Graduate Handbook

The requirements for the M.F.A. in Acting are divided into three elements: formal instruction, production requirements, and thesis work.

Formal Instruction

Students pursuing the MFA in Acting must complete a minimum of 70 total semester hours comprised of 65 hours of graduate course work and 5 hours of required performance credit. The three-year curriculum consists of the following courses:

Plan of Study

1st Semester

Orientation to Graduate Studies
Acting: Foundations
Voice: Foundations
Movement: Foundations

2nd Semester

Acting: Meisner Technique
Voice: Articulation/IPA/Standard American
Movement: Stage Violence
Theatrical Analysis: Classical to Romantic

3rd Semester

Acting: Psycho-Physical Acting -- Grotowski
Voice: Vocal Range/Articulation/Standard British
Movement: Yoga
Career Preparation/Period Styles

4th Semester

Acting: Poetic Drama – Shakespeare
Voice: Voice and Language I
Movement: Lecoq Mime
Theatrical Analysis: Modern

5th Semester

Acting: Comedy
Voice: Voice and Language II
Movement: Commedia dell’Arte
Elective

6th Semester

Acting for the Camera
New Work Project
Thesis Role
Theatrical Analysis: Post-Modern

NOTE: The sequence of classes may vary.

NOTE: Some candidates may enter the program with insufficient knowledge in basic areas, which may be important to their future success in the program. These students may be required to complete additional courses.

Performance Credit

Students must complete a total of 5 required performance credits. The third year thesis role accounts for 3 of these credits (See Thesis Work). Additionally, each individual must earn a total of two credits for performance work in new works during the second and/or third years. One credit is awarded for each role and must be approved by the acting faculty. Acceptable venues for fulfillment of this requirement include Partnership in the Arts, Second Stage, Gallery, and Workshop productions, and performances in the Iowa New Play Festival.

Production Requirements

M.F.A. actors are required to audition for all Mainstage productions presented by the department and to perform as cast. Every student is required to perform at least one role each semester. Students must first obtain permission from the Head of Acting before auditioning for any roles outside of the department.

NOTE: The Director of Theatre must approve all casting.

Thesis Work

The thesis requirement for the MFA in acting consists of two components – a thesis role or performance project, and a written statement of process. Both must be completed during the final year in residence.

The Performance Component

The performance component is the thesis role which is assigned in the third year. Normally the thesis role represents a substantial challenge to the student. A member of the acting faculty serves as the student’s advisor and coach, and helps her or him develop and fulfill the requirements of the role. Prior to the final year of residency, the student must submit a preference list of roles drawn from those being offered in the third year. This list must include at least three alternatives. Thesis roles are assigned on the basis of student preference as well as departmental need. The first preference may not always be accommodated. Students are then assigned a faculty coach to assist from planning through performance of the thesis role. Coaches are assigned on the basis of student preference, as well as the acting faculty’s perception of the particular student’s need. Coach preference may not always be accommodated.

The Written Component

The written thesis is comprised of two elements: a summary process statement, and an annotated resume of works performed during the student’s residency. The summary statement is an examination of the actor’s personal process. It is developed throughout the student’s academic career in conjunction with the annual evaluation. The annotated resume should include all works performed by the student during residency.

Secondary Area of Emphasis

A select number of students in the Graduate Acting Program may be permitted to pursue a secondary area of emphasis in directing, dramaturgy, or playwriting. Individuals interested in this option must demonstrate satisfactory study and/or experience in the designated field of interest and be approved by the faculty prior to admission to the Graduate Acting Program. Normally, the secondary area of emphasis may not be added retroactively.

The course of study in the secondary area of emphasis is divided into two elements—required course work and a creative project.

1. Course Work

Students pursuing the secondary emphasis are required to complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of approved course work in their chosen field. An approved plan of study will be determined in consultation with the faculty. Total course work may not exceed 12 credit hours. To accommodate scheduling, individuals may waive up to two courses in the Acting Plan of Study with the prior approval of the Acting Faculty.

2. Creative Project

Individuals must also earn 3 credits related to a creative project. The project must be developed as part of an independent study and completed during the second or third year. Creative projects are specific to the area of emphasis.

• Students emphasizing directing will be required to organize and direct a Gallery or Workshop level production
• Individuals pursuing dramaturgy will be expected to serve as the production dramaturg for a Mainstage, Second Stage, Gallery, or Festival production, and produce a production protocol
• Playwriting emphasis students will be expected to complete a full length script and present it in a public reading.

NOTE: Actors accepted in the secondary area option are not required to perform a role during the semester in which the creative project is presented. However, they may accept a role if desired with the approval of the acting faculty.

NOTE: Students interested in the playwriting area should be aware that participation in the Iowa Playwright’s Workshop is not an option. The Workshop is exclusive to those individuals pursuing the MFA in Playwriting.

Continuation in the Program

The first year is a probationary period for all M.F.A. students in acting. At the end of the first year, the faculty evaluates each student’s work to determine her or his eligibility to continue in the program. This decision is based on demonstrated talent, potential, discipline, and satisfactory progress in academic and artistic learning situations.

Students who are accepted into the second year normally proceed to satisfactory completion of the degree. Nonetheless, evaluation is an ongoing process and students must continue to present work of distinction in their production assignments and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better in their acting classes (see Graduate Guidelines). If a student’s grade point average falls below 3.0 it must be raised to that level by the end of the following semester. Failure to do so may be grounds for dismissal.

Performance/Production Evaluation

Evaluation of performance in productions is ongoing. At least one member of the acting faculty will be assigned to evaluate the student’s work in every production. Students are required to speak personally with the evaluating faculty member shortly after completion of the performance. Students are also encouraged to speak with as many other faculty members as possible about their work.

MFA Actors are also required to prepare two monologues and present them at every general departmental audition. Normally there are two general auditions each academic year. Monologues may not be repeated. Following each audition, students are required to schedule individual meetings with the Head of Acting, and their Movement and Voice teachers for feedback.

Academic and Program Evaluation

At the end of every semester, actors receive a formal oral evaluation of their course and production work. These discussions deal comprehensively with all aspects of the student’s progress.

At the end of the first and second academic years students receive a written evaluation of their work, a copy of which is placed in their files. In conjunction with the end of year evaluation the student must write a summary statement

The purpose of the summary statement is to encourage a synergistic examination of the student’s creative process as it develops: a self-evaluation of the development of a personal approach to acting.

Three weeks prior to the end of the year evaluation the student must submit the summary statement to the evaluating committee.

In the second year of residency the summary statement is revised and serves as the student’s comprehensive examination.

In the final year the summary statement is revised once more and, with the annotated resume, forms the written portion of the Master’s Thesis.

[Back to Table of Contents]