The Theatre School’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Acting is a highly truthful, yet expressive, physical acting program informed by our Chicago roots that prepares actors to work on stage and screen all over the world. The first year experience is about expanding the size and specificity of the actor’s skill, imagination, and drive. The next year intensifies scenic study of a diverse spectrum of dramatic literature, with a strong path of ensemble creation and student-generated work. The final year puts the work in the context of the profession, connects the student to artistic and industry leaders while refining the actor’s entrepreneurial spirit through company created works and independent cinema experience.
Plan of Study Grid
| First Year | Hours |
|---|
| PRF 553 |
MFA I MEISNER |
2 |
| PRF 563 |
REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE I |
5 |
| PRF 511 |
GRADUATE ACTING I |
4 |
| PRF 512 |
GRADUATE ACTING I |
4 |
| PRF 513 |
GRADUATE ACTING I |
4 |
| PRF 531 |
GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH I |
2 |
| PRF 532 |
GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH I |
2 |
| PRF 533 |
GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH I |
2 |
| PRF 530 |
MFA I SPEECH |
1 |
| PRF 540 |
GRAD SPEECH I: ADVANCED NOTATION |
1 |
| PRF 521 |
GRADUATE MOVEMENT I |
2 |
| PRF 522 |
GRADUATE MOVEMENT I |
2 |
| PRF 523 |
GRADUATE MOVEMENT I |
2 |
| PRF 524 |
GRADUATE MOVEMENT I: RE-PATTERNING |
1 |
| PRF 525 |
GRAD MOVEMENT I: FELDENKRAIS |
1 |
| PRF 551 |
MFA I IMPROVISATION |
2 |
| PRF 552 |
MFA I IMPROVISATION |
2 |
| PRF 571 |
MFA WORKSHOP I: ACTOR AS ENTREPRENEUR |
2 |
| PRF 572 |
MFA WORKSHOP I: ACTOR AS ENTREPRENEUR |
2 |
| PRF 573 |
MFA WOKRSHOP I: ACTOR AS ENTREPRENEUR |
2 |
| THE 601 |
GRADUATE SEMINAR |
3 |
| THE 602 |
GRADUATE SEMINAR |
3 |
| THE 603 |
GRADUATE SEMINAR |
3 |
| Second Year |
|---|
| PRF 580 |
STAGE COMBAT |
1 |
| PRF 611 |
GRADUATE ACTING II: CLASSICAL |
5 |
| PRF 612 |
GRADUATE ACTING II: CLASSICAL |
5 |
| PRF 613 |
GRADUATE ACTING II: CLASSICAL |
5 |
| PRF 621 |
GRADUATE MOVEMENT II |
2 |
| PRF 622 |
GRADUATE MOVEMENT II |
2 |
| PRF 623 |
GRADUATE MOVEMENT II |
2 |
| PRF 631 |
GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH II |
2 |
| PRF 632 |
GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH II |
2 |
| PRF 633 |
GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH II |
2 |
| PRF 641 |
GRADUATE ACTING II: MYTH, FABLE, & FOLKLORE IN DRAMA |
2 |
| PRF 642 |
GRADUATE ACTING II: TRAGIC FOCUS FROM 1700 TO 1950 |
2 |
| PRF 643 |
GRADUATE ACTING II: COMIC FOCUS FROM 1700 TO 1950 |
2 |
| PRF 661 |
REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE II |
5 |
| PRF 662 |
REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE II |
5 |
| PRF 663 |
REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE II |
5 |
| PRF 671 |
MFA WORKSHOP II: ACTOR AS ENTREPRENEUR |
2 |
| PRF 673 |
MFA WORKSHOP II: ACTOR AS ENTREPRENEUR |
2 |
| Third Year |
|---|
| PRF 716 |
GRADUATE SHOWCASE |
3 |
| PRF 714 |
AUDITION |
3 |
| PRF 730 |
MFA III VOICE & SPEECH |
2 |
| PRF 711 |
GRADUATE ACTING III: COMPANY CREATION |
4 |
| PRF 712 |
GRADUATE ACTING III: PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION |
4 |
| PRF 713 |
GRADUATE ACTING III: ADVANCED IMPROVISATION |
2 |
| PRF 721 |
GRADUATE MOVEMENT III |
2 |
| PRF 722 |
GRADUATE MOVEMENT III |
2 |
| PRF 723 |
GRADUATE MOVEMENT III: AFRICAN DANCE |
2 |
| PRF 720 |
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA |
2 |
| FILM 488 |
DIRECTING ACTORS FOR THE CAMERA (FORMERLY DC 450) |
4 |
PRF 317 |
TOPICS IN SCENE STUDY |
|
PRF 381 |
ADVANCED STAGE COMBAT |
|
PRF 731 |
GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH III |
|
PRF 732 |
GRADUATE VOICE AND SPEECH III |
|
PRF 596 |
ADVANCED STAGE COMBAT |
|
|
|
| PRF 761 |
REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE III |
5 |
| PRF 763 |
REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE III |
5 |
In addition to completing the graduate requirements of the major program, each student must complete two or three terminal requirements: