MFA Directing


Trains students to work as professional theatre directors through extensive practical work in a range of venues and styles. The program prepares students to become collaborative leaders whose creative practice is informed by a thorough grounding in critical thinking.

Highlights:

  • A two-year, plus thesis MFA Directing program
  • Significant directing opportunities; five practical projects ranging in scale from studio projects with limited tech to a full-scale thesis production on the mainstage in the Timms Centre for the Arts
  • Guidance from master teachers with extensive experience as professional directors, who offer diverse approaches to directing
  • Four in-depth seminars on directing, plus access to a variety of graduate seminars with other grad students on a range of topics
  • Freedom to pursue an independent study

 You will learn:

  • Fundamentals of the Directing process
  • Approaches to directing various kinds of texts and theatrical styles, including a semester-long introduction to devised theatre
  • Detailed tools for working effectively with actors
  • Skills for working with designers and other members of the collaborative team
  • Orientation to various staging configurations
  • Rehearsal process tools.
  • Leadership
  • Collaboration skills
  • Professional development in preparation for entering the professional theatre landscape

UofA Calendar description of the program

How to Apply

Contact an Advisor