Program Overview

Introduction to the Directing MFA Program

The Directing Program at UC San Diego develops directors who are creative, impactful leaders of highly collaborative theatrical processes. The program focuses on creating compelling theatrical events in direct dialogue with the contemporary landscape of American theater. Students are strong visionaries who inspire collaborators to do their best work, balancing specific production goals while seeking discoveries in the unknown.

Program Curriculum

The curriculum focuses on text analysis, execution of narrative vision, production process, and new play development. With the audience at the center of attention, directors make sophisticated choices about style and form to create engaging, relevant theater.

Financial Support

Students have the opportunity to earn income and receive teaching mentorship by serving as Teaching Assistants and Graduate Student Researchers. A detailed description of the financial support package for MFA students is available.

Research, Externships, and Other Opportunities

Each MFA Directing student receives a $3000 travel grant, SDC Associate Membership at graduation, domestic travel and accommodation for 2 VIP guests to thesis production, and attendance at New York Showcase. Between a director's second and third year, the Tony award-winning La Jolla Playhouse provides a residency during which student directors typically serve as an Assistant Director.

Classes

The core curriculum of the program includes:

• Directing Process classes, which ask Directing MFA students to practice and develop tools to support storytelling through the director/actor relationship, dynamic staging, and the execution of narrative vision.
• Directing Seminar classes, which explore pivotal historic moments of theatrical style, methods of leadership and collaboration, and rigorous text analysis.
• Alongside core directing courses, the curriculum includes design, acting, new play development, and significant faculty mentorship.

Productions

Students of the MFA Directing Program seek to deepen and expand who they are as leaders of a wide variety of creative processes. Over the course of the program, students will develop skills for both self-produced and fully-produced production, featuring work in the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theatre District facilities.

Faculty

The department's faculty features artists and scholars with national and international profiles whose research and professional work is integral to their work as teachers. Guest faculty in recent years has included directors such as Steve Broadnax, Robert Woodruff, Dominique Serrand, Robert O'Hara, and Katie Pearl.

Program Structure

• In their first year, students will direct a First Year project in the fall quarter and a one-act project written by an MFA Playwright as part of the Wagner New Play Festival in the spring quarter.
• In their second year, students will direct a Second Year production and a new play production by an MFA Playwright as part of the Wagner New Play Festival in the spring quarter.
• In their third year, students will direct their Thesis production in either the fall or winter quarter and complete their Thesis defense for graduation in the winter quarter.

Available MFA and PhD Programs

• Acting MFA
• Design MFA
• Directing MFA
• Playwriting MFA
• Stage Management MFA
• Ph.D.
• Course Descriptions are available for further information on each program.