Master of Fine Arts in Acting
Every other year, The Theatre Conservatory will admit ten gifted students into its M.F.A. program in Acting. Working with a professional faculty, these ten students will have a three-year intensive training experience. In addition to opportunities such as internships, a graduate showcase, and a thesis project, each student will actively participate in a component of professional service to the conservatory. The next class will enter in Fall 2010.
First Year
| Course ID | Course Title | Credits | Course Description | Semester |
| THAR 452 |
Advanced Acting: Technique |
3 |
In-depth exploration of the various aspects of acting technique. Survey of major acting techniques and practical applications. |
Fall |
| THAR 432 |
Advanced Vocal& Physical Preparation I |
1 |
In-depth work on the performer's resources of voice and body. Exercises in relaxation, physical awareness, and coordination focus on alignment, breath, and vocal production. |
Fall |
| THAR 403 |
Dramaturgy |
3 |
Script selection and analysis, dramatic theory, dramaturgy, and other "prerehearsal" considerations of the text. |
Fall |
| THAR 450 |
Rehearsal and Performance |
0 |
Supervised rehearsal and performance time. Admission by audition only. Semester hours assigned according to role or function; may be repeated up to eight sem hrs |
Fall |
| THAR 099 |
Performance Attendance |
0 |
Attendance at music and theatre performances in the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Required of all undergraduate majors for six semesters. Grade P/F. (0) |
Fall |
| THAR 409 |
Conditioning |
0 |
To be taken every semester |
Fall |
| PERF 416 |
Ensemble Singing |
1 |
A description of PERF 416 is not currently in the course catalog. It may be a new course whose description has not yet been entered into the database. An academic advisor or the Dean's Office may be able to furnish more information. |
Fall |
| THAR 453 |
Advanced Acting: Scene Study |
3 |
The work of technique applied to an in-depth analysis of contemporary scenes and plays. Survey of major approaches to scene study and practical applications. |
Fall |
| THAR 433 |
dvanced Vocal& Physical Preparation II |
3 |
More complex aspects of breath, sound, and specialized physical skills and techniques. Focus on the actor's creative process as the integrating link of the voice, body, emotions, and intellect. |
Fall |
| THAR 441 |
Stage Management |
3 |
|
Fall |
| THAR 484 |
Advanced Theatre Studies: Performance of Literature |
1 |
A description of THAR 484 is not currently in the course catalog. It may be a new course whose description has not yet been entered into the database. An academic advisor or the Dean's Office may be able to furnish more information. |
Fall |
| THAR 450 |
Rehearsal and Performance |
0 |
Supervised rehearsal and performance time. Admission by audition only. Semester hours assigned according to role or function; may be repeated up to eight sem hrs |
Fall |
| THAR 099 |
Performance Attendance |
0 |
Attendance at music and theatre performances in the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Required of all undergraduate majors for six semesters. Grade P/F. |
Fall |
| THAR 409 |
THAR 409 |
0 |
To be taken every semester. |
Fall |
Second Year
| Course ID | Course Title | Credits | Course Description | Semester |
| THAR 434 |
Advanced Vocal & Physical Preparation III: Shakespeare |
3 |
Development of vocal and physical skills necessary to fulfill the demands of classical texts, particularly the works of William Shakespeare. |
Spring |
| THAR 475 |
Advanced Vocal & Physical Preparation: Comedy and Character |
3 |
|
Spring |
| THAR 484 |
Advanced Theatre Studies: Acting |
2 |
A description of THAR 484 is not currently in the course catalog. It may be a new course whose description has not yet been entered into the database. An academic advisor or the Dean's Office may be able to furnish more information. |
Spring |
| THAR 492 |
Advanced Theatre History I |
0 |
Advanced study of theatre history, theory, and criticism combined with appropriate theatre literature to 1660. |
Spring |
| THAR 450 |
Rehearsal and Performance |
0 |
Supervised rehearsal and performance time. Admission by audition only. Semester hours assigned according to role or function; may be repeated up to eight sem hrs |
Spring |
| THAR 099 |
Performance Attendance |
0 |
Attendance at music and theatre performances in the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Required of all undergraduate majors for six semesters. Grade P/F. |
Spring |
| THAR 409 |
Conditioning |
0 |
To be taken every semester. |
Spring |
| THAR 487 |
Shakespeare in Performance |
3 |
Detailed study of two or three selected plays. Plays may vary from semester to semester; emphasis on script analysis for verse performance and style. |
Spring |
| THAR 481 |
Asian Theatre |
3 |
|
Spring |
| THAR 493 |
Advanced Theatre History II |
3 |
Advanced study of theatre history, theory, and criticism combined with appropriate theatre literature from 1660 to the present. |
Spring |
| THAR 471 |
Stage Combat I |
3 |
Basic techniques of stage combat including hand-to-hand, falls, rolls, flips, and dives. |
Spring |
| THAR 450 |
Rehearsal and Performance |
0 |
Supervised rehearsal and performance time. Admission by audition only. Semester hours assigned according to role or function; may be repeated up to eight sem hrs |
Spring |
| THAR 099 |
Performance Attendance |
0 |
Attendance at music and theatre performances in the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Required of all undergraduate majors for six semesters. Grade P/F. |
Spring |
| THAR 409 |
Conditioning |
0 |
To be taken every semester. |
Spring |
Third Year
| Course ID | Course Title | Credits | Course Description | Semester |
| THAR 420 |
Acting for the Musical Stage |
3 |
Analysis of book, music, and lyrics and their relationship in musical theatre performance. Lectures, demonstrations, and individually critiqued performances from musical theatre repertoire. Individual coaching in master class setting; emphasis on vocal technique and stage movement. |
Summer |
| THAR 440 |
Audition/Theatre Business |
3 |
Critiques of prepared audition material and guest lectures by theatre professionals. Preparation of individual theatrical resume, photos, and notebooks of audition-ready monologues. |
Summer |
| THAR 430 |
Acting on Camera I |
3 |
Adapting stage acting techniques for camera; focus on work for film including improvisations, monologues, and scenes from plays. |
Summer |
| THAR 450 |
Rehearsal and Performance |
0 |
Supervised rehearsal and performance time. Admission by audition only. Semester hours assigned according to role or function; may be repeated up to eight sem hrs |
Summer |
| THAR 099 |
Performance Attendance |
0 |
Attendance at music and theatre performances in the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Required of all undergraduate majors for six semesters. Grade P/F. |
Summer |
| THAR 494 |
Thesis Project |
3 |
Culminating project for MFA degrees in theatre and for the MA Fast Track in directing. See information regarding additional hours required in outline of each degree program. |
Summer |
| THAR 488 |
Advanced Acting: Period Styles |
3 |
Acting styles required for period plays from Greeks to Shaw. |
Summer |
| THAR 435 |
Advanced Vocal & Physical Preparation IV: Dialects |
3 |
Stage dialects most needed by performers on the contemporary stage. |
Summer |
| THAR 473 |
Stage Combat II |
3 |
Stage combat employing weaponry including basic fencing, rapier, dagger, and broad sword. |
Summer |
| THAR 431 |
Acting on Camera II |
3 |
Adapting stage acting techniques for camera; focus on work for television and commercials. |
Summer |
| THAR 450 |
Rehearsal and Performance |
0 |
Supervised rehearsal and performance time. Admission by audition only. Semester hours assigned according to role or function; may be repeated up to eight sem hrs |
Summer |
| THAR 099 |
Performance Attendance |
0 |
Attendance at music and theatre performances in the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Required of all undergraduate majors for six semesters. Grade P/F. |
Summer |
**Theatre History I & II and History of Musical Theatre, are offered every other year, as indicated in the variable courses for this year.
