Theatre Arts MA, Theatre Production Specialization

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Theatre Production
The theatre production specialization is specifically designed for the working teacher who produces plays and would like to obtain an advanced degree through hands-on courses.

This program is specifically designed around the students work schedule with courses offered annually in July and a culminating project at the home school. The option of completing part of the course work during the academic year to complete the degree in a more expedited manner is also an option of qualified students. 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. Introductory courses are delivered online during the term prior to the summer session in which the student has been admitted.

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

Admission Requirements

Theatre Production Specialization
Incoming candidates are expected to meet both the requirements for admission to the CWU School of Graduate Studies and the following program requirements:

Two years of teaching experience or two years of professional theatre experience earned in preparation for teaching
If the candidate does not hold a bachelor’s degree in theatre - a conditional admission will be extended and reviewed after the first year of study.

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.

Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Demonstrate successful theatre practice and in meeting endorsement standards for Washington state, both in in theoretical discussion and as they produce their culminating project.
Articulate the various theatre genres and apply each genre to specific works
Critically analyze their own work and the work of their peers as it relates to individual students’ local situations.
Critical thinkers with the ability to incorporate theatre practice into immediate productions and continue life-long learning.

Theatre Arts MA Core

Required Core

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 4 credits.)

Total Required Core Credits: 13

Theatre Production Specialization

The theatre production specialization is designed to prepare teachers to teach and produce theatre. Courses include the study of theatre technology, acting and movement skills, literature and theory, in the context of theatre history, supervised practice in directing plays, musicals, and pedagogical theory.

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 will be required to register for thesis credits during the academic year. Residency requirement for this program is fulfilled over three summers.

Program Requirements
A minimum of 45 credits is required for the theatre production specialization. The creative project (thesis) required is a full production of a play or musical at an approved outside venue - usually the candidate’s school, 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 venue. An oral examination and defense of the creative project (thesis) is required and is scheduled the quarter following the realized project. The oral exam/project defense can be held on campus or via electronic conferencing through a committee-approved provider such as Skype or Google Hangout.

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.

Theatre Endorsement in Washington State
Meeting the 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 - this is documented by successful completion of all Theatre Production program requirements, or evaluations, creative project and oral examination - and successfully pass the WEST-E examination. The Praxis or equivalent test may be required to complete certification in other states.

In addition to the MA Theatre core of 13 credits, the student must complete the following:

Required Courses

TH 502 - Introduction to the Creative Project Credits: (1)
TH 523 - Introduction to Theatre Pedagogy Credits: (3)
TH 536 - Stage Movement Credits: (3)
TH 540 - Contemporary Directing Credits: (3)
TH 541 - Styles in Acting and Directing Credits: (3)
TH 542 - Musical Theatre Directing Credits: (4)
TH 556 - Sound Methods Credits: (3)
TH 565 - Costume 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)

Total Required Courses Credits: 32

Total Credits: 45

College and Department Information

Theatre Arts Department
College of Arts and Humanities