The University of Central Florida’s School of Performing Arts offers a Master of Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre. The program is moving to a fully online platform beginning Summer 2021. The focus of this program is on the pedagogy and methodology of musical theatre. The M.A. Theatre/Musical Theatre Concentration program provides developing theatre scholars and middle school, high school, and community college teachers the opportunity to strengthen skills and knowledge of musical theatre beyond the undergraduate level.
The M.A. Theatre/Musical Theatre Concentration provides a combination of theoretical study and practical performance training. Its purpose, however, is not to train persons for professional performance careers in the arts and entertainment industry. M.A. students typically pursue a variety of goals: increasing specific theatrical skills, extending theatre skills into new areas, or, in the case of educators, expanding their expertise and credentials
The program runs on a two-year cycle, with interviews for the program occurring every other year. Interviews begin Fall 2020 for a Summer 2021 start. Minimum requirements for admission are a B.A. or B.F.A. degree, preferably in theatre or a related performance field. Each student interested in the program must apply to and be accepted by the UCF College of Graduate Studies. Students also need to submit to the Theatre Department the application materials required by that department
Students must submit application materials to UCF's Graduate Studies and the Department of Theatre by the final deadline in order to be considered for this program. The University of Central Florida employs an online application process which can be accessed at www.graduate.ucf.edu. Additional materials must be submitted directly to the Theatre Department
Application deadline is Friday, April 2, 2021.
Any questions about these requirements should be directed to Earl D. Weaver, Coordinator of Musical Theatre, at Earl.Weaver@ucf.edu.
NOTE: Statement of Purpose, Headshot/Photo, Resume, Letters of Recommendation and Transcripts can be sent as PDFs in an email to Earl.Weaver@ucf.edu or mailed via U.S. postal service directly to:
Earl D. Weaver
Coordinator of Musical Theatre
University of Central Florida
School of Performing Arts/Theatre Department
12488 Centaurus Blvd.
Orlando, Florida 32816Letters of recommendation and copies of transcripts can be the same as what is submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies. However, you will need to send separate copies of those documents to the Theatre Department, as we do not have access to materials submitted through the online application process.
Once all Theatre Department application materials are received, an in-person interview will be scheduled with the Coordinator.
There are no graduate assistantships associated with this program. All students will be required to finance coursework requirements on their own.
On-campus housing is not available during the summer sessions. Students will be responsible for finding their own living accommodations while studying on campus.
Coursework for the M.A. Theatre/Musical Theatre Concentration will include study and application of Estill Voice Technique, Musical Theatre Directing, Research Methods, Acting Methodologies, Musical Theatre Dance Composition/Choreography, and Script/Score Analysis.
Course requirements will be completed during two 6-week summer intensives of face-to-face classes on the UCF campus (mid-June through July) combined with project-oriented theatre practicums and online coursework during the academic year. Completion of 39 graduate-level credit hours, including a Master’s Thesis, are required for the program.
Required courses:
Class | Name | Credits |
THE 5910 | Research Methods in Theatre | 3 |
THE 5945L | Theatre Practicum 1 | 1 |
THE 5946L | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
THE 6756 | Methods of Teaching Drama (MT Curriculum Development) |
3 |
THE 6918 | Directed Research | 1 |
THE 6947 | Theatre Practicum 3 | 1 |
THE 6971 | Thesis | 9 |
TPP 5554 | MT Dance 1 (Principles of Choreography) |
2 |
TPP 5754 | MT Voice 1 (Estill 1) | 2 |
THE 6344 | Musical Theatre Directing | 3 |
TPP 6755 | MT Voice 2 (Estill 2) | 2 |
TPP 6933 | Acting Studio 5 (Acting Methodologies) |
2 |
Electives | 9 | |
39 |
Elective options:
INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECTS: | ||
THE 6908 | Independent Study | 6 max. |
ONLINE ELECTIVE COURSES: | ||
THE 5237 | Cultural Diversity | 3 |
THE 5425 | Women in Theatre | 3 |
THE 5215 | Global Theatre | 3 |
THE 5545 | Theatre for Social Change | 3 |
FACE-TO-FACE ACADEMIC YEAR OPTIONS: | ||
MUG 6106 | Advanced Conducting 1 | 3 |
MUH 5356 | 18th Century Music | 3 |
MUH 5375 | Music Since 1900 | 3 |
MUS 5677 | Wellness for the Performer | 3 |
MUT 5316 | Orchestration | 3 |
MVV 5651 | Vocal Pedagogy | 2 |
THE 5205 | American Theatre | 3 |
THE 5288 | Period Cost., Arch, Décor I | 3 |
THE 5289 | Period Cost., Arch., Décor II | 3 |
THE 5307 | Contemporary Theatre | 3 |
THE 5385 | Dramatic Lit. for Children | 3 |
THE 6308 | Script and Score Analysis | 3 |
THE 6507 | Drama Theory/Criticism | 3 |
TPA 5085 | Design Seminar | 2 |
TPA 5345 | 2D CAD for Thea (Elec) | 2 |
TPA 5346 | ACAD 3D Thea (Elec) | 2 |
TPA 5405 | Theatre Management | 3 |
TPA 5885 | Puppetry | 3 |
TPP 5248 | Storytelling | 3 |
Breakdown of Course Study Sessions:
SUMMER 1 (8 Credits) | ||
THE 5910 | Research Methods in Theatre | 3 |
TPP 5554 | MT Dance 1 (Principles of Choreography) |
2 |
TPP 5754 | MT Voice 1 (Estill 1) | 2 |
TPP 6344 | Musical Theatre Directing | 3 |
SUMMER 2 (9 Credits) | ||
THE 6756 | Methods of Teaching Drama (MT Curriculum Development) |
3 |
TPP 6755 | MT Voice 2 (Estill 2) | 2 |
TPP 6933 | Acting Studio 5 (Acting Methodologies) |
2 |
ACADEMIC YEAR COURSES (22 Credits) | ||
THE 5945L | Theatre Practicum 1 | 1 |
THE 5946L | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
THE 6947 | Theatre Practicum 3 | 1 |
THE 6918 | Directed Research | 1 |
THE 6971 | Thesis | 9 |
Electives | 9 |
**Note: Students may choose from the list of electives avaialable to them. The program is structured to provide students the option of completing online or directed research/independent study courses during the academic year, or they can elect to participate in face-to-face course offerings, if their schedule allows.
Summer courses are held Monday through Friday during the 6-week UCF Summer B session (mid-June to the last week of July) as follows:
Summer One:
9:00–10:20 a.m. | THE 5910, Research Methods |
10:30–11:50 a.m. | TPP 5754, Musical Theatre Voice 1 |
12:00–1:00 p.m. | Lunch Break |
1:00–2:20 p.m. | TPP 6344, Musical Theatre Directing |
2:30–3:50 p.m. | TPP 5554, Musical Theatre Dance 1 |
Summer Two:
9:00–10:20 a.m. | TPP 6933, Acting Studio 5 |
10:30–11:50 a.m. | TPP 6755, Musical Theatre Voice 2 |
12:00–1:00 p.m. | Lunch Break |
1:00–2:20 p.m. | THE 6756, Methods of Teaching Drama |