The Master of Arts in Theatre and Performance Studies helps students to begin developing a broad, comparative grasp of the major methods, approaches and protocols currently used in both the study and practice of theatre and performance.  Special emphasis is placed on (1) an analytic understanding of theatre history and similar genres of performance, (2) the ability to critically engage the practical protocols, past and present, that have been influential in the creation and study of theatrical art and performance, and (3) the capacity to understand socio-cultural contexts that influence theatre scholarship and practice.

The M.A. helps to prepare students for leadership roles in a wide array of community, regional, and national arts organizations. The M.A. degree also provides students with a strong foundation to transition to a doctoral program. 

Please visit the Department of Theatre and Dance’s Graduate Resource page for more information. 

Admission to Graduate Studies

Admission Requirements

• All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy. 

• Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.  

• English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required. 

Graduate Admissions

Our holistic application evaluations are based on several criteria: grades, the strength of recommendation letters, written or portfolio samples, previous experience and the fit of your interests with our program. A full list of application materials and deadlines is available on The Department of Theatre and Dance's admission pages. The Department of Theatre and Dance does not admit new students for the Spring or Summer terms. 

The completed application should be submitted online.

Contact Information

Graduate Program Coordinator
University of Kansas
Department of Theatre & Dance
356 Murphy Hall
1530 Naismith Drive
Lawrence, KS 66045
Email: cassandrajim@ku.edu

M.A. Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Theatre and Performance Studies is an academic degree, but students are expected to complete 6 hours in theatrical production. All M.A. students must write a thesis as the culmination of the degree. At least 50% of the coursework required for the MA degree must be taken at the 700 level or above.

To complete the M.A., the student must sustain a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher through 33 graduate credit hours. Up to 6 hours of additional courses in a foreign language or research skills may be required by your advisor.

Requirements for the M.A. in Theatre and Performance Studies

All courses should be selected in consultation with the graduate advisor.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Core Requirement
THR 800	Introduction to Graduate Study in Theatre	3
In consultation with an advisor, students choose from among departmental courses in theatre history, dramatic literature, theory, and criticism		6
Production - Select two courses in either directing, scenography, dance, or dramaturgy:		6
A. Directing
THR 710	The Art of Directing
THR 715	Problems and Techniques of Direction
THR 815	Advanced Play Production
B. Scenography
THR 516	Scenic Painting Techniques
THR 517	Computer-Aided Design
THR 720	Scenography and the Classic Script
THR 721	Scenography and the Modern and Contemporary Script
THR 820	Scenography and the Musical Theatre
THR 822	Scenography and the Experimental Production
C. Dramaturgy or Dance
THR 702	Graduate Seminar in: _____
General Theatre Studies
Select 15 hours of courses from graduate offerings in theatre history, dramatic literature, history and criticism: Of these 15 hours, up to 6 may be graduate courses from other areas such as film and media studies; child psychology; American studies; African and African-American studies; women, gender, and sexuality studies; developmental psychology; English; and pertinent offerings from language and culture programs.		15
Completion of the Degree
An oral examination structured around a thesis based on scholarly and/or creative research:
THR 899	Master's Thesis	3
Total Hours		33

The final examination consists of an oral examination upon completion of a thesis that is accepted by the candidate's committee.  The M.A. thesis is a work of original research and writing that explores in depth a carefully delimited subject related to the student’s area of emphasis. The master's candidate satisfies the final examination requirement with a majority vote of "Satisfactory" by the candidate's committee. The committee may also recommend the student for Honors, which is a designation conferred by the Department at graduation.

Throughout the course of graduate study, the student must fulfill all relevant College and University policies.

Further details about meeting the degree requirements can be found in the Department’s Graduate Handbook.

At the completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Develop knowledge by engaging in critical thinking about theatre and performance history, theory, and criticism.
• Embark on scholarship through an original research question, by conducting research and cogently articulating results.
• Acquire practice in the application of principles of theatre studies.
• Professionalize for further study or employment.