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Theater Arts Graduate Academic
Programs Choose one of the following concentrations to learn more information about it:
Master of Fine Arts Program in Stage Management YEAR I - Core first year courses include stage management, directing, and sound. Stage managers audit acting classes to assure an understanding of the actor's language. Students generally assist on a main stage play in the first semester. Second semester production assignments are made on the basis of the student's readiness to take on full responsibility for a production. All first year MFA students take Introduction to The Theatrical Genome, a two-semester theater history, theory and script analysis sequence. All stage managers work in shops for 8 hours per week when they are not stage managing to assure a thorough understanding of professional production standards. YEAR II - Second year students generally stage manage two plays. Students continue with the advanced stage management seminar and take a selection of elected design, technical, combat and Laban notation classes to fill out the student's theatrical and technical background. All second year MFA students study one play per week in a two-semester dramatic literature course. Shop work continues for eight hours per week when students are not stage managing. YEAR III - The last year has two parts, one in residence at Rutgers and the other at a full time professional internship that bridges the gap between the academic and professional worlds. MFA candidates stage manage a thesis production with the Rutgers Theater Company during the residence semester. Shop work continues during the residence sememster. The Internship - Students plan an internship with their advisor in a professional situation that will further the student's professional goals and provide both experience and contacts. Students have interned with major companies all over the United States as production assistants, and assistant stage managers including Broadway, Off Broadway, Lincoln Center, Trinity Repertory in Rhode Island, The Roundabout Theater, New York City Opera, La Jolla Playhouse, The Goodman Theater in Chicago, The Guthrie Theater in Minnesota, Williamstown Theater Festival, The Acting Company, The McCarter Theater, Paper Mill Playhouse, Manhattan Theater Club, New York talent agencies, ABC Casting, Disney (Florida and Broadway), Madison Square Garden, and Dodger Touring Limited (D-Tours), among others. Students have often been hired directly out of an internship. 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.
For further information please contact: Carol Thompson Email: cmthompy@masongross.rutgers.edu 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. | ||
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The stage management program at the Mason Gross School
of the Arts at Rutgers, The State University of New
Jersey, provides professional training for students
pursuing a career as a professional stage manager. The
MFA program requires a three year, full-time residency
and a minimum of 70 credits. Rigorous coursework and
extensive production experience are combined to provide
the stage management candidate with a well rounded background
in stage, production and theater management, directing
and acting, as well as design and technology. Students
begin as assistant stage managers and then are given
full responsibility to stage manage, tech, run and maintain
fully produced plays with professional directors.