Program Overview

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Theatre MFA, Themed Experience

The Master of Fine Arts in Theatre, Themed Experience track, is a program designed to prepare students for careers in the themed entertainment industry. This industry includes theme parks, zoos, aquariums, themed retail, dining, museums, virtual worlds, and exhibitions.

Program Overview

The program teaches unique creative and production skills, processes, and concepts utilized to design and produce themed environments. It takes advantage of the university's ideal location in Orlando, the international hub of the themed entertainment industry. Graduates will be qualified to work as art directors, show producers, designers, production artists, or creative executives for the production of themed experiences.

Admission Requirements

Students applying for entrance into the MFA programs must have successfully completed a regionally accredited bachelor's degree program. Concentration or experience in the visual, written, or performing arts is preferred. A number of factors are considered when reviewing a student's application, including past performance, recommendations, career/academic goals, and the potential for completing the program.

Application Requirements

In addition to the university's general admission requirements, applications should submit:

• One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended
• Bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA
• Statement of interest (500-750 words)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Creative portfolio
• Complete the general entrance prerequisites

Degree Requirements

Core

• Complete the following:
  • THE5910 - Research Methods in Theatre (3)
  • TPA6437 - Careers in Themed Experience (3)

Themed Experience Concentration

• Complete the following:
  • THE5288 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor I (3)
  • THE5289 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor II (3)
  • TPA6187 - Themed Experience Seminar (3)
  • TPA5085C - Design Seminar for Theatre (2)
  • TPA6158 - Small Project Studio (3)
  • TPA6186 - Immersive Experience Studio (3)
  • TPA6188 - Visualizing Themed Environments (3)
  • TPA6921 - Collaborative Project Studio (4)
  • TPP5248C - Storytelling as a Theatrical Art Form (2)

Elective Courses

• Earn at least 12 credits from the following types of courses: Choose 2 College of Arts and Humanities electives and 2 Rosen College of Hospitality electives.

Internship/Elective

• Complete all of the following:
  • Earn at least 11 credits from the following:
    • THE6948 - Professional Internship (4)
    • THE6946 - Internship (1 - 99)
    • TPP6946 - Internship (1 - 99)
  • Students may substitute graduate elective credit hours for internship credit hours with permission of the program director.

Thesis

• Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
  • THE6971 - Thesis (1 - 99)

Financial Information

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies.

Suggested Course Schedule

Year 1

Fall: 11 Credit Hours

• THE 5288 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor I (3)
• THE 5910 - Research Methods in Theatre (3)
• TPA 5085C - Design Seminar for Theatre (2)
• TPA 6187 - Themed Experience Seminar (3)

Spring: 9 Credit Hours

• THE 5289 - Period Costumes, Architecture and Decor II (3)
• TPA 6158 - Small Project Studio (3)
• TPA 6188 - Visualizing Themed Environments (3)

Year 2

Fall: 11 Credit Hours

• TPP 5248C - Storytelling as a Theatrical Art Form (2)
• TPA 6186 - Immersive Experience Studio (3)
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective (3)
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective (3)

Spring: 10 Credit Hours

• TPA 6437 - Careers in Themed Experience (3)
• TPA 6921 - Collaborative Project Studio (4)
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective (3)

Year 3

Fall: 9 Credit Hours

• THE 6971 - Thesis (3)
• CAH or HMG Graduate Elective (3)
• Internship or Graduate Elective (3)

Spring: 11 Credit Hours

• THE 6971 - Thesis (3)
• Internship or Graduate Electives (8)

Total Credit Hours Required

The Master of Fine Arts in Themed Experience track program offers a rigorous course of study of 61 credit hours minimum, culminating in a collaborative creative project and thesis as well as an industry or academic internship.