MFA Musical Theatre

[slance]

Posted: 8/2/07 at 11:10am

Does anyone know of any MFA programs in Musical Theatre besides the ones at SDSU and UCF...

Thanks so much for your help.

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 8/2/07 at 11:20am

The New School for Drama.

http://www.newschool.edu/academic/drama/

[ErinDillyFan]

Posted: 8/2/07 at 11:56am

NM

Updated On: 12/13/07 at 11:56 AM

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 8/2/07 at 1:28pm

The new school isn't for musical theatre. Just acting. I believe Oklahoma State has one (I think that's the name...the school Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O'Hara went to)

[Soozie]

Posted: 8/2/07 at 1:36pm

There are not very many MFA programs in Musical Theater. There are a few MM in Musical Theater.

Some graduate programs in Musical Theater:

Arizona State University (MM)
Boston Conservatory (MM)
New York University: Steinhardt (MA Vocal Performance w/ MT concentration)
Oklahoma City University (MM)
San Diego State University (MFA)
University of Central Florida (MFA)
University of Montana (MM)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (MFA)

By the way, the school that Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O'Hara attended is Oklahoma City University, not Oklahoma State.

[sondhead]

Posted: 8/2/07 at 4:48pm

They went to Oklahoma City University (www.okcu.edu) and they offer a MFA in music theatre

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 8/2/07 at 4:55pm

sondhead, OCU's degree is a Master of Music, M.M., not an M.F.A. They do not offer an M.F.A. in Musical Theatre there.

[joshual]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 5:09am

I'm currently doing the same kind of search. In addition to those posted, here are some I've found:

Tulane - Newcomb School - MFA program
Royal Scottish (RSAMD) - Masters in Musical Performance (wtf that means)

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 6:46am

Columbia University (MFA)

Updated On: 12/13/07 at 06:46 AM

[Soozie]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 11:18am

Columbia University does NOT offer an MFA in Musical Theatre. They do offer one in Acting. But this thread is asking about MFAs (or MM degrees) in Musical Theatre.

[TonyBWay]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 11:49am

University of Las Vegas, Nevada does not offer an MFA in Musical Theatre. However, they do have one for Acting. In fact, one of the graduates from last year will be taking over the role of Celie in The Color Purple (Zonya Love Johnson) on Broadway.

[Soozie]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 1:03pm

You are right that University of Las Vegas, Nevada doesn't offer an MFA IN musical theatre. Their MFA degree program is in PERFORMANCE (not acting) and the performance degree program includes musical theatre as part of that training.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 1:17pm

Indiana University

http://www.indiana.edu/~thtr/academics/undergraduate/bfamusical.html

[B3TA07]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 1:43pm

Actually as far as I know Oklahoma City University offers an MM in Musical Theatre performance.

[joshual]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 1:54pm

The fact that the URL you gave says "bfamusical" should be a good hint that its a BFA program, not MFA.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 12/13/07 at 3:35pm

Woops!

Thanks for that joshual!

[twinkie]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 1:19pm

I am considering the MFA program at SDSU. Is anyone familiar with it? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Recommended teachers? What's the vibe like down there? Any info appreciated! Thanks! Happy Holidays, Twink.

[Mistress Overdone]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 2:37pm

There's a student board where this has been discussed at great length, in many threads... not to be a snob, but you'll find a ton of information there.

[joshual]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 6:33pm

Ok, well where is it then? Just saying it exists does not seem to be real helpful.

[joshual]

Posted: 12/23/07 at 6:34pm

Twinkie - I'm auditioning for the MFA program at SDSU. I have talked a ton with the director of the program about it, and it sounds incredible. I'd love to talk to you about it and see what you think about it from the research you've done.

[tenorio]

Posted: 4/18/08 at 1:59am

Updated On: 4/25/08 at 01:59 AM

[ced167]

Posted: 4/22/08 at 6:05am

Did you have a bad experience at SDSU? What have you heard? Can you suggest a better MFA or 2 year conservatory type program? Thanks!

Posted: 4/22/08 at 11:50am

There's a One year Musical Theatre program at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow Scotland
Its what we would call an MFA in the states but over there it's called a MPerf.
Really great program, I know they have students who have been cast in Wicked, Hairspray, Eurobeat, and the wedding singer in the UK, plus a lot of american students who have come back to the US have done really well in NYC.
It's small program with 12 in a class, and GREAT contacts. Plus, if you want to you have the option to extend your student visa for two years to work in the UK as an actor, which you cannot do on a normal working visa. You have a agents showcase in london and glasgow at the end of the year, in my class 11 out of 12 of us got agent interest.
Glasgow is a great city as well, lots to do and scotland is beautiful.
the website is www.rsamd.ac.uk
and the contact is Andrew Panton, you can email him at [e-mail]
Updated On: 4/22/08 at 11:50 AM

[SDSUMFAmusthea2]

Posted: 4/15/11 at 6:01pm

Hello All!

My name is Kati Donovan, and I am currently an MFA candidate in San Diego State University's Musical Theatre program. I wanted to write back to correct and clarify the information out there about graduate programs in Musical Theatre.

Officially--- the program at San Diego State University is the ONLY remaining Musical Theatre MFA in the nation. Many programs abroad offer MAs and MMs in Musical Theatre, but none offer the terminal degree (MFA). The other national programs usually listed in these kinds of conversations have closed, or stopped accepting applications, indefinitely due to budgetary reasons. And the difference between an MA or MM and an MFA is the fact that only the MFA is a terminal degree (meaning final, or highest degree in that field). Most tenure-track teaching positions at the collegiate level require a terminal degree for application. The program at SDSU accepts between 6 and 10 students every two years. It is a four-semester program, with courses in:

Musical Theatre History
Dance History
Directing
Synthesis (Studio)
Vocal lessons & coaching
Jazz, Tap & Dance Rep
Research & Bibliography
among others.

SDSU's MFA program will be accepting applications for the class of 2014, starting in October 2011. For more information or to contact the program, check out the school's website:

http://theatre.sdsu.edu/html/academics/musmfa.htm

You may also follow the current MFA Musical Theatre class (2012) on Twitter:

SDSUMFAmusthea


Also I'm happy to answer any and all questions about the program, or for anyone considering advanced degrees in musical theatre.


Best,

Kati

[dexter3]

Posted: 4/15/11 at 11:48pm

Don't mean to be a downer...but can I ask why you're thinking about getting a masters in musical theater? The only reason I can possibly think of pursuing an MFA in musical theater is if you truly want a career in teaching musical theater at a university or college (where grad degrees have become a prerequisite for most positions). As an actor, of course you can always be learning more techniques and ways to approach performing, but I certainly wouldn't consider paying so much money (and taking 2-3 years off of an acting career) to take a stab at grad school. To be honest, the vast majority of people (with a few small exceptions) that end up going for MFA's are people whose careers have been stagnant or nonexistent after undergrad, and an MFA is an attempt to try to counteract that. It is certainly doesn't guarantee anything and could very well end up wasting you time and money...

Updated On: 4/16/11 at 11:48 PM