credit for graduation.

Theatre Production Specialization required courses:

In addition to the MA Theatre core of 12 credits, student must complete the following:

Required Courses

TH 502 - Introduction to the Creative Project Credits: (1)
TH 521 - Integrating Drama into the Curriculum and Program Development Credits: (4)
TH 536 - Advanced Stage Movement Credits: (3)
TH 540 - Graduate Directing I Credits: (3)
TH 541 - Graduate Directing II Credits: (3)
TH 542 - Musical Theatre Directing Credits: (4)
TH 544 - Acting Styles Application Credits: (3)
TH 565 - Costuming Methods Credits: (3)
TH 566 - Mask and Makeup Methods Credits: (3)
TH 568 - Lighting Methods Credits: (3)
TH 571 - Design Methodology Credits: (3)
TH 583 - Scenic and Property Methods Credits: (3)
TH 600 - Capstone Practicum Credits: (1)
Must be passed in order to move on to final creative project (thesis).

Total Credits: 49

Note: The meeting of state standards, under department advisement, is required to fulfill the theatre endorsement in Washington State. To earn the Washington State endorsement in Theatre the candidate must successfully complete all the standards set forth by the state and successfully pass the WEST-E examination. The Praxis test may be required to complete certification in other states.