University of Pittsburgh

 Department of Theatre Arts

Graduate Study in Theatre Arts

The Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Pittsburgh offers an array of programs that allow graduate students to study theatre in both performance and academic contexts. All faculty members are active in both teaching and artistic or research activities, and the department's lab—the University of Pittsburgh Repertory Theatre—offers a great range of opportunities to act, direct, and design in three separate venues (for more information on performance spaces, visit the Performance Spaces page.)

The department, founded in 1982, offers a BA, MA, MFA, and PhD in theatre arts. The MA and PhD programs involve students in practical as well as critical, theoretical, and historical education, sustaining our mission of providing the widest-possible spectrum of educational and training opportunities to future scholars and artists.

Who are our current graduate students, and what are they working on? Find out here.

MA in Theatre and Performance Studies

A concentrated program that emphasizes research and dramatic literature. Many of our MA students have continued study in notable PhD programs, including our own. Application deadline January 15, 2010.

Combined MA/PhD Program

For highly qualified students who have a BA. These students proceed to the doctoral degree more efficiently, receiving their MA en-route. Application deadline January 15, 2010.

PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies

Our goal is to forge students who will be philosophers of theatre—those who think about theatre as a cultural process separate from literature or other forms of communication. Seminars emphasizing theatre history, criticism, dramatic literature, theory, and performance studies form the core of the program. To help PhD candidates obtain fulfilling teaching positions, we have designed a Special Option Program in which students practice a theatrical skill while working toward their degrees. In addition to numerous production and teaching opportunities for students pursuing a PhD, Pitt features several interdisciplinary options and offers generous financial aid. Application deadline January 15, 2010.

MFA in Performance Pedagogy

The Performance Pedagogy MFA program was created to provide the opportunity for working professionals in the theater who have not completed graduate education to expand their employment opportunities into the field of educational theater. The degree is designed to equip the student to teach acting and related topics at the college and university level. It is based on the premise that a professional artist already has a level of craft that can be drawn upon to create a good teacher. Therefore, emphasis in coursework is placed on the techniques of teaching acting, movement, or voice with additional coursework designed to enhance the student's background in theater history, literature, and criticism. Optional courses for continued professional development are available as well. Please note: MFA candidates are accepted every two years. Application deadline for the academic year beginning August 2010 is February 15, 2010.

Doctoral Fellowships

Doctoral candidates in theatre arts are eligible for a significant number of fellowships, such as the Provost's Humanities Fellowship and the Andrew Mellon Pre-doctoral Fellowship. Qualifications for these fellowships include outstanding undergraduate record and potential for doctoral study, life achievement, and membership in a minority group under-represented in advanced graduate study. Time is of the essence in applying for these fellowships; all applications must be completed and in the hands of the theatre-arts department by January 5, 2010.

If you believe you may qualify for one of these fellowships, fill out the Pre-Application Form and contact Attilio Favorini, Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of Theatre Arts.

Financial Aid

We have a number of assistantships and fellowships available involving teaching, technical work, assistance to senior members of faculty, and combined duties. Most students receiving aid are granted partial assistantships to free up their time and to support as many students as possible. Assistants and fellows receive scholarships covering all or some tuition and University fees, in addition to their stipends. Note that the University assistantships and fellowships normally provide support for the eight months of the academic year only. Though the department can offer support in the summer, there is no assurance of this.

Consideration for financial aid requires that ALL application materials be completed and received before the following date(s):

Fall Term, February 15 (starting in September)

* Applications received after these dates will only be considered if places remain in our programs. (Usually it is not possible to grant financial aid to late applicants.)

More Information

Additional information :

Connie Markiw
Graduate Admissions/Department Secretary
Department of Theatre Arts
1617 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624-0466