Program Recognition
•Highly selective program admitting one to two directors per year
•Three-year, 60-hour terminal degree
•Targeted to mid-career theatre artists with proven professional experience
Training
•Directing students work closely with the M.F.A. in Theatre Playwriting program — directing and developing new work in classroom, workshop and production settings
•Curriculum balances traditional scripted directing with generative, adaptive, devised and community-based approaches
•Year One: fundamentals — script analysis, working with actors, staging and composition
•Year Two: development of interpretive skills for new and existing work
•Year Three: professional theatre internship and M.F.A. thesis
Performance & Productions
•UTNT (UT New Theatre) — annual showcase of new plays written and directed by Playwriting/Directing students
•Collaboration with Michener Center for Writers
•Biennial Cohen New Works Festival features over 30 original student works
Degree Structure
•36 credits studio, theory and skills coursework
•12 credits electives
•6 credits applied practice
•6 credits thesis
