About the Playwriting MFA

The Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting is a three year program that trains and nurtures dramatists whose purpose is to transform the way we see and understand the world.

Playwriting faculty includes successful writers whose work has been professionally produced throughout the country. In the first year, playwrights complete two short plays and a full length play. In the second year, playwrights complete a second full length play, a One Person play, and an additional writing project such as an adaptation for the stage or a screenplay. The third year typically includes an internship with a professional theater or film studio, or comparative environment.

Typically student written plays are selected for further development through a process that may include one or more of the following: classroom discussion, staged readings, an intensive dramaturgical process, a script development workshop with directors, actors and designers culminating in studio workshop productions, or full production. When scheduled, student plays may be selected for inclusion in the Department's Francis Ford Coppola One Act Marathon or New Play Festival. Playwriting area studio projects and readings are generously supported by the Marianne Murphy Women & Philanthropy Award in Playwriting. In addition, the Audrey Skirball-Kenis Foundation has provided generous Playwriting Fellowships.

Degree Requirements

Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve units per quarter. Required courses will be scheduled to permit completion of the program within a three-year period. In addition to the successful completion of 94 units, candidates for the degree must pass annual comprehensive reviews and critical evaluations of writing projects to date. A minimum of 82 units must be at the graduate level, and a maximum of 12 units of 596 courses may be applied toward the degree.

Students admitted to the program are expected to have mastered skills and have a general knowledge of the materials and processes relevant to their field of study. Students may be required to complete additional courses upon recommendation of their advisor.

The Master of Fine Arts degree is awarded on the basis of successful completion of the required courses and critical evaluation of student work. The Department expects consistent progress as well as attainment of professional skills. These and other factors will also influence the Department's allocation of production resources including the number, scale and scheduling of projects and studio productions.

230A

Writing for Contemporary Theater: The One Act Play

230B

Writing for Contemporary Theater: The Full Length Play

230C

Writing for Contemporary Theater: Performance and Text

231

Special Topics in Playwriting

430ABC

Advanced Studies in Playwriting

431

Special Topics in Playwriting

432

Adaptation or Screenwriting

Studio Courses

C433ABC

Script Development Workshop

472

Production and Performance

498

Internship

Select Three From:

121

Acting Workshop

174

Techniques of Stage Managing

205ABC

Background of Theatrical Arts

245A

Production Planning in Theater