M.A. in Drama

Program Overview

The M.A. in Drama at The Catholic University of America is a graduate-level program that offers advanced academic and professional training in various fields of drama and theatre. It is designed to cultivate a strong sense of history, theory, and practice, coupled with critical and creative skills. The program is flexible, allowing scholars to shape their studies based on individual interests, which can range from playwriting, directing, and children's theatre to technical theatre, theatre administration, theatre history, dramatic literature, and theatre in education. This interdisciplinary nature welcomes candidates from various humanities and social sciences backgrounds, as well as professionals seeking to advance their careers in theatre. Beyond theoretical teaching, the program provides intensive hands-on experiences to refine practical skills and understand the real-world dynamics of performing arts.

Curriculum: The M.A. in Drama program typically requires the satisfactory completion of 30 credit hours and passing a comprehensive examination. The curriculum includes a blend of theoretical and practical courses. For instance, the Theatre Education concentration requires 7 core courses and 3 electives, which may include courses like "History of Drama and Theatre in Education," "Process Drama in the Classroom," "Teaching Theatre," "Educational Theatre: Acting, Directing, and Producing," and "Western Theatre and Culture." Students also engage in a supervised project or independent study. Electives offer breadth across areas such as acting/directing workshops, audio drama, design applications, production design and management, playwriting, theatre theory, and dramaturgy. The program also offers a concentration in Theatre History and Criticism, though it was not accepting new students at a recent check, it focused on dramatic literature, theatre history, and theory. The program encourages a personalized approach to study, with advisors working closely with students to tailor course choices based on their background and objectives. Many courses are available online during the academic year and in the summer, offering flexibility.

Research Focus: The research focus within the M.A. in Drama program encourages critical inquiry into theatre history, theory, and practice. Students are expected to engage with primary sources, develop analytical skills, and contribute to the understanding of dramatic arts within their social and historical contexts. Faculty research interests are diverse, encompassing areas such as costume design and construction, stage lighting, scenic design, production design and management, drama in education, directing, playwriting, dramaturgy, and Shakespearean studies. The Theatre History and Criticism concentration, when active, specifically prepared students for advanced theatre studies and Ph.D. programs by focusing on the play within its social and historical context. Students often conduct research through written papers, scripts, design renderings, and reflective responses, culminating in a supervised project or thesis.

Industry Engagement: The Department of Drama at Catholic University strongly emphasizes industry engagement, particularly benefiting from its location in Washington, D.C., a vibrant theatre hub. The program encourages students to pursue internships at professional theatres in D.C., such as Arena Stage, Folger Shakespeare Theatre, and others, providing invaluable real-world experience and networking opportunities. The department aims to train students to collaborate with theatre professionals on mainstage productions and independent projects. Faculty members often have active professional careers as actors, directors, playwrights, and designers, bringing current industry practices and connections into the classroom. The Musical Theatre program, for example, highlights guest artists from the industry giving master classes and encourages juniors and seniors to audition for professional regional theatre, demonstrating a strong commitment to preparing students for direct professional work.

Global Perspective: The M.A. in Drama program incorporates a global perspective through its study of diverse theatrical traditions and cultures. Course offerings, such as "Asian Theatre" and "Western Theatre and Culture," broaden students' understanding of drama beyond a single geographical or cultural context. The exploration of theatre history and dramatic literature from various periods and regions inherently provides a global view of the performing arts. While the program benefits significantly from the D.C. theatre scene, the academic rigor and historical breadth prepare graduates to engage with theatre and dramatic arts on an international scale, understanding the universal and culturally specific aspects of performance.