COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in Theatre at The University of Alabama is a 60-credit-hour professional graduate degree designed under a Plan II (non-thesis) structure and requires sustained academic, creative, and production engagement across multiple years of study. Students whose undergraduate preparation shows deficiencies may be required to complete additional undergraduate coursework, although such courses do not count toward the graduate degree and are taken alongside graduate requirements within allowable credit limits. Progression through the program is closely monitored, and continuation is contingent upon annual faculty review of academic performance and production work; students may be placed on probation following review, with only one semester permitted to regain good standing, ensuring consistent professional and academic development. The program is built around a structured core curriculum emphasizing theatre history, theory, criticism, and applied production practice. Required coursework includes foundational study in areas such as costume history for the stage, script analysis and interpretation, and comprehensive historical surveys of theatre development across periods including classical traditions, modern movements, and contemporary theatre practices. Students also engage in specialized seminars exploring topics such as American feminist theatre, stage design history, directing practices, and contemporary theatrical theory, allowing them to build both analytical and creative perspectives on performance arts. In addition to academic coursework, the MFA emphasizes extensive experiential learning through advanced practicum courses taken across multiple semesters, ensuring continuous hands-on involvement in theatrical production, collaboration, and applied performance work. A culminating capstone experience integrates the student’s learning across all areas of study, demonstrating professional readiness and artistic maturity. Collectively, the program is designed to develop highly skilled theatre practitioners capable of excelling in acting, directing, design, or academic pathways within the performing arts industry, while also fostering critical thinking, creative innovation, and sustained artistic growth within a structured and mentorship-driven environment.