Doctor of Audiology
USD's Au.D. program is a comprehensive four-year post-baccalaureate curriculum that...
M.F.A. in Theatre
Vermillion, South Dakota
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
USD's M.F.A. in Theatre offers specialized areas of study, primarily focusing on Directing and Design/Theatre Technology (with emphases in costume design, light and sound design, scenic design, or technical direction). The program is known for its individualized instruction and hands-on, practical approach, allowing students to hone their skills at an advanced level. It's ideal for those seeking to become successful theatre professionals or post-secondary professors, aiming to develop leaders who can create life-changing performances. The program duration is typically three years, and it is recognized as one of the top MFA theatre programs in the nation by American Theatre.
Curriculum: The curriculum is structured to provide both theoretical and practical training within the chosen specialization. For Directing students, coursework includes advanced studies in directing, performance, stage management, script analysis, and voice dynamics, with ample opportunities to direct various productions, including potentially a mainstage production as a culminating project. Design/Theatre Technology students take upper-level courses in design/technical theatre, contemporary drama, script analysis and dramaturgy, theatrical rendering, and specialized design areas (scenic, costume, lighting). Both specializations emphasize developing strong skills in text analysis, interpersonal communication, and effective storytelling, alongside a broad knowledge of theatre history and its companion arts.
Research Focus: While the M.F.A. is a terminal degree focused on artistic practice, the program encourages a deep intellectual engagement with theatre. The "research" aspect is often embedded in the practical application of theory, historical context, and critical analysis within performance and design. For example, directing students engage in an "inquiry into each student's core artistic values" and develop their own directorial paths based on ensemble practices and theatre as a public forum. Design students are trained to think critically to solve problems in all parts of a production, drawing on their understanding of art and theatrical design history. The program's faculty actively engage in scholarship and bring diverse approaches to theatre creation, enriching the student's understanding of the field.
Industry Engagement: USD's M.F.A. in Theatre strongly emphasizes real-world, professional experience. Students frequently secure professional internships across the country, providing invaluable hands-on learning and networking opportunities. The program's ties to the Black Hills Playhouse, a division of the University of South Dakota College of Fine Arts and a regional theatre, offer direct production experience. Additionally, the Student Theatre Cooperative (STC), an independent student organization, provides opportunities for students to develop leadership, management, and production skills through producing original and cutting-edge theatre. Faculty members often have professional backgrounds, bringing industry insights into the classroom and connecting students with alumni who have achieved success in professional theatre and higher education.
Global Perspective: The M.F.A. in Theatre at USD fosters a global perspective by grounding its curriculum in the rich history of theatre, which spans diverse cultures and centuries, from ancient Greece to modern and contemporary global theatre. Students are encouraged to develop an understanding of how the present and the past intersect, helping them discover common threads that link human experience across different cultures. While specific international travel components are not explicitly highlighted, the program's focus on diverse theatrical styles and the universal aspects of storytelling prepares graduates to engage with and contribute to the global theatre community, whether through performance, design, or scholarship. The broad knowledge gained allows graduates to appreciate and interpret theatre in various cultural contexts.
Location
Vermillion, South Dakota
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 12800
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $38
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of South Dakota (USD) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and make quality education at USD more accessible to talented students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: USD awards merit-based scholarships to international students based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and extracurricular involvement. These scholarships recognize outstanding high school or previous college performance and are renewable for multiple years, provided students maintain satisfactory academic progress.
International Student Academic Scholarships: These scholarships are specifically tailored for international undergraduate students and can cover a significant portion of tuition fees. Eligibility is typically based on a combination of academic excellence and the completion of the admission process by specified deadlines. Many of these scholarships are automatically considered upon application, so no separate application is required.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships: For international graduate students, USD provides graduate assistantships and fellowships that offer financial support alongside valuable professional experience. These opportunities often include tuition waivers and a stipend in exchange for research, teaching, or administrative work within the university.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain USD academic departments and colleges offer specialized scholarships for international students pursuing specific fields of study, such as business, health sciences, or fine arts. These scholarships often reward exceptional talent and dedication within those disciplines.
Graduates of the University of South Dakota's (USD) M.F.A. in Theatre are equipped with highly specialized skills in areas like directing, design, and theatre technology, along with a deep understanding of theatrical history, theory, and critical analysis. This rigorous training prepares them for diverse and demanding roles within the performing arts and related fields. The M.F.A. is considered a terminal degree in the fine arts, often qualifying graduates to teach at the university level.
University/College Professor (Theatre Arts): This is a primary career path for M.F.A. graduates, who are qualified to teach acting, directing, design, theatre history, dramatic literature, or technical theatre at undergraduate and graduate levels in colleges and universities.
Professional Director: M.F.A. graduates with a directing specialization are prepared to lead theatrical productions in regional theatres, touring companies, and independent theatre groups, responsible for the artistic vision and execution of a play.
Scenic Designer: Specializing in theatre design and technology, Scenic Designers create the visual environment for theatrical productions, including sets, props, and stage elements, translating script requirements into tangible designs.
Costume Designer: Costume Designers are responsible for creating the costumes worn by performers, developing designs that reflect character, period, and directorial vision, and overseeing their construction and fitting.
Lighting Designer: Lighting Designers create the illumination for a production, manipulating light to enhance mood, highlight actors, and define space, often working closely with directors and other designers.
Sound Designer: Sound Designers create and integrate all auditory elements of a production, including music, sound effects, and atmospheric sounds, to support the narrative and emotional impact of the play.
Technical Director: Technical Directors oversee the technical aspects of theatrical productions, ensuring that the scenic, lighting, and sound designs are safely and efficiently implemented. They manage budgets, schedules, and crews.
Arts Administrator/Theatre Manager: These professionals manage the operational and financial aspects of theatre companies, arts organizations, or performing arts venues. They handle budgeting, fundraising, marketing, and facility management.
Stage Manager: Essential to any production, Stage Managers oversee all aspects of a play from rehearsals to performance, ensuring smooth operations, coordinating all technical cues, and managing the cast and crew.
Playwright/Dramaturg: While USD's MFA program focuses on directing and design, the deep engagement with script analysis and dramatic literature can prepare graduates to pursue careers as playwrights (creating original scripts) or dramaturgs (providing research, context, and literary support to a production or theatre company).
