MA Theatre - Production/Stage Management

Department of Theatre and Dance

Production Stage management MA main page  

MA Theatre Programs Coordinator: Dr. Jane Peterson; 973-655-4109

MA Theatre/Production/Stage Management:
The Big Picture

What may not be obvious to the casual theatre-goer are the seamless collaborative efforts of backstage managers and professionals that bring staged productions to life. The Master of Arts (MA) in Theatre, Production/Stage Management concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in backstage production and management where they are responsible for such areas as running rehearsals and calling shows, and managing production shops in commercial, non-profit and educational theatre settings.

Our proximity to Manhattan allows us to attract an outstanding full-time faculty and prominent guest artists who work closely with students each semester. With Manhattan just 30 minutes away, you will be able to connect with on and off-Broadway productions and numerous internship opportunities.

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What You Will Study

The MA Production/Stage Management program combines a core curriculum of theatrical and stage production management, and related academic coursework with applied experiences, including oversight of a production from concept to closing.

Together, coursework and hands-on application of skills prepare you to manage all aspects of theatrical production – from rehearsal scheduling to budgeting and box office, from union contracts and negotiations to staff management. A choice from a range of technical-skill electives in scenic design, stage lighting, theatre technology, and costume design round out the academic program, while internship opportunities in professional theatres provide valuable real world career experience.

For complete MA Theatre/Production/Stage Management curriculum requirements, go to:

To learn more about Careers in Production and Stage Management, go to:

To learn more about programs and academic-support services available to all Montclair State University master’s degree candidates, please go to:

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Our Faculty

More than 75 permanent faculty members and visiting professionals – including internationally renowned celebrity guest artists and artists-in-residence, prominent scholars, and world-class performers, directors, designers, technicians and producers – mentor our Theatre and Dance students each semester. These working professionals share insights gleaned from their professional experiences with students in workshops and master classes. Faculty mentoring can often lead to opportunities beyond the classroom.

Click the links below to learn more:

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Theatre Facilities

Montclair State boasts exceptional performance facilities with impressive technical specifications.  Our six well-equipped theatres, include the state-of-the-art Alexander Kasser Theater; the 946-seat Memorial Auditorium; our 2000-seat amphitheater, and the intimate L. Howard Fox Theatre.

This exceptional range of performance spaces – both front-of- house and backstage -- reflects high industry standards and prepares students for future careers managing a variety of performance settings.

MA Production/Stage Management students also have access to:

  • Two Scene Shops -- each equipped to support on-campus productions. The Life Hall/Memorial Auditorium Shop is dedicated to classroom and department productions. The Alexander Kasser Theatre Shop is dedicated to academic and professional performances in this state-of-the-art facility.
  • Costume Shop  -- located in the back of Memorial Auditorium and featuring a view of New York City, the shop is both a classroom and production space where students and staff produce more than 400 costumes each year. 

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Cultural Programming

Students learn by watching as well as by doing. In addition to having easy access to the diverse productions staged in nearby Manhattan, you will have the opportunity to attend more than 500 professional events on campus each year, including those presented by the Theatre and Dance Department as well as by Montclair’s Peak Performances  program of theatre, dance, and music productions. Students are admitted FREE to these campus events.

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Accreditation

Montclair’s MA in Theatre programs meet the rigorous standards of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) – a distinction that places us among the nation’s most competitive programs.

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Apply Now

To apply to the MA Theatre/Production/Stage Management Program, or to any Department of Theatre and Dance program, please visit Department Admissions.

For additional information about our programs, please visit us to tour the facilities and/or plan to attend one of our Open Houses.

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