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Graduate Brochure

Programs & Degrees

Ph.D. in Theatre Studies

The Ph.D. in Theatre is an academic degree, but students must demonstrate competence in at least one production area. To be admitted, a student will ordinarily be expected to have a Graduate Record Examination score of at least 148 (verbal), 144 (quantitative), and 4.5 (analytical writing). Students who took the GRE before the implementation of the analytical writing section (i.e. before October 2002) will be expected to have an analytical score of 600 or above. Applicants must also have a grade-point average of at least 3.2 for undergraduate and at least 3.5 for graduate work; and a master's degree acceptable to the graduate faculty. Deficiencies in a student's background may require make-up work.

The master's and doctoral programs combine rigorous study of theory, criticism and history with production work in a collegial atmosphere. Students can expect to develop expertise in methodologies including classic theatre or film theory, historiography, semiotics, poststructuralism and cultural studies. The department is an institutional member of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. Our research ranks us in the top ten among a selection of major institutions in the 2005 Faculty Productivity Index by Academic Analytics. The department is home to the prestigious Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism.

Data on Recently-Granted Degrees: From 2004 to 2006, the Department granted nine Ph.D.s. The median time to degree for these students was 7.7 years. For full-time students only, the median time to degree was 6.7 years.

The M.F.A. program prepares scenography students to teach and design professionally. Theatre faculty, students, and guest artists contribute to a full season of main stage and black-box productions in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre and the William Inge Memorial Theatre, and three intimate studio spaces.

The Film program offices are housed in Oldfather Studios, which maintain a full schedule of production work in film and video and have one of the largest sound stages in the central plains. Successful applicants usually have a bachelor's degree in theatre or film, but students with other majors may be admitted on the condition that they make up the necessary course work.

Admission Criteria

M.A. Degree

Ph.D. Degree

To be admitted, a student will ordinarily be expected to have a Graduate Record Examination score of at least 148 (verbal), 144 (quantitative), and 4.5 (analytical writing). Students who took the GRE before the implementation of the analytical writing section (i.e. before October 2002) will be expected to have an analytical score of 600 or above. Applicants should also have a grade-point average of at least 3.2 for undergraduate and at least 3.5 for graduate work; and a master's degree acceptable to the graduate faculty. Deficiencies in a student's background may require make-up work.

Ph.D. Degree in Theatre

Applicants must hold the M.A. in theatre studies or a related field acceptable to the department. Depending on background, students may have to make up some work from the M.A. including courses in the methodology sequence noted under the MA requirements. Normally, such make-up work does not count toward the Ph.D.

Core Requirements (12 hours). In consultation with an adviser, students choose from among departmental courses in theatre history, dramatic literature, theory, and criticism.

Elective Requirements (9 hours). Elective courses focus on the academic study of theatre/performance history, theory, and related methodologies. Courses are selected with a graduate adviser to reflect the student's special interest. Some courses may be taken outside the theatre area, for example in Film, English, American Studies, African-American Studies, History, etc.

Secondary Field Requirements (9 hours). Students choose 9 hours at the graduate level from outside the department to assist them in writing the dissertation. Courses are related to the student's proposed specialization. (See examples above under Elective Requirements.)

Production Courses (6 hours). In order to become competent artists as well as developing research scholars, students choose a sequence of graduate courses in either scenography or directing.

Foreign Language or Other Research Skills Requirement. The student must demonstrate (1) proficiency in one foreign language or (2) competence in two foreign languages. For one of the languages under the second option, the student may substitute a specific skill pertinent to the specialty (e.g., computer language, American Sign Language).

Comprehensive Examination (6 hours). The examination includes onsite written responses to questions in history, theory, production, literature/criticism, and the student's specialization, followed by an oral examination. While preparing for the examination, students enroll twice in TH 998 Investigation and Conference (for Doctoral Students).

Dissertation (18 hours). The finished dissertation must constitute a palpable contribution to knowledge in the candidate's chosen field. Following its completion, an oral defense must be held no less than four weeks before the deadline for graduation. The committee consists of one chair, three departmental members, and an outside member.

Normally, the Ph.D. will require 60 hours after the M.A., not including language proficiency and research tool requirement.

All courses must be chosen in consultation with an advisor.

Theatre Doctoral Program Profile

M.A. in Theatre Studies

Candidates for the master's degree in Theatre elect an emphasis in Theatre Studies. The candidate's program begins with the core requirements listed below and culminates in a thesis. To be admitted, a student will ordinarily be expected to have a Graduate Record Examination score of at least 148 (verbal), 144 (quantitative), and 4.5 (analytical writing). Students who took the GRE before the implementation of the analytical writing section (i.e. before October 2002) will be expected to have an analytical score of 148 or above. To complete the M.A., the student must sustain a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher through 33 graduate credit hours.

M.A. in Theatre Studies (33 hours)

Department Core.
To be taken the first semester in residence:
THR 800 Introduction to Graduate Study in Theatre ..........................................................................3

Theatre Studies Core

Methodology:
– THR 702 Theatre Historiography…………… 3
– THR 702 Theory and Criticism……………… 3

Production:
Choose two courses in either directing or scenography: ……………6
A. Directing
– THR 609 Play Directing (3)
– THR 715 Problems and Techniques of Direction (3)
– THR 815 Advanced Play Production (3-6)

B. Scenography
– THR 516 Scene Painting Techniques (3)
– THR 517 Computer-Aided Design (3)
– THR 518 Scenography and the Classic Script (3)
– THR 519 Scenography and the Modern Script (3)
– THR 618 Scenography and the Musical Theatre (3)
– THR 619 Scenography and the Contemporary Script (3)
– THR 620 Scenography and the Experimental Production (3)

General Theatre Studies Concentration
Fifteen hours of courses from graduate offerings in theatre history, dramatic literature, history and criticism: .........15
Of these 15 hours, up to 6 may be graduate courses from other areas such as film studies, child psychology, American studies, African and African-American studies, women's studies, developmental psychology, English, and pertinent offerings from language and culture programs.

Completion of the Degree
An oral examination structured around a thesis based on scholarly and/or creative research:
TH 899 Master's Thesis ..........................................3

All courses must be selected in consultation with the adviser.

The Master of Fine Arts in Scenography at the University of Kansas

MFA in Scenography

What Is Scenography?

The Scenography Program at the University of Kansas has two philosophical principles at its core:

• The Scenography program is based on the premise that theatrical designers in the 21st century must be conversant with all areas of theatre design. Thus, there is one unified course of study in all areas rather than separate programs in set, costume, and lighting design. The aim is to find the areas of commonality and intersection among the separate disciplines. Students master a larger palette of contemporary design possibilities based on the unique seeing process of the age.

• Second, the program is based on the premise that metaphor is the true language of the theatre and of theatrical design. Through a series of carefully structured projects, both in the classroom and on the stage, the program provides students the opportunity to develop the critical and artistic skills that will allow them to create design ideas that go beyond the literal surface of the play into spatial and visual arrangements that are dynamic, resonant, and poetic.

See the video about the KU Scenography program

Admission and Information

To be admitted, a prospective M.F.A. candidate must have a cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of not lower than 3.0 and submit a design portfolio with a resume and three letters of recommendation.

For more information about the M.F.A. in Scenography contact:
Mark Reaney
Head of Theatre Design

1530 Naismith Drive
317 Murphy Hall
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66045
785.864.2690
mreaney@ku.edu.

Course and Credit Distribution Requirements

I. Core Requirement: ADS 730 Directed Reading in Design........................ 3

II. Concentration Requirement  
THR 518 Scenography and the Classic Script......................................................... 3
THR 519 Scenography and the Modern Script....................................................... 3
THR 618 Scenography and the Musical Theatre..................................................... 3 
THR 619 Scenography and the Contemporary Script............................................. 3
THR 620 Scenography and the Experimental Production...................................... 3
THR 719 M.F.A. Production Seminar..................................................................... 6 THR 801
Professional Development Seminar..................................................1
THR 802 Master's Projects...................................................................... 6
THR 819 Advanced M.F.A. Production Seminar................................................... 6  
THR 898 Investigation and Conference (for Master's Students)........................... 6  
THR 899 Master's Thesis......................................................... 2 
Electives: no limit, but a minimum of 15 hours for
a total of 60 hours................. 15

Total Hours: 60

ALL COURSES SHOULD BE SELECTED IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Scenography Faculty

Dennis Christilles dchrist@ku.edu
Delores Ringer ding@ku.edu
Mark Reaney mreaney@ku.edu
Delbert Unruh dunruh@ku.edu

Course Listing

THR 501 Colloquium on American Theatre (1).

THR 508 Fundamentals of Directing (3).

THR 509 Dramatic Script Writing.

THR 512 A Vocal Approach to the Classics (3).

THR 516 Scenic Painting Techniques (3).

THR 517 Computer-aided Design (3).

THR 518 Scenography and the Classic Script (3).

THR 519 Scenography and the Modern Script (3).

THR 520 History of Period Style I (3).

THR 521 History of Period Style II (3).

THR 525 History of Theatre I (3).

THR 526 History of Theatre II (3).

THR 527 Asian Theatre and Performance (3).

THR 528 History of U.S. Theatre and Drama (3).

THR 529 Race and the American Theatre (3).

THR 599 Special Topics in Scenography (1-6).

THR 603 Theatre for Young Audiences (3).

THR 604 Drama With Young People (1-3).

THR 609 Play Directing (3).

THR 617 Computer-aided Design II (3).

THR 618 Scenography and the Musical Theatre (3).

THR 619 Scenography and the Contemporary Script (3).

THR 620 Scenography and the Experimental Production (3).

THR 626 Myth and the Dramatist (3).

THR 702 Graduate Seminar in:______ (3).: Course organized any given semester to study particular subject matter or to take advantage of special competency by an individual faculty member. Topics change as needs and resources develop. Class discussion, readings, and individual projects.
THR 703 Readings in Dramatic Literature (1-3).: Survey of selected dramatic literature and commentaries. May be repeated up to total of six credits on petition.
THR 704 Study Abroad Topics in: _____ (1-6).: This course is designed for the study of special topics in Theatre and Film. Credit for coursework must be arranged through the Office of KU Study Abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
THR 707 Theatre Internship (3-12).: Study with an approved theatre company. Emphasis may be in one or all of the following areas: acting, directing, stage management, technical theatre, promotion management. No more than six hours may be applied to an M.A. degree. Course will be graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
THR 709 Advanced Dramatic Script Writing (3).: The purpose of this course is to permit selected students, by consent of instructor, to develop or continue dramatic writing projects in theatre, film, television, and radio under the individual supervision of the instructor.
THR 711 Styles of Acting: Shakespearean (3).: An approach to acting styles of the period, based on a study of the art, customs, spirit, and the theatre of the times applied to scene studies taken from the works of Shakespeare. Prerequisite: THR 106 and THR 206 or consent of instructor.
THR 713 Styles of Acting: Restoration and 18th-century English (3).: An approach to acting styles of the period, based on a study of the art, customs, spirit, and the theatre of the times applied to scene studies taken from the works of English Restoration dramatists and those 18th century English playwrights writing in the Restoration mode. Prerequisite: THR 106 and THR 206 or consent of instructor.
THR 715 Problems and Techniques of Direction (3).: Practical experience in directing. Prerequisite: THR 609.
THR 719 M.F.A. Production Seminar (3).: To be taken by M.F.A. candidates during those semesters in which they are assigned to design one or more elements in a production to be mounted on one of our stages. Weekly critique and discussion of solutions to practical design problems from conception through execution. May be repeated for a total of no more than six hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
THR 725 Russian Theatre and Drama from Stanislavski and Chekhov to the Present (3).: A study of the development of Russian theatre and dramatic literature from 1898 to the present. Lectures and readings in English. (Same as SLAV 562.)
THR 800 Introduction to Graduate Study in Theatre (3).: Major emphasis is placed upon the principles of research, bibliographical data, and research methods useful in theatre. The course should be taken at the beginning of the graduate student's program.
THR 801 Professional Development Seminar (1).: A series of weekly lecture/discussions led by invited guests both from the university and outside on various topics central to the graduate study of theatre and film.
THR 802 Master's Projects (3-6).: Advanced creative projects which may be elected by master's degree candidates in lieu of thesis.
THR 803 Summer Theatre: Graduate (1-3).: Provides graduate level experience in a wide range of theatre activity related to the summer theatre production or productions. Work may include activity in the following areas: acting, directing, design, technical theatre, voice and/or movement. Specialized skills are developed through individual classes, production preparation, and performance. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
THR 815 Advanced Play Production (1-3).: Individually supervised directing of theatre pieces for public presentation. In special cases credit may be given for musical direction, choreography, or stage management. Prerequisite: THR 715.
THR 817 Theory of Acting and Directing (3).: Readings, lectures, discussions and papers on acting and directing theory; is concerned with the divergence between presentational and representational acting methods and the emergence of directing art. Prerequisite: THR 609 or THR 715.
THR 819 Advanced M.F.A. Production Seminar (3).: Continuation of THR 719. May be repeated for maximum of six hours credit. Prerequisite: Six hours of THR 719 and consent of instructor.
THR 826 Seminar in African Theatre (3).: A study of developments in African theatre in the 20th Century focusing on themes, concepts, styles, and critical perspectives. The course will investigate the idea of an "African theatre" and identify different periods and movements within national and international contexts. The analysis of representative works and authors will be grounded within appropriate theoretical frameworks.
THR 828 Seminar in American Theatre and Drama to 1895 (3).: Intensive investigation of selected topics. Individual study emphasized.
THR 829 Seminar in American Theatre and Drama from 1895 (3).: Intensive investigation of selected topics. Individual study emphasized.
THR 880 Development of Popular Culture of the: _____ (3).: Intensive interdisciplinary examination of popular culture forms and their relationships with the social, political, and economic dynamics of America in a specific decade, with emphasis on theatre, music literature (including magazines and newspapers), and the graphic arts. Decade to be studied changes as resources and needs develop.
THR 898 Investigation and Conference (for Master's Students) (1-8).: Directed research and experimentation in theatre. Limited to eight hours credit toward the Master's degree.
THR 899 Master's Thesis (1-6).
THR 901 Theatre Seminar in: _____ (3).: A graduate seminar devoted to selected historical, theoretical, or critical issues in theatre. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
THR 915 Modern Theatre and Drama (3).: A study of the movements in playwriting and theatrical production in Europe and America from the mid-19th century to World War II. Prerequisite: THR 525 and THR 526 or comparable courses.
THR 916 Postmodern Theatre and Drama (3).: A study of developments in Europe and American playwriting, directing, acting, and design from World War II to the present. Prerequisite: THR 525 and THR 526, or comparable courses, and preferably TH 915.
THR 917 Dramatic Theory I (3).: A survey of dramatic theory from Plato to Lessing.
THR 918 Dramatic Theory II (3).: A survey of dramatic theory from Lessing to Langer.
THR 919 Dramatic Theory Seminar (3).: Study in depth of selected theorists. Offered as determined by faculty availability and student interest.
THR 920 Practicum in Criticism (3).: Contemporary approaches to theatre and drama criticism, including applications to film. Emphasis on actual practice, using a variety of critical methods.
THR 922 Theatre Historiography (3).: This course focuses on the advanced study of research methods, subjects, interpretative paradigms, theoretical frameworks, and philosophies of history employed in contemporary approaches to writing and teaching theater history. Prerequisite: THR 525 and THR 526 or equivalent.
THR 998 Investigation and Conference (for Doctoral Students) (1-8).: Directed research and experimentation in theatre and/or film. Limited to eight hours credit towards the doctoral degree.
THR 999 Doctoral Dissertation (1-12).

The following course is cross-referenced as available to or recommended for students in Theatre:

W S 513 Modern American Women in Film and Literature

How to Apply

Information For Prospective Graduate Students

To apply for admission in Fall 2011, please submit all application materials for admission no later than:

Application Deadlines (MA & Ph.D. applicants):

January 1 to be considered for admission with financial support
February 15 for admission consideration without financial support

MFA Applicants: April 20

The Department does not admit new students in the Spring or Summer terms.

Contact Information:

Graduate Secretary
University of Kansas
Department of Theatre
356 Murphy Hall
1530 Naismith Drive
Lawrence, KS 66045-3140
Phone: 785-864-3511
Email: kuthr@ku.edu

M.A. and Ph.D. Applicants:

To be considered for admission in a given fall semester, prospective graduate students are expected to meet the following minimum standards:

an overall undergraduate GPA of no less than 3.2.
an overall GPA of no less than 3.5 in the major and in previous graduate studies.

International Students:

International students must provide TOEFL scores (at the time of application) and the international I-20 Request Form (to be submitted later if the student is admitted to the program).
International students must have a Test of Spoken English (TSE) Score of 50 or above for Graduate Teaching Assistantship consideration.

Online Submission of Application and Fee

Your Application Form and Application Fee should be submitted online at :http://www.graduate.ku.edu/01-04_apply.shtml (then click on "Apply")

Required Application Materials for M.A. and Ph.D.:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores should be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service. For routing, our institution code is 6871; our department code is 2403. Check with your GRE Examination Center (www.gre.org ) to be certain your scores will arrive at KU by the application deadline.
An official transcript, sent directly to KU, from your baccalaureate granting institution, and transcripts from all institutions attended post-baccalaureate.
Three (3) recent letters of recommendation, two of which should be from your current or former teachers. Completed letters with accompanying forms may be sent directly to the Department by your recommenders or submitted online.
A current resume of academic and artistic experiences. (May be submitted online with your application or mailed to Graduate Secretary.)
A statement of personal goals that explains why you want to pursue graduate study in theatre. (May be submitted online with your application or mailed to Graduate Secretary.)
A writing sample (no more than 15 pages) that demonstrates your ability to theorize, analyze, and synthesize scholarly information. (Please do not send theses, CDs, DVDs, or video tapes.) (May be submitted online with your application or mailed to Graduate Secretary.)

Required Application Materials for M.F.A. in Scenography:

An official transcript, sent directly to KU, from your baccalaureate granting institution, and transcripts from all institutions attended post-baccalaureate.
Three (3) recent letters of recommendation, two of which should be from your current or former teachers and/or those able to recommend you on the basis of professional design experience. Completed letters with accompanying forms may be sent directly to the Department by your recommenders or submitted online.
A current resume of academic and artistic experiences.
A comprehensive statement of your theatre design philosophy and the objective you hope to achieve through graduate study.
Applicants are encouraged to bring their portfolios to campus for an interview and tour of the theatre facilities. Please contact Mark Reaney, Head of Theatre Design, at 785-864-2690 or mreaney@ku.edu to schedule an interview.
Portfolio — CD-ROMs, CDs, DVDs and/or a comprehensive 35mm slide portfolio (including a slide information sheet with name, number of each corresponding slide, title, and date) of your undergraduate and/or professional work must be submitted if you do not visit the program. The portfolio may consist of realized designs, class work or paper projects, drafting and other technical preparation, art or illustration work, or photographs of models. Evidence of CAD is desirable.
A self-addressed return mailer, including return postage, must be submitted or the materials will not be returned.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Qualified students may receive graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) for up to five academic years. A typical GTA appointment involves teaching discussion sections of large lecture classes under the supervision of a faculty member; appointments may also include service as primary instructor for undergraduate courses or other duties assigned by the graduate faculty. Regular assistantships provide a full tuition waiver, health insurance, and an annual stipend of around $13,000 for master's and doctoral students. Base salaries and merit increases for GTAs are set via collective bargaining between the University and the Graduate Teaching Assistants Coalition (GTAC), the campus representative of the Kansas Association of Public Employees (KAPE).