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Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies

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theatre graduate program.

Mission

To ignite critical thinking, compassionate feeling, collaborative vision, and the capacity to delight in the student, teacher, and community.

“The true purpose of theatre is to create myths, to express life in its immense, universal aspect, and from that 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/Literature)
  • Performance (Acting and Directing)
  • Design/Technology, and
  • Theatre 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 following:

  • Nebraska Shakespeare Festival
  • Omaha Community Playhouse
  • Nebraska Theatre Caravan
  • Blue Barn Theatre
  • Omaha Theatre Company for Young People and
  • Opera Omaha

Credited Internships are available with area theatres.

Concentrations are available in Acting, Directing, Theatre History/Literature, Design/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.
  • online graduate application along with the application fee
  • One copy of official transcripts from all previously attended universities
  • Two letters of recommendations - Please provide the names and email addresses for your recommenders. (A Request form will be emailed to recommenders by UNO when you submit your online application.)
  • writing sample
  • submit a statement of purpose, not to exceed three double-spaced 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.
  • prove background in costume, makeup, stagecraft, design, lighting, acting, directing, history, and literature by transcript, portfolio review, further undergraduate coursework or demonstrating proficiency.

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.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The department accepts 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:

Option I - Thesis

Successful completion of at least 24 semester hours of course work including at least 12 hours in 8000-level courses*; plus a thesis (six credit hours) based on a proposal approved by the student's supervisory committee and defended orally before the committee when completed.

Option II - Thesis Equivalent Final Project

Successful completion of at least 30 semester hours of course work including at least 12 hours in 8000-level courses*; plus a Final Project (six credit hours) consisting of major responsibility in a production approved by the theatre faculty and the Graduate Program Committee in Theatre or an equivalent major effort in, for example, playwriting or a project of sufficient challenge and depth which is approved by the Theatre Graduate Program Committee. A final paper, portfolio, script or equivalent documentation will be assembled upon completion of the project and presented to the student's supervisory committee. The student will make an oral defense of the project before the committee.

Option III - Final Project

Successful completion of at least 33 semester hours of course work including at least 15 hours in 8000-level courses*; plus a Final Project (three credit hours) consisting of major responsibility in a production approved by the theatre faculty and the Graduate Program Committee in theatre or an equivalent major effort in, for example, playwriting or a project of sufficient challenge and depth which is approved by the theatre Graduate Program Committee. A final prompt book, journal, portfolio, script or equivalent documentation will be assembled upon completion of the project.

For more information

Students are directed to obtain a copy of the MA Program Guidelines from the department office or call (402) 554-2552, for more detailed information on the program process and requirements.

*At least one-half of 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).


last updated : 11/2/2011 at 4:00pm