Master of Fine Arts in Directing

Directing – MF5130

School of Theater
307 Kantner Hall
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
740.593.4818
theater@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall only

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Program Overview

First-year directing classes are designed to help the director understand the logical progression of organic components that make up the directing process. This includes exploring how a play is chosen, examining how a concept or directing approach is formulated, and where the dangers and pitfalls lie; discussing matters of textual analysis, including classical Aristotelian elements, dramatic structure, and breaking the text down from the actor’s point of view into objectives, actions, subtext, given circumstances and beats; analyzing research techniques and the pre-production period; probing the art of collaboration – with the designers, playwright, actors and stage management team – and how each collaboration is different; investigating the process of working with the design team on everything from the ground plan to the sound design; scrutinizing the casting process, from the writing of breakdowns to running an audition, and what a director needs to look for in the audition room; breaking down the rehearsal process, from first reading through table work, blocking, scene work, and run-throughs, with particular emphasis on working with the actor; and finally, looking at technical rehearsals, including methods of saving time and energy during cue-to-cue, and strategies for accomplishing as much work as you can in as little time as possible. 

First Year Production Opportunities: The first semester MFA directors participate in the Actor/Director Lab and do scene work and direct a ten minute play with selected actors from the BFA and MFA acting community.  Second semester the director chooses and directs a one-act in the Lab Space. 

Second-year training supports the director as they develop their unique artistic voices. From play choice to final production mentorship is focused on a director establishing their own style in the room. Classes focuses on an investigation into a variety of theatrical styles which can include but is not limited to the Greeks, Shakespeare,Moliere, Brecht or Fornes. We take into account the questions why now and why here when discussing these texts.  What does this particular work have to say to our audience. If performed in the style within which it was conceived, how does it illuminate the human condition in our current time frame? Does it need to? 

Second Year Production Opportunities: In the second year the MFA director will work on a full production of a heightened language play.  This production falls in the first semester.  In thier second semester the second year MFA director has the opportunity to assistant direct for the professional director in residence on the Tantrum production. 

The third year of training consists primarily of internship, thesis production, and independent studies. Classes associated with thesis involve weekly mentoring sessions during the pre-production process as well as during the rehearsal period. Every aspect of directorial collaboration is evaluated, with particular emphasis on the strength, clarity and imagination of their conception of the production. This involves regular attendance at design meetings, casting sessions and, once they are in progress, rehearsals.  The directors are also required to submit a professional looking production journal as part of their final grade, and participate in an Oral Defense of their thesis production with a Thesis Committee comprised of the Directing area head, a representative from the performance area faculty, and a third member from outside the performance area.

Third Year Production Opportunity: Full Main Stage production either the first or second semester. 

Our directors are compassionate, engaged, theater artists that leave the program to become professional directors,directors of theaters, and arts educators.

Program Learning Outcomes

Successful Theater M.F.A. students at Ohio University will:

• Demonstrate heightened skills in professional presentation, collaboration and communication.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of research practices, dramatic literature, theory and history.
• Apply heightened skills and demonstrate a comprehension of theories and methodologies as they relate to professional practice in directing, including pre-production, rehearsals, and technical rehearsals/previews.

Opportunities for Graduates

We continue to explore superior internship opportunities across the United States for students in the MFA directing program. In the past we have placed students in an array of professional theaters, including those in New York (Manhattan Class Company, New Georges, Abingdon Theater, and the Obie-award winning HERE); Chicago (two Tony Award-winning theaters – Victory Gardens Theater and the Goodman); London (Punchdrunk and Royal Opera House); and across the nation (Actors Theater of Louisville, Pangea World Theater, Florida Repertory Theater, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Contemporary American Theater Festival, Shakespeare Dallas, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theater, Dallas Opera, Cara Mia Theater Company, and many others).  A number of our internships have led to direct employment, either as a director or as a staff member, underlining the professionalism and accomplishment of our graduate students as they bridge to the profession.

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/theater/mfa-directing

Admission Requirements

Requirements for the initial interview process would include a cover letter, full directing resume, copies of undergraduate transcripts, a statement of purpose and directing philosophy, plus three letters of recommendation.

International Students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

Complete a minimum of 90 credit hours as follows: