MFA in Playwriting
The MFA in Playwriting is offered by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) Playwriting Program in close collaboration with the College of Fine Arts (CFA) School of Theatre.
As partners in the MFA in Playwriting, the Playwriting Program and the School of Theatre (SOT) want to ensure that our playwriting graduates are equipped for both the academic and professional worlds of the theatre. To that end, the MFA in Playwriting combines a strong commitment to literary scholarship with invaluable, hands-on collaborations with other theatre artists.
Our shared goal, while building on the strong foundation of each other’s award-winning successes, integrates faculty expertise in our renowned English Department (in the College of Arts & Sciences) with complementary SOT strengths (in the College of Fine Arts) in acting, directing, design, production, and theatre management. Intensive writing workshops incorporating professional actors and directors are coupled with classes immersing each student in dramatic literature, theatre history, and practice. During our professional season of new works, each student’s personal involvement in the theatrical productions is required. Teaching fellowships in the English Department are offered along with competitive financial aid and potential teaching assistantships in the SOT.
This three-year degree culminates in a production of each student’s work and an internship at a chosen theatre.
Course Requirements
A total of 60 credits are required, normally completed over three years. All courses must be completed with a grade of B- or higher.
Eight workshops in playwriting (32 credits). Two playwriting workshops must be taken every semester during the first two years of study. Seven of these eight workshops are part of a fixed program, taken in sequence by all students in a given entering cohort:
- CAS 519 Drama in Theory and Practice: Social and Political Theatre (Fall 1)
- CAS EN 520 Drama in Theory and Practice: Structure and Script (Fall 1)
- CAS EN 519 Drama in Theory and Practice: Solo Performance (Spring 1)
- CAS EN 510 Playwriting I: Writing of Short Plays (Spring 1)
- CAS EN 509 Playwriting II: Analysis to Inspiration (Fall 2)
- GRS EN 705 Seminar: Writing of Plays I (Fall 2)
- GRS EN 706 Seminar: Writing of Plays II (Spring 2)
- Elective Workshop (Spring 2)
Sixteen (16) credits of dramatic or other literature, at the 500 level or above, chosen in consultation with the advisor to form a coherent plan of study that informs the student’s scholarly interests and creative work. Courses may be selected from offerings in the departments of English, Classical Studies, Modern Languages & Comparative Literature, Romance Studies, or the School of Theatre.
Four (4) credits of creative process coursework in play production (most specifically in design and directing):
- CFA DR 557 or 558 Scene Design I (2 credits)
- CFA DR 621 Scene Workshop (2 credits over two semesters) OR
- CFA DR 546 Directed Study (Introduction to Directing) (2 credits)
Two (2) elective credits (which may be earned through a mentored teaching assistantship)
Six (6) credits of directed study focused on the writing and production of the student’s thesis play:
- GRS EN 995 Directed Study in Playwriting (4 credits, Spring 2)
- GRS EN 996 Directed Study in Play Production (2 credits, Fall or Spring 3)
A foreign language is required for this degree; please write to the director of playwriting for more information.
