THEATRE

 

Telephone: (302) 831-2201

http://www.pttp.udel.edu/

Faculty Listing: http://www.pttp.udel.edu/faculty.html

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

 

The Department of Theatre offers graduate study leading to a Master of Fine Arts degree with concentrations in acting, technical production, and stage management. The Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) involves intensive studio work designed to prepare students for creative careers in the professional theatre and thereby contribute to its growth and improve its quality. 

Once every three years, after an extensive search conducted throughout the United States, a group of exceptionally talented students is selected for admission to the Professional Theatre Training Program in the Department of Theatre. Each student in the Professional Theatre Training Program participates in an intense curriculum in one of three concentrations (acting, stage management, or technical production) for three years. Each curriculum is carefully designed to provide the skills, abilities, and experiences necessary to begin a successful career in theatre. Students work exclusively within their area in an intensive program of studio classes and production experiences. Each curriculum is skill-oriented, emphasizing rigorous training in the craft areas appropriate to the specialization being pursued. All students in a curricular area participate in the same prescribed program of conservatory classes and continue working with one another throughout the three years of training. Because only one class is enrolled at a time, the faculty is able to focus its full energies on the development of each student. In all three years, students enjoy multiple production opportunities in classic plays as well as in a variety of other theatrical styles and genres. Although graduates find themselves well prepared for employment in many styles and mediums, the Program is specifically designed to train through plays from the classic repertoire and seeks students with a particular commitment to, and appetite for, the acknowledged masterworks of dramatic literature.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

 

Students apply for admission to one of three curricular areas: Acting, Stage Management, or Technical Production. In order to be considered for an audition (Acting) or interview (Stage Management and Technical Production), students must have an undergraduate degree or equivalent theatre experience. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required. A statement of theatre experience equivalency will be submitted by the Department of Theatre to the Office of Graduate Studies for those students who are recommended for admission without an undergraduate degree.

Prior to the audition/interview process, all students submit a program application, acquired from the Theatre Department, along with a resumé. Upon receipt of the program application and resumé, all students are scheduled for an audition/interview. There is no audition/interview fee. Applicants’ talent and aptitude are evaluated via the audition/interview process conducted in cities throughout the United States.

Once students have completed the audition/interview process as described below, they must submit a University Graduate Application along with the $60 non-refundable application fee in order to be considered for selection into the Program.

Audition Process for Acting. Applicants are requested to prepare two monologues of contrasting mood, one from a modern or contemporary play and one from a classic play in verse. The combined length of the two selections should not exceed four minutes. The audition process is conducted with groups of 10-15 applicants at a time. Each applicant presents her or his prepared selections, and participates in group exercises and improvisations in acting, voice, movement, and speech conducted by members of the

acting faculty.

Interview Process for Stage Management and Technical Production. Applicants are required to interview. While an in-person interview is preferable and highly encouraged, a telephone interview is acceptable. Applicants are encouraged to bring to or send in advance of their interview any pertinent materials (e.g., production photographs, production books, renderings, draftings, and/or slides). Such materials can be submitted in digital or hard copy.

 

FINANCIAL AID

 

The PTTP offers full fellowships and stipends based on need. Fellowships and stipends are automatically renewed while a student matriculates through the Program as long as the student meets the University’s criteria for maintaining an award.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

 

All candidates for the degree of Master of Fine Arts must be full-time participants of the Professional Theatre Training Program for three consecutive years and must complete the curricular requirements and specified credits in one of the three areas: Acting, Stage Management, or Technical Production. Specific academic policies may be obtained from the department. A minimum of 60 credits is required for the Master of Fine Arts degree. Degree requirements for each concentration follow.

 

ACTING

The acting curriculum is an intensive three-year conservatory training program. Students follow an integrated curriculum in which all subjects are directly related and in which no course is optional. Students in acting are expected to develop technical proficiency in voice, speech, movement, and acting. The curriculum emphasizes frequent public performance in predominately classic plays produced in a wide variety of theatrical styles and genres, with continual studio work on the development of skill leading to artistry.

CREDITS

YEAR 1: Students enroll in the following courses during year #1.

THEA 600 Distinctions of Professional Theatre Practice                                         2

(1 credit each semester)

THEA 601 Dynamics (1 credit each semester)                                                       2

THEA 602 Voice Development IA (1 credit fall)                                                       1

THEA 603 Voice Development IB (1 credit spring)                                                   1

THEA 608 Stage Movement IA (1 credit fall)                                                           1

THEA 609 Stage Movement IB (1 credit spring)                                                       1

THEA 614 Stage Speech IA (2 credits fall)                                                             2

THEA 615 Stage Speech IB (2 credits spring)                                                         2

THEA 620 Rehearsal & Performance/Acting (3 credits each semester)                     6

THEA 621 Verse Speaking, Rhetoric, and Communication IA (1 credit fall)    1

THEA 622 Verse Speaking, Rhetoric, and Communication IB (1 credit spring)           1

THEA 665 Theatre Literacy (1 credit each semester)                                              2

Total Year #1                                                                                                     22

 

YEAR 2: Students enroll in the following courses during year #2.

THEA 600 Distinctions of Professional Theatre Practice                                          2

(1 credit each semester)

THEA 601 Dynamics (1 credit each semester)                                                        2

THEA 604 Voice Development IIA (1 credit fall)                                                       1

THEA 605 Voice Development IIB (1 credit spring)                                                  1

THEA 610 Stage Movement IIA (1 credit fall)                                                           1

THEA 611 Stage Movement IIB (1 credit spring)                                                      1

THEA 616 Stage Speech IIA (1 credit fall)                                                              1

THEA 617 Stage Speech IIB (1 credit spring)                                                          1

THEA 620 Rehearsal & Performance/Acting (3 credits each semester)                     6

THEA 623 Verse Speaking, Rhetoric, and Communication IIA (1 credit fall)   1

THEA 624 Verse Speaking, Rhetoric, and Communication IIB (1 credit spring)          1

Total Year #2                                                                                                     18

 

YEAR 3: Students enroll in the following courses during year #3.

THEA 600 Distinctions of Professional Theatre Practice                                          2

(1 credit each semester)

THEA 601 Dynamics (1 credit each semester)                                                        2

THEA 606 Voice Development IIIA (1 credit fall)                                                      1

THEA 607 Voice Development IIIB (1 credit spring)                                                  1

THEA 612 Stage Movement IIIA (1 credit fall)                                                          1

THEA 613 Stage Movement IIIB (1 credit spring)                                         1

THEA 618 Stage Speech IIIA (1 credit fall)                                                              1

THEA 619 Stage Speech IIIB (1 credit spring)                                                         1

THEA 620 Rehearsal & Performance/Acting (5 credits each semester                    10

Total Year #3                                                                                                     20

 

TOTAL GRADUATION CREDITS                                                                        60

 

STAGE MANAGEMENT

The stage management curriculum is an intensive three-year conservatory training program. Students follow an integrated curriculum in which all subjects are directly related and in which no course is optional. Students in stage management are expected to develop technical proficiency in professional rehearsal and performance practices and techniques, communication skills, technical theatre skills, and management skills. The curriculum emphasizes frequent public performance in predominately classic plays produced in a wide variety of theatrical styles and genres, with continual studio work on the development of skill leading to artistry.

CREDITS

YEAR 1: Students enroll in the following courses during year #1.

THEA 600 Distinctions of Professional Theatre Practice                              2

(1 credit each semester)

THEA 601 Dynamics (1 credit each semester)                                            2

THEA 633 Stage Management Organizational &                                         2

Managerial Techniques IA (2 credits fall)

THEA 634 Stage Management Organizational &                                         1

Managerial Techniques IB (1 credit spring)

THEA 639 Stage Management Production Skills IA (2 credits fall)                2

THEA 640 Stage Management Production Skills IB (2 credits spring)           2

THEA 645 Rehearsal & Performance/Stage Management                4

(2 credits each semester)

THEA 648 Costume Construction (1 credit spring)                                       1

THEA 665 Theatre Literacy (1 credit each semester)                                   2

THEA 680 Lighting Production (1 credit fall)                                                1

THEA 681 Audio Production (1 credit fall)                                                   1

THEA 693 Production Seminar (1 credit fall)                                               1

Total Year #1                                                                                         21

 

YEAR 2: Students enroll in the following courses during year #2.

THEA 600 Distinctions of Professional Theatre Practice                              2

(1 credit each semester)

THEA 601 Dynamics (1 credit each semester)                                            2

THEA 635 Stage Management Organizational &                                         2

Managerial Techniques IIA (2 credits spring)

THEA 641 Stage Management Production Skills IIA (2 credits fall)   2

THEA 645 Rehearsal & Performance/Stage Management              10

(5 credits each semester)

THEA 674 Scenery Production (1 credit fall)                                               1

THEA 694 Special Topics in Theatre Production (2 credits fall)                     2

Total Year #2                                                                                         21

 

YEAR 3: Students enroll in the following courses during year #3.

THEA 600 Distinctions of Professional Theatre Practice                              2

(1 credit each semester)

THEA 601 Dynamics (1 credit each semester)                                            2

THEA 636 Stage Management Organizational &                                         2

Managerial Techniques IIB (2 credits spring)

THEA 642 Stage Management Production Skills IIB (2 credits fall)               2

THEA 645 Rehearsal & Performance/Stage Management              10

(5 credits each semester)

Total Year #3                                                                                         18

 

TOTAL GRADUATION CREDITS                                                            60

 

TECHNICAL PRODUCTION

The technical production curriculum is an intensive three-year conservatory training program. Students follow an integrated curriculum in which all subjects are directly related and in which no course is optional. Students in technical production are expected to develop technical proficiency in properties construction, audio production, scenic painting, stage carpentry, stage electronics, computerized drafting, and production management. The curriculum emphasizes frequent public performance in predominately classic plays produced in a wide variety of theatrical styles and genres, with continual studio work on the development of skill leading to artistry.

CREDITS

YEAR 1: Students enroll in the following courses during year #1.

THEA 600 Distinctions of Professional Theatre Practice                                          2

(1 credit each semester)

THEA 601 Dynamics (1 credit each semester)                                                        2

THEA 665 Theatre Literacy (1 credit each semester)                                               2

THEA 674 Scenery Production (1 credit fall)                                                           1

THEA 675 Properties Production (1 credit spring)                                        1

THEA 680 Lighting Production (1 credit fall)                                                            1

THEA 681 Audio Production (1 credit fall)                                                   1

THEA 684 Technical Production Seminar (1 credit spring)                            1

THEA 685 Stage Rigging, Mechanics, and Automation I (1 credit spring)                  1

THEA 686 Information Technologies for Theatre (1 credit fall)                                    1

THEA 687 Scenery Painting (1 credit spring)                                                          1

THEA 688 CAD & Scenery Construction (1 credit spring)                                         1

THEA 692 Production & Performance/Technical (2 credits fall, 3 credits spring)         5

THEA 693 Production Seminar (1 credit fall)                                                           1

Total Year #1                                                                                                     21

 

YEAR 2: Students enroll in the following courses during year #2.

THEA 600 Distinctions of Professional Theatre Practice                                          2

(1 credit each semester)

THEA 601 Dynamics (1 credit each semester)                                                        2

THEA 676 Scenery: Metalworking (1 credit fall)                                                       1

THEA 677 Properties Production II (1 credit fall)                                                      1

THEA 683 Production Project Management (1 credit fall)                                         1

THEA 684 Technical Production Seminar (1 credit each semester)               2

THEA 689 Stage Rigging, Mechanics, and Automation II (1 credit fall)                      1

THEA 692 Production & Performance/Technical                                                      8

(4 credits each semester)

THEA 694 Special Topics in Theatre Production (3 credits spring)                3

Total Year #2                                                                                                     21

 

YEAR 3: Students enroll in the following courses during year #3.

THEA 600 Distinctions of Professional Theatre Practice                                          2

(1 credit each semester)

THEA 601 Dynamics (1 credit each semester)                                                        2

THEA 684 Technical Production Seminar (1 credit each semester)               2

THEA 692 Production Preparation & Performance/Technical

(6 credits each semester)                                                                                   12

Total Year #3                                                                                                     18

 

TOTAL GRADUATION CREDITS                                                                        60