Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 60
Required Courses:
In Year 1, foundation coursework is taken. In Year 2, thesis project teams are formed and collaboration begins. In Year 3, the thesis projects are completed, presented and showcased for industry.
All students enrolled in a cohort of the Musical Theater Collaboration MFA program take the following core courses together:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THTR 5012 | American Musical Theater | 2 |
| THTR 5287 | Rehearsal/Performance | 2 |
| THTR 5392 | The Business of the Business in Theater | 2 |
| THTR 5804 | Dramaturgy | 2 |
| THTR 5873 | Adaptation 1 | 1-2 |
| THTR 5892 | Script and Score Analysis | 2 |
| THTR 8001 | Seminar in Dramatic Literature | 2 |
| THTR 8002 | Seminar in Dramatic Literature | 2 |
| THTR 8985 | Teach in Higher Education | 3 |
| THTR 9487 | Musical Theater Practicum III | 1 |
| THTR 9587 | Musical Theater Practicum IV 2 | 2-3 |
| THTR 9995 | Thesis | 6 |
| General Electives 3 | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 39-41 | |
- 1
Students in the Bookwriting concentration take THTR 5873 for 1 credit; students in the Composing/Lyricist and Directing concentrations take this course for 2 credits.
- 2
Students in the Directing concentration take THTR 9587 for 2 credits; students in the Bookwriting and Composing/Lyricist concentrations take this course for 3 credits.
- 3
Consult with the program director to ensure selection of appropriate electives.
The balance of coursework annually is taken by students in their respective areas of concentration:
Bookwriting Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THTR 5487 | Musical Theater Practicum I | 1 |
| THTR 5587 | Musical Theater Practicum II | 1 |
| THTR 5871 | Playwriting I | 1 |
| THTR 5872 | Playwriting II | 2 |
| THTR 5893 | Lyric Seminar I | 3 |
| THTR 5894 | Lyric Seminar II | 4 |
| THTR 8881 | Playwriting III | 2 |
| THTR 8882 | Playwriting IV | 2 |
| THTR 9882 | Projects in Playwriting | 2 |
| Select one Design Area course from the following: | 2 | |
THTR 5613 | History of Decor | |
THTR 5625 | History of Fashion | |
THTR 5741 | Design for TV and Film | |
THTR 8511 | Lighting Design II | |
THTR 8611 | Costume Design II | |
THTR 8711 | Scene Design II | |
| Total Credit Hours | 20 | |
Composing/Lyricist Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUST 8715 | Composition I | 3 |
| MUST 8717 | Composition II | 4 |
| THTR 5487 | Musical Theater Practicum I | 1 |
| THTR 5587 | Musical Theater Practicum II | 1 |
| THTR 5893 | Lyric Seminar I | 3 |
| THTR 5894 | Lyric Seminar II | 4 |
| General Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 19 | |
- 1
Consult with the program director to ensure selection of an appropriate elective.
Directing Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THTR 5134 | Directing for the Musical Stage | 4 |
| THTR 5387 | Directing Practicum I | 2 |
| THTR 5388 | Directing Practicum II | 3 |
| THTR 9382 | Projects in Directing I | 2 |
| THTR 9387 | Directing Practicum III | 2 |
| Select one Design Area course from the following or a general elective: 1 | 3 | |
THTR 5613 | History of Decor | |
THTR 5625 | History of Fashion | |
THTR 5741 | Design for TV and Film | |
THTR 8511 | Lighting Design II | |
THTR 8611 | Costume Design II | |
THTR 8711 | Scene Design II | |
General Elective | ||
| Film Course 2 | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 20 | |
- 1
Consult with the program director in choosing an elective if a Design Area course is not selected.
- 2
Consult with the program director to ensure selection of an appropriate film course.
Culminating Events:
Thesis Project:
The cohort creates a complete new musical culminating in a fully rehearsed workshop production. It is written by MFA candidate book writers and composers/lyricists, with subsequent direction by MFA candidate directors.
Showcase:
An industry showcase of students’ selected work is presented in New York City to an invited roster of industry and field professionals. Funded in part by the George and Joy Abbott Center for Musical Theater at Temple University, the showcase consists of a short concert-style presentation featuring selected performed excerpts from the candidates’ body of original work.