CURRICULUM - Master of Arts Degree

The M.A. degree in Theatre is a research-oriented degree that will prepare the student for admission to Ph.D. programs while facilitating entrée to theatrical practice through dramaturgy.  Two areas of emphasis are offered.

The THEATRE HISTORY/DRAMATIC LITERATURE track takes advantage of graduate courses in Theatre History and Text Analysis as well as certain graduate-level courses in other departments at UMKC. The study and practice of dramaturgy is an attractive option for involvement in theatre production. Students who complete the M.A. degree with this emphasis area are fully prepared to go on to a Ph.D. program in Theatre. A thesis is required to complete this degree.

The PLAYWRITING track may include certain graduate-level courses in screenwriting from the Communications Studies and English Departments as well as Department of Theatre courses in Playwriting. Besides building a portfolio of plays, the playwright has special opportunities for involvement in theatre production through dramaturgical work. The M.A. candidate with a focus in Playwriting may submit an original “full-length” play as a special thesis option under guidelines established by the School of Graduate Studies. 

Requirements for Admission

1.      Admission to the UMKC School of Graduate Studies.

2.      Acceptance by the Head of the Master of Arts program.

3.      A B.A. in Theatre from a recognized university or college.  A student having a B.A. in another discipline may be admitted with a minimum of 18 hours in theatre courses.  A student who does not have 18 undergraduate hours in theatre may make up the deficiency by taking Theatre courses at UMKC.  These courses will not be credited toward the requirements for graduation in the M.A. degree unless approved  by the Head of the Master of Arts program.

Requirements for Graduation

1.  A minimum of 36 hours beyond the B.A. degree.

2.  At least 18 of these hours must be in 500 level courses.

3.  At least 21 of these hours must be taken in the Theatre Department, including at least 6 hours of Theatre History/Dramatic Literature and 6 hours of Research and Thesis.

For the Theatre History/Dramatic Literature track, the 6 hours of Research and Thesis will culminate in the submission of a thesis and an oral examination.

For the Playwriting track, the 6 hours of Research and Thesis will culminate in the submission of a “full-length” play, a public reading or staging of the play, and an oral examination.

4.  No more than 12 hours of 300-400 level courses may be counted toward the degree.  Graduate students enrolled in these courses are expected to do work beyond that expected of undergraduates, both in quality and in quantity.

5.  No more than 40 percent of the program of study may be devoted to special project courses like Theatre 400 and 590.

6.  Graduate and undergraduate courses taken for graduate credit outside the department must be approved by the head of the Master of Arts program.

7.  A graduate grade point average of 3.0 (B) should be maintained.  No 300 or 400 level courses will be accepted for graduate credit if the grade is lower than B.

Special Playwriting/Dramaturgy Thesis Option for M.A. in Theatre

1.  The play must be a “full-length” work; that is, of sufficient scope to merit theatrical presentation for a paying public without supporting events to accompany it.

2.  The play must be typed in the standard format of professional playscripts, including lists of characters and scenes.

3.  Because of casting, technical, and budgetary variables, production of a thesis play cannot be guaranteed by the Theatre Department.  However, if the play is not produced before its submission, it must be given a reading that will be open to all Theatre students and faculty.  A public or private critique session following that reading will be at the discretion of the candidate’s thesis committee. 

4.  The final version of the play must be read by all members of the thesis committee, all of whom must certify the play’s stageworthiness.  Literary merit alone will not suffice.

5.  The text of the play must be preceded by a critical introduction that will place the work in contemporary and historical perspective and will address the author’s goals and intent.

6.  The style/format of the frontal section (title page, abstract, introduction, etc.) will conform to Turabian and to the School of Graduate Studies Memorandum on Graduate Theses and Dissertations.

Other Information

Students entering the M.A. program may be asked to take a diagnostic examination in order to determine academic deficiencies and enable faculty to consult more effectively on planning the student’s program.  Any deficiencies in undergraduate work must be made up in the first semester of graduate work if possible, but no later than the first year.

Please submit a University application and fee along with official college transcripts to the Office of Admissions; two recommendation letters, resume, and a writing sample to Dr. Felicia Londré.

Contact

Dr. Felicia Hardison Londré

Curators’ Professor of Theatre

Department of Theatre    PAC 408

Honorary Patricia McIlrath Street

4949 Cherry Street

Kansas City, Missouri 64110-2499

LondreF@umkc.edu

1-816-235-2781

Revised 2.17.2006