The Theatre School’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Acting is a highly truthful, yet expressive, physical acting program informed by our Chicago roots that prepares actors to work on stage and screen all over the world. The first year experience is about expanding the size and specificity of the actor’s skill, imagination, and drive. The next year intensifies scenic study of a diverse spectrum of dramatic literature, with a strong path of ensemble creation and student-generated work. The final year puts the work in the context of the profession, connects the student to artistic and industry leaders while refining the actor’s entrepreneurial spirit through company created works and independent cinema experience.
Work on The Theatre School’s production season extends outside of the university’s academic calendar. Some production assignments may require participation up to two weeks before the beginning of fall quarter, during a portion of the winter break, or during spring break. Specific details pertaining to different programs, specific assignments, and options for students not able to participate outside of the university’s academic calendar are available in the Theatre School Student Handbook and the Theatre School website.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 120 |
| Total hours required | 120 |
- Read and interpret theatrical text and apply research, imagination, and personalization to create a unique, insightful, and compelling performance.
- Demonstrate the mastery of acting truthfully from moment-to-moment in a variety of theatrical works, periods, and styles.
- Demonstrate an advanced personal practice of improving vocal and physical expressiveness as an actor.
- Take a leadership role in the creation and execution of work for theatrical production.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PRF 588 | GRADUATE ON CAMERA I: FILM | 3 |
| Acting I Sequence | ||
| PRF 511 | GRADUATE ACTING I: TRUTH IN ACTION | 4 |
| PRF 512 | GRADUATE ACTING I: SCENE STUDY | 4 |
| PRF 513 | GRADUATE ACTING I: ENSEMBLE | 4 |
| Voice I Sequence | ||
| PRF 531 | GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH I | 2 |
| PRF 532 | GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH I | 2 |
| PRF 533 | GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH I | 2 |
| Speech Sequence | ||
| PRF 520 | MFA I SPEECH | 2 |
| PRF 530 | MFA I ADVANCED SPEECH | 2 |
| PRF 540 | GRADUATE SPEECH I: ADVANCED NOTATION | 2 |
| Movement I Coursework | ||
| PRF 521 | GRADUATE MOVEMENT I: YOGA FOR ACTORS | 1 |
| PRF 522 | GRADUATE MOVEMENT I: ACRO-YOGA | 1 |
| PRF 523 | GRADUATE MOVEMENT I: LABAN & MPA | 2 |
| PRF 524 | GRADUATE MOVEMENT I: PATTERNS & CONTACT | 2 |
| PRF 525 | GRAD MOVEMENT I: AWARENESS & RADIANCE | 2 |
| PRF 620 | GRAD MOVEMENT I: NEUTRAL MASK & CORPOREAL EXPRESSION | 2 |
| Acting, Improvisation Sequence | ||
| PRF 551 | MFA IMPROVISATION I | 2 |
| PRF 552 | MFA IMPROVISATION II | 2 |
| MFA Workshop I, Actor as Entrepreneur Sequence | ||
| PRF 571 | MFA WORKSHOP I: EQUILIBRIUM & POETRY (Two 5 week sessions) | 2 |
| PRF 572 | MFA WORKSHOP I: MAKEUP & MONOLOGUES (Two 5 week sessions) | 2 |
| PRF 573 | MFA WORKSHOP I: COMMUNITY & DIALOGUE (Two 5 week sessions) | 2 |
| Graduate Seminar Sequence | ||
| THE 601 | GRADUATE SEMINAR | 3 |
| THE 602 | GRADUATE SEMINAR | 3 |
| Rehearsal and Performance I Sequence | ||
| PRF 562 | REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE I: MFA ACTORS PROJECT | 5 |
| PRF 563 | REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE I: CASTING POOL | 5 |
| Second Year | ||
| PRF 580 | GRADUATE MOVEMENT II: UNARMED COMBAT | 1 |
| Graduate Acting Coursework | ||
| PRF 611 | GRADUATE ACTING II: SHAKESPEARE | 4 |
| PRF 612 | GRADUATE ACTING II: ACTIVISM & COMMUNITY | 4 |
| PRF 714 | AUDITION | 3 |
| PRF 716 | GRADUATE SHOWCASE | 3 |
| On Camera | ||
| PRF 720 | GRADUATE ON-CAMERA II: AUDITIONING FOR THE CAMERA | 3 |
| PRF 688 | GRADUATE ON CAMERA III: ACTING ON SCREEN | 3 |
| Movement II Coursework | ||
| PRF 621 | GRADUATE MOVEMENT II: STORYTELLING & THE WORLD OF PLAY | 2 |
| PRF 622 | GRADUATE MOVEMENT II: MASK/WHOLE BODY | 3 |
| PRF 623 | GRADUATE MOVEMENT II: RED NOSE/FLYING | 2 |
| PRF 624 | GRADUATE MOVEMENT II: WEAPONS & MOTION CAPTURE | 2 |
| Voice and Speech II Coursework | ||
| PRF 630 | GRADUATE SPEECH II: TEXT & RHETORIC | 2 |
| PRF 631 | GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH II | 2 |
| PRF 632 | GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH II | 2 |
| PRF 633 | GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH II | 2 |
| Rehearsal and Performance II Sequence | ||
| Take three of the four listed: | ||
| PRF 661 | REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE II: CASTING POOL | 5 |
| PRF 662 | REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE II: CASTING POOL | 5 |
| PRF 663 | REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE II: CASTING POOL | 5 |
| PRF 715 | MFA INDEPENDENT PROJECT | 5 |
| MFA Workshop II, Actor as Entrepreneur Sequence | ||
| PRF 671 | MFA WORKSHOP II: MARKETING & SELF TAPING (Two 5 week sessions) | 2 |
| PRF 673 | MFA WORKSHOP II: BUSINESS OF ACTING & COMPANY CREATION (Two 5 week sessions) | 2 |
Terminal Requirements for the Master of Fine Arts Degree
In addition to completing the graduate requirements of the major program, each student must complete this terminal requirement: one analytical research paper, a minimum of 15 pages in length, in conjunction with Rehearsal and Performance Casting, Independent Project, or a topic relevant to the degree and approved by The Head of Graduate Acting.