Calendar 2005/2006

Location

Faculty number

(403) 220-5382

Fax

(403) 282-6925

E-mail address

smithwah@ucalgary.ca

Web page URL

http://drama.ffa.ucalgary.ca/index.shtml

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Specializations: Directing, Design/Technical, Playwriting, Theatre Studies

In addition to Faculty requirements, the Department requires:

(a)A baccalaureate degree that has clearly included a major emphasis in the study of drama with study at the undergraduate level in the proposed area of specialization. Deficiencies of background may be corrected during a year of study as a qualifying student;

(b)A written application including a biographical outline of the applicant's studies and experience in theatre and a statement of intent outlining proposed projects in the Department. When the applicant intends to study in the Design/Technical area, a portfolio of drawings and design work is required. Applicants to the Playwriting area must submit a portfolio of original creative writing. Applicants to the Theatre Studies area must submit samples of their written work.

The deadline for the submission of complete applications is 15 January for September admission.

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission.

In addition to Faculty requirements, the Department also specifies the following requirements:

All candidates must take a minimum of four full graduate courses, including Drama 605. All candidates must complete a thesis.

Courses required for specific areas are described below:

Directingcandidates must enrol in Drama 610 and Drama 648 in the first year.

Design/Technicalcandidates must enrol in at least four of the decimalized series that includes Drama 623, Drama 625, Drama 627 and Drama 629. Candidates must complete, to the satisfaction of an examining committee, a portfolio and an oral review relating to their design work at the completion of the first three full courses. Details concerning the portfolio and procedures to be followed in case of failure are on file in the Department of Drama office.

Playwritingcandidates must enrol in Drama 671 and Drama 673 in the first year. Drama 648 is also a required course.

Theatre Studiescandidates must enrol in Drama 648 in the first year.

For Directing candidates,the thesis will consist of the direction of a full-length play and a supporting paper that reflects critically on the production and on the process of its creation.

For Design/Technical candidates,the thesis will consist of the design of a full-length production in two of the following areas: scene design, costume design, light design, sound design. Technical Direction may serve as one of the areas. Pictorial material and a supporting paper that reflects critically upon the production and the process of its creation are also required.

For Playwriting candidates, the thesis will consist of a full-length play and a supporting paper that reflects critically on the play and the process of its creation.

For Theatre Studies candidates,the thesis will be a substantial scholarly research paper that may be informed by a creative performance project.

The Department of Drama may give credit for undergraduate courses at the 500-level at the discretion of the supervisor and graduate committee. No more than half of a student's program may be done at the undergraduate level.

The Master of Fine Arts degree must be completed within five years.

The graduate committee assigns a supervisor after discussion with the student.

Final thesis oral examinations are closed.

Research proposals are formulated by the student in consultation with the supervisor and approved by the graduate committee. Ethical guidelines are considered as part of the committee's review of the proposal.

None

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this calendar.

Students applying for scholarships must submit their applications to the Department by February 1.

None

The interests and research specialties of the staff can be found at http://drama.ffa.ucalgary.ca/people/academic-list.shtml