Dramatic Arts (MFA)

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Length of program

Full-time: 24 months

Mode of delivery

In person

Program consists of:

  • Thesis
  • Coursework

Campus

Lethbridge

Intake

Fall

Related programs

Program description

The MFA Dramatic Arts program offers graduate students the opportunity to explore innovative approaches to theatre production and performance including traditional theatre disciplines, as well as interdisciplinary artistic projects. The expertise of faculty members within the Department includes design, performance, technical production, and theatre history. The Department produces a robust season of main stage productions, a student-run season of studio productions, and numerous other theatre events, supported by its outstanding theatre facilities, shops, and studios. Bolstered by prolific and nationally renowned fine arts and performance arts communities, the program offers students unique opportunities to contribute to the vibrant cultural life of the region.

Building on our reputation for excellent undergraduate education in the areas of design, performance, technical production, and theatre history/theory, the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Dramatic Arts offers students the opportunity to join a dynamic community of artists, designers, and scholars. The program’s limited enrollment provides high caliber students with exceptional opportunities to pursue excellence in an area of their interest, including traditional theatre disciplines, as well as innovative and interdisciplinary artistic projects. The MFA in Dramatic Arts degree is a two-year full-time studio program of applied and academic study. The University of Lethbridge is committed to providing competitive financial support to all graduate students.

Located in the U of L Centre for the Arts, the Department of Drama produces a robust season of mainstage productions, a student-run season of studio productions, and numerous other theatre events. The Department’s activities are supported by its outstanding theatre facilities, shops, and studios.

  • University Theatre – 450-seat proscenium theatre
  • David Spinks Theatre – multi-configurable black box
  • Performance lab, rehearsal studios, greenroom, and dressing rooms
  • Scenic, lighting, and costume design studios
  • Scene shop with industrial, power, and hand tools
  • Properties shop for props design and construction
  • Costume labs
  • Dye and craft room
  • Electrics area
  • Sound recording studio

The program supports areas of study in a range of creative practices including:

  • Design
  • Performance
  • Technical Production
  • Playwriting

Program of Study

During the first year of the M.F.A. program, students complete course work. In the second year of the program, M.F.A. students focus on the research and production of the Thesis. The required courses for each M.F.A. - Theatre and Dramatic Arts majors are:

  • Drama 5148 - Graduate Studio I (6.0 credit hours)
  • Drama 5149 - Graduate Studio II (6.0 credit hours)
  • Fine Arts 5020 - Information Literacy for the Fine Arts (3.0 credit hours)
  • One of: Drama 5150 - Graduate Theatre Studies (Series) (3.0 credit hours)
  • Drama 5211 - Graduate Seminar in Theories of Theatre (3.0 credit hours)
  • Two electives at the 5000 level (6.0 credit hours)

Questions?
Faculty Profiles and directory.

Finding a supervisor

Applicants to the MFA do not need to find a supervisor in advance of applying. Supervisors are not identified until after an application has been assessed by the departmental graduate education committee. Applicants can contact available faculty to discuss supervision prior to application, but it is not a requirement of the application.