The MFA program in theatre with a concentration in performance re-envisions the role of the artist in society focusing on the devising and development of new work. The program stresses an actor-creator model as well as fostering a critical, conceptual thinker and collaborator by offering skills for developing artistic entrepreneurship, innovating performance applications in multimedia and transdisciplinary collaboration, informed by artistic integrity and social responsibility.

The school offers multiple approaches to new work development:

• connected motion
• devising
• Fitzmaurice voicework
• Lecoq
• new play development
• performance technology
• rasaboxes
• solo and collaborative performance
• Viewpoints

In addition to core physical and vocal training, the program offers a rich variety of guest artists each semester, undergraduate-level teaching opportunities, study abroad opportunities, funding for national and international conference travel, and career development internship opportunities.

During the third year of study, candidates conduct professional career development internships. In the past, students have completed internships at:

• Chicago Dramatist Theatre
• Cleveland Playhouse
• Dah Theatre, Belgrade, Serbia
• Hartford Stage
• North Coast Rep
• One Yellow Rabbit
• SITI Company
• Synetic Theatre
• Theatre L'Homme Dieu
• The Bali Purnati Art Centre
• Victory Gardens

Eight performers will be admitted to the cohort every three years.