Graduate Bulletin

Theater/Design, M.F.A.

Concentration: Costume Construction

SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THEATER

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: June 15

Applications are processed on a semi-rolling basis throughout the spring.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/University Professors, Professionals in the field.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

TBA

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

TBA

Standardized Test Scores:

No standardized tests are required.

Portfolio:

The student's portfolio should contain examples of work, ranging from projects and classroom exercises to completed projects. The portfolio should include research materials, rough sketches, and examples of works in progress.

Interview:

The interview is scheduled with members of the design faculty or at the U/TRA auditions.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Test Waivers:

Special Circumstances

Program Requirements

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m.

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 60

Required Courses:

Theater 407, 408, 440, 463, 464, 468 ,467, 472, 473, 994 plus several course specific to the student's production emphasis as decided by the student and approved by the design faculty. Students must earn credits in the following areas: thirty-three credits in required courses (above), fifteen credits in costume design, six credits (one per semester) for production seminar. The remaining credits are determined by consultation and approval of the design faculty, with the student developing his or her own program of study based on individual interests, academic needs and talent.

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

All design and technical students must actively be a part of the Theater Department's mainstage season. The production work is an extension of what is presented in the classroom and gives practical experience.

All design students must particaplate in portfolio review and faculty evaluation at the end of each semester.

Culminating Events:

Thesis:

The Master's Thesis is typically a realized and produced production, executed by the Theater Department as part of their mainstage season. The underlying premise is to create and produce a professional design within a professional production. Along with gathering all research, creating all designs, drafts, renderings, models, and samples for the design, the student is required to write a document defending the design and explaining the process.

Students meet with their Thesis advisors throughout the period of designing and executing the show as well as meeting with advisors during the writing of the Thesis.

The Thesis advisor, in consultation with the Design Faculty and the Artistic Staff of the production, discusses the progress and results of the Thesis.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/theater

Department Information:

Tomlinson Theater

1301 West Norris Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
theater@temple.edu
215-204-8414

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Darlene Plunkett
plunked@temple.edu
215-204-8748

Program Coordinator:

Martin Dallago

Assistant Professor

Head of Design Program in Theater

mdallago@temple.edu
215-204-8415

Graduate Chairperson:

Chairperson:

About the Program

The Design Program for Theater is a professional training curriculum where M.F.A. designers and technicians collaborate with professional faculty, staff and guest artists to stage exciting, contemporary theater for diverse audiences. We are looking for aspiring designers who will pursue the intent of the play wherever it leads them, into any period or style, into any emotion or state of mind, and whose knowledge and skills are so various that they bring a rich theatricality to the worlds they create. The Design Program for Theater combines intensive classroom work with full-scale productions to create well rounded designers and technicians. Our graduates find work in many aspects of theater, including regional theater, educational theater, and the entertainment industry.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m.

Department Information:

Tomlinson Theater

1301 West Norris Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
theater@temple.edu
215-204-8414

Ranking:

The Temple University Theater Department's M.F.A. Program is nationally ranked 23rd in the 1997 for Graduate Theater Programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Accreditation:

The Theater Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theater (NAST).

Areas of Specialization:

Each student, in consultation with the faculty, develops his or her own program of study based on individual interests and talent. Students may specialize in one or more of the following areas: Scene Design, Costume Design, Costume Construction, & Lighting Design. Full-time faculty members are available for mentoring.

Job Placement:

The program is primarily focused on training our students for careers in the theater industry. Graduates of the Design Program find employment in regional theater, higher education, and the entertainment industries.

Affiliation(s):

The Theater Department of Temple University has informal affiliations with the Philadelphia Theater Company, Freedom Theater, and The Lighting Practice. Students, with special permission from their advisors, have the opportunity to intern at these and other professional theaters and production companies in the greater Philadelphia area. The Theater Department is a Member of ATHE, NAST, U/RTA and USITT.

Interdisciplinary Study:

Design students are encouraged to explore other fields of study, such as art history, cinematography and photography, as their fields of study allow.

Study Abroad:

No.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students are required to get written approval by the instructors for each class they wish to take, along with all university approvals.

Financing Opportunities

Teaching Assistant (TA) and / or Academic Internships (AI): Practical production work within their area of training. Lab, studio and classroom teahing opportunities available. Assistantships carry a stipend and full-tuition scholarship.

Other Financial Opportunities