Degrees Offered: Ph.D., M.A., M.F.A.
Members
Professors
S. Heatley, K. Johnston, S. Liu, E. Mathjis, T. Scholte.
Associate Professors
J. Firkins, B. Powers, P. Rizzotti, A. Santos.
Assistant Professors
O. Gagnon, L. Lachance, H. Marshall, L. Morris, P. Pennefather, K. Zaiontz.
Program Overview
The Theatre Program offers opportunities for advanced studies leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and the Master of Arts (M.A.) in dramatic literature, theatre history, and criticism. The program also offers advanced studies leading to the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in the direction of plays and in the design of scenery, costume, and lighting. In cooperation with the School of Creative Writing, Theatre offers an M.F.A. in playwriting (see Creative Writing/Theatre).
The program has diverse offerings in both practical theatre and the academic study of dramatic literature, history, and criticism. Regular productions, directed and designed by faculty, graduate students, and guest artists, are presented in the Frederic Wood Theatre, the Telus Studio Theatre, and the Dorothy Somerset Studio Theatre. There is opportunity for participation in all aspects of production.
The program is supported by extensive library resources that currently include approximately 30,000 works of dramatic literature and books on theatre, and more than 70 periodicals. There are almost 500 recordings of drama in the Wilson Library.
Further information about graduate programs may be obtained from Theatre and Film.
See also graduate programs in Creative Writing and Cinema and Media Studies.
Doctor of Philosophy
Admission Requirements
The Ph.D. program in Theatre Studies is administered by the Graduate Committee in Theatre Studies. The Program can accommodate very few students, and admission is competitive.
Applicants should be able to match their research interests to those of the Graduate Committee: Canadian Studies, Dramaturgy, Post-Colonial Theatre, Asian Theatre, and some aspects of Nineteenth Century European and Modern British, American, and Canadian Theatre.
For detailed information about specific application and program requirements, please visit Ph.D. Theatre.
Transfer from the M.A. to the Ph.D. program is permitted under regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the Program's Graduate Committee.
Program Requirements
A dissertation, plus 18 credits of coursework at the 500-level in Theatre, English, or any other department that offers seminars on drama, theatre, performance topics, or other topics related to the student's area of specialization in theatre. Coursework must include at least 3 credits of THTR_V 547. All students must participate in a series of non-credit workshops on research, methods, and professionalism.
All students in the Ph.D. program are expected to apply for SSHRC and/or UBC-affiliated awards to support their studies.
Master of Arts
Admission Requirements
The M.A. in Theatre is administered by the Graduate Committee in Theatre Studies. The Program can accommodate very few students, and admission is competitive.
Applicants should be able to match their research interests to those of the Graduate Committee: Canadian Studies, Dramaturgy, Post-Colonial Theatre, Asian Theatre, and some aspects of Nineteenth Century European and Modern British, American, and Canadian Theatre.
Applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. For detailed information about specific application procedures, please visit M.A. Theatre.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 30 credits, including a 12-credit thesis, and 18 credits of graduate seminars related to drama, theatre, and performance topics. A maximum of 6 credits may be taken at the 300- or 400-level.
For detailed information about specific program requirements please visit M.A. Theatre.
All students in the M.A. program are expected to apply for SSHRC and/or UBC-affiliated awards to support their studies.
Master of Fine Arts
The M.F.A. in Design for Theatre is an intensive graduate program intended to prepare students for design in the professional theatre in Canada. The Program can accommodate very few students, and admission is competitive.
Instruction in the M.F.A. Design for Theatre program centres around a core of studio classes emphasizing development of the designers' graphic, conceptual, and research skills. In addition, Design for Theatre students may assist faculty and other practising designers on projects outside the University, design theatre productions at UBC and elsewhere, and work in film. The program generally takes two or three years to complete, and culminates in a design thesis/theses.
The M.F.A. Directing program is a professionally-oriented intensive graduate program, intended for those who wish to extend and enhance their directing practice. The Directing program can accommodate very few students, and admission is competitive.
Admission Requirements
For information about applying to the M.F.A. in Design for Theatre, please see M.F.A. Design.
For information about applying to the M.F.A. in Directing, please see M.F.A. Directing.
Program Requirements
Students in the M.F.A. Design for Theatre program must complete a minimum of 30 credits of coursework, including 24 credits of coursework at the 500-level or higher. These credits include a 6- or 12-credit thesis, plus 12 credits from THTR_V 505, 506, 507, 508, 407, 550, 551, 547, 555, 556 or THFL_V 599.
Students in the M.F.A. Directing program spend a year investigating a variety of preparation and rehearsal techniques and the demands of various theatrical performance styles. In their second year they direct two full-length productions, one of which is their thesis production.
Contact Information
Theatre Program
6354 Crescent Road
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z2
Tel: 604.822.3880 Ext. 0
Fax: 604.822.5985
Email: thtr.sec@ubc.ca
Web: theatrefilm.ubc.ca