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

Please note that the MFA Directing program now has an earlier application deadline.

UofA Calendar description of the program

How to Apply

Contact an Advisor