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:

THTR 5012American Musical Theater2
THTR 5287Rehearsal/Performance2
THTR 5392The Business of the Business in Theater2
THTR 5804Dramaturgy2
THTR 5873Adaptation 11-2
THTR 5892Script and Score Analysis2
THTR 8001Seminar in Dramatic Literature2
THTR 8002Seminar in Dramatic Literature2
THTR 8985Teach in Higher Education3
THTR 9487Musical Theater Practicum III1
THTR 9587Musical Theater Practicum IV 22-3
THTR 9995Thesis6
General Electives 312
Total Credit Hours39-41
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

THTR 5487Musical Theater Practicum I1
THTR 5587Musical Theater Practicum II1
THTR 5871Playwriting I1
THTR 5872Playwriting II2
THTR 5893Lyric Seminar I3
THTR 5894Lyric Seminar II4
THTR 8881Playwriting III2
THTR 8882Playwriting IV2
THTR 9882Projects in Playwriting2
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 Hours20

Composing/Lyricist Concentration

MUST 8715Composition I3
MUST 8717Composition II4
THTR 5487Musical Theater Practicum I1
THTR 5587Musical Theater Practicum II1
THTR 5893Lyric Seminar I3
THTR 5894Lyric Seminar II4
General Elective 13
Total Credit Hours19
1

Consult with the program director to ensure selection of an appropriate elective.

Directing Concentration

THTR 5134Directing for the Musical Stage4
THTR 5387Directing Practicum I2
THTR 5388Directing Practicum II3
THTR 9382Projects in Directing I2
THTR 9387Directing Practicum III2
Select one Design Area course from the following or a general elective: 13
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 24
Total Credit Hours20
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.