Overview | Curriculum | Faculty | Facilities & Cultural Programming | Accreditation | Applying | Contact Us/Graduate School
Theatre Studies /
What It’s About
The Master of Arts (MA) in Theatre, Theatre Studies Concentration is designed to satisfy a range of needs and is ideal for students who want to build upon their previous undergraduate study of theater, explore their passion for theater for the first time or prepare for subsequent doctoral studies.
Located on a campus just 14 miles west of Manhattan, MSU’s theatre programs attract an outstanding faculty and prominent guest artists to work with our students every semester. Likewise, our 30-minute train ride to New York connects students with theatre productions, internship opportunities and all that attracts artists from all over the world.
| Back to top |
What You Will Study
The program offers a broad range of courses focused on theater history, criticism and dramatic literature, as well as opportunities for hands-on training in dramaturgy, advanced acting and advanced directing workshops.
The flexible curriculum reinforces theory through practice and allows students to pursue particular areas of interest within the discipline of theatre studies. Small classes, group projects, independent study and courses grounded in current theoretical perspectives strengthen both student research and practice. Students appreciate the choice of full- or part-time status; night, weekend and hybrid/online classes; access to internships in the New York/New Jersey area; as well as the expeditious timeframe in which the degree program (only 33 credits) can be completed.
Curriculum Links –
Curriculum requirements for the theatre-studies concentration and other programs in the Department of Theatre and Dance may be found through the links below:
| Back to top |
An Outstanding Faculty
Theatre studies majors work with outstanding faculty and guest artists who are prominent scholars, world-class performers, directors, designers, technicians and producers. More than 75 permanent faculty and visiting professionals mentor our Theatre and Dance majors every semester along with renowned guest artists who visit the campus regularly – to teach, choreograph and conduct master classes. Collectively, they employ progressive teaching methods that foster a rich learning community, as well as lay the groundwork for professional networking.
Faculty Links –
| Back to top |
Exceptional Facilities
Theatre studies majors enjoy access to Montclair State’s outstanding performance facilities including the state-of-the-art 500-seat Alexander Kasser Theater, 946-seat Memorial Auditorium, 2,000-seat amphitheater, intimate L. Howard Fox Theatre and the MSU Dance Theatre, which is used for small dance performances and theatre workshops. The diversity of our performance spaces reflects the variety within the industry and prepares our students to work in a wide range of venues.
Cultural Programming
Outside the classroom, theatre studies majors are encouraged to attend the diversity of productions available to them. While Broadway is only 14 miles away, students also have access to more than 500 professional and academic performances right on campus – presented annually by the department and through Peak Performances, Montclair State’s widely acclaimed program of eclectic theatre, dance and music productions. Just down the corridor, the award-winning George Segal Gallery features its own vibrant season of contemporary work for students to experience the visual arts.
| Back to top |
Accreditation
Montclair State’s MA in Theatre programs are widely recognized and meet the rigorous standards of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), thus placing it among the most-competitive programs in the region.
| Back to top |
How to Apply
For information on applying to the MA in Theatre programs, see the Department Admissions page.
| Back to top |
For Further Information
Contact –
MA Theatre Programs Coordinator:
Dr. Jane Peterson
petersonj@mail.montclair.edu
Graduate School Resources –
To learn more about programs and academic-support services for all university master’s-seeking candidates, click on the link to the Graduate School:
| Back to top |
|
