“The true purpose of theatre is to create myths, to express life in its immense, universal aspect, and from that life to extract images in which we find pleasure in discovering ourselves.” Antonin Artaud.

The Master of Arts in theatre program offers advanced study in Theatre Scholarship (Research Methods, Theory and Criticism Seminars, and Theatre History and Literature), Performance (Acting and Directing), Design and Technology, and Management. The overall goal of the program is to help you develop a deeper understanding of your role as a theatre artist by studying and applying theory and criticism, history, and literature to your work as an actor, director, designer, dramaturg, or scholar. We emphasize the interaction between scholarship and production. All of our students work in multiple disciplines in preparation for PhD work or careers in professional, academic, or community theatres.

The program is broadly flexible and allows each student to design a plan of study that meets individual needs and goals. With four mainstage and additional student-directed productions each year, opportunities for applied work are considerable. As part of a metropolitan university, the University of Nebraska at Omaha has close ties to the theatres in Omaha including the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, the Omaha Community Playhouse, the Nebraska Theatre Caravan, the Blue Barn Theatre, the Omaha Theatre Company for Young People, and Opera Omaha. Credited Internships are available with area theatres.

Concentrations are available in Acting, Directing, Theatre History and Literature, and Design and Technology. A special concentration is available to those students wishing to focus on Theatre Management. The concentration combines study in regular theatre areas, Pubic Administration and on-site Internships with one of Omaha's many vibrant theatres. UNO's College of Public Affairs and Community Service is a partner in this special study, thus creating a vigorous interdisciplinary concentration for the management student.

An applicant for graduate study in theatre must present a minimum of 15 undergraduate semester hours with a" B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) average in appropriate courses or experience equivalent to undergraduate training in theatre. Applicants must submit a statement of intent, not to exceed three doublespaced typewritten pages explaining why they wish to pursue a Master of Arts in theatre. The statement of intent should also address the applicant's interest in an area of concentration. These statements are reviewed for quality of writing and the extent to which the applicant's goals are compatible with the strengths and interests of the threatre faculty and the stated objectives of the program. Background in costume, makeup, stagecraft, design, lighting, acting, directing, history, and literature must be demonstrated by transcript, by portfolio review, by further undergraduate coursework or by demonstrating proficiency. In order to begin a review of credentials, the student should contact the Graduate Program Committee Chair (phone 402-554-2552) for further information. Deficiencies will be determined by the Graduate Program Committee and ideally should be made up in the first year of study.

The department accepts the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) as well as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission. The graduate program in theatre is designed to insure that students are familiar with the field as a whole and that they can demonstrate master's-level competence through a thesis or final project and a written comprehensive examination at the conclusion of their course work.

All candidates are required to take three hours in research methods (THEA 8900 & 8910), nine hours of graduate seminars (THEA 8920, 8930, 8940, or 8950) and to complete one of the following plans of study:

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*At least one-half the hours of non-thesis course work in a plan of study should be in courses which are restricted to graduate students only (8--0 or 9--0).