 | ||
|
Theater Arts Graduate Academic
Programs Choose one of the following concentrations to learn more information about it:
Master of Fine Arts Program in Playwriting Playwriting and new play production at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, are brought together in the MFA Playwriting program, a three-year program that requires a minimum of 70 credits, designed to thoroughly ground the student in the craft of theater writing as well as the collaborative process by which scripts reach the stage. Regular small group and individual instruction is supported by script-in-hand readings, workshops and full productions as scripts reach appropriate stages of development. Besides courses in playwriting, students study dramatic literature, criticism, script analysis, directing, and other related subjects. Each student will complete at least one literary management internship at a professional theater and take three television or screenwriting courses. All first year MFA students take Theatrical Genome, a two semester theater history, theater theory, and script analysis sequence. All second year MFA students study one play per week in a two semester dramatic literature course. Students making good progress will have a script produced before a public audience in each of the first and second years. Completion of the MFA program may be accompanied by the production of a full-length thesis play, which may be staged either during the student's third year or thereafter, if the script has developed sufficiently to allow the faculty to assign it a place in the production calendar. Alternatively, the play may be given a public reading. Because Rutgers is so close to New York City, productions originating in New Brunswick can and sometimes do move to New York as well as earn notice elsewhere. Rutgers playwrights are regularly represented at the annual Samuel French new play competition. About Rutgers Theater Company The Mason Gross School of the Arts' Theater Arts Department combines rigorous studio class work with a demanding production schedule to provide students with in-depth training and practice in theater. The Rutgers Theater Company is a resident company of student actors, designers, directors, playwrights, stage managers and technicians whose work is guided by master teachers and accomplished professionals. Rutgers Theater Company fully produces a seven-play mainstage season consisting of classics, modern dramatic and new works each year. Each play runs for 8 to 14 performances in one of our two main 335 seat theaters. The Jameson Project presents a series of plays directed by the MFA directing students in an eight to ten play season that includes provocative and relevant contemporary, full length plays and one acts as well the world premieres of three one act plays each year. The plays are fully rehearsed and produced on a set of aluminum and wood modules for a total of 6 performances. In addition there are numerous studio projects performed in the department's three acting studios. Guest Artists Guest instructors and lecturers in dramatic writing have included Ken Fitts (Head of the Proctor & Gamble Writer Development Program), James Ryan (Head of Playwriting, the New School), Playwright/TV writer/producer Eric Overmyer, Playwright Bruce Graham, TV/film producer/writer Bernie DeLeo, Playwright Adam Rapp, TV producer Chris Scherer, Susan Miller (Trials of Rosie O'Neill), playwright Jeffrey Sweet and Emmy-winner George Lefferts.
For further information please contact: Lee Blessing Email: LKBlessing@aol.com The Theater Arts Department participates in the University/Resident Theater Association (U/RTA) National Unified Finals. Interviews are also held by appointment at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Admission to all programs requires an interview and a portfolio review. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is dedicated by law and by purpose to serving all people on an equal and nondiscriminatory basis. | ||
 | ||