Theatre Arts (MFA)

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts (TA MFA)
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (GA)
Department: Fine Arts
Program Webpage

Program Information

The Theatre Arts department fosters creativity, collaboration, discipline, and artistry. It embraces the theatre as a means of creative expression, cultural understanding, and social development. All students are exposed to the diversity of multicultural theatre. The African American Theatre Program, founded in 1993, is integral to the department.

In addition to the MFA in Theatre Arts, a Graduate Certificate in African American Theatre also is offered. 

Admission Requirements

  • Evidence of a Bachelor’s Degree and 2.75 cumulative grade point average (GPA).
  • Audition at the University of Louisville or at a regional or national conference site
  • Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
  • General Test score on the Graduate Record Examination
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • Writing Sample
  • Department committee reviews application materials and makes a recommendation to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies
  • All applicants are automatically considered for Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships that include full tuition, stipend, and health insurance for the academic year (August–May).

Program Requirements

MFA Candidates must complete the following course requirements. Students are paired with a faculty advisor and graduate committee to review their progress at the end of each semester, evaluating coursework, professionalism, performance projects, and any GTA responsibilities.

Performance Courses42
TA 624
Graduate Acting I-V (6 semesters, 3 credits each)
TA 622
Graduate Movement I-IV (4 semesters, 3 credits each)
TA 623
Graduate Voice I-IV (4 semesters, 3 credits each)
TA 529
Actors Theatre of Louisville Workshop
Academic Courses12
TA 571
Playscript Interpretation - WR
TA 555
Special Topics in Theatre (Tools for Multicultural Theatre)
TA 620
Performance Theory
TA 664
Approaching African-American Theatre
Related Coursework8
TA 610
Introduction to Graduate Study in Theatre
TA 611
Theatre Pedagogy
TA 654
Independent Study in Community Service
Elective (at the 600+ level, outside of Theatre Arts, minimum 3 credits)
Performance Projects10
TA 625
MFA Performance Project I
TA 626
Thesis Performance
TA 600
Thesis Guidance
Minimum Total Hours72