Program Overview

Introduction to the MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage

The MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage is founded upon five core principles: Art, Craft, Business, Vision, and Community. This program combines the best of an MFA in Screenwriting and an MFA in Playwriting, offering a comprehensive education in writing for film, television, and theater.

Program Principles

Art

The program encourages students to explore the question of what they want to say and the best idiom in which to say it.

Craft

Students learn various techniques to elicit the desired response from their audience.

Business

The program covers aspects of pitching, business contracts, and industry dynamics, as well as how to create a portfolio that showcases one's voice. High-end artistic internships and independent studies in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles provide hands-on experience in the professional worlds of theatre, film, and television.

Vision

Students are encouraged to think about writing in new ways, combining different media, genres, or idioms, and utilizing technology to envision the future of playwriting, screenwriting, and television.

Community

Over the course of the program, students form a close-knit artistic community with their fellow writers, learning, working, and growing together.

Program Overview

The MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in writing for the screen and stage, combining the best of both worlds. The program is tailored to help students develop their unique voice and vision, while also providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the entertainment industry.

Curriculum

• Curriculum and Degree Requirements
• Internships and Professional Experiences
• Portfolio, Tools, and Network
• Production Opportunities

Admissions

• Apply
• Scholarships and Stipends

News

• Recent News

People

• Faculty
• Current Students
• Mentorship Board
• Alumni Achievements
• Recent Visiting Artists

The MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage at Northwestern University is a unique and comprehensive program that offers students the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in writing for film, television, and theater, while also providing them with a supportive and collaborative community of fellow writers.