Program Overview

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Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Directing

The Department of Theatre offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre with specialization in Directing. The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in directing focuses on the practice of directing contemporary theatre. It allows students to develop their skills in the art of directing, and offers the unique opportunity to study both English and French theatre practices in a bilingual and bicultural setting.

Program Overview

The program is designed to prepare students to work as directors in the professional theatre. The program is offered full-time and extends over two years. It can be pursued in English and in French. In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have a right to produce their work, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the graduate program in Theatre is governed by the General Regulations in effect for graduate studies. All applicants must be able to understand, speak, and write proficiently either English or French. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other. The list of acceptable proofs is indicated in the Admission section of the General Regulations in effect for graduate studies.

• A bachelors degree with a specialization or a major, or the equivalent, in Theatre with a minimum average of 75% (B+) in the last two years and a 70% (B) average overall;
• A solid background in the literature, theory, and history of the theatre;
• A working knowledge of how theatre is done, including an understanding of the basic techniques of acting, production, and theatre administration;
• Experience and a demonstrable skill and talent for theatre directing;
• Some successful pursuit of theatre work beyond the university setting;
• Proficiency in one of the two official languages and at least a passive knowledge of the other; a passive knowledge implies the ability to follow courses in both official languages, and to appreciate the English and French theatrical traditions, culture, and practice.

Program Requirements

The program combines two compulsory courses, production courses, directing seminars, and a practicum where students observe a senior director mount a production in a professional theatre. Students must undergo a diagnostic examination upon entry into the program. A total of 39 units are required as follows:

Compulsory Courses

• THE 5130: Dramaturgy (3 units)
• THE 5140: Theory of Performance (3 units)

Production Courses

• THE 5901: Production I (3 units)
• THE 5902: Production II (3 units)
• THE 5903: Production III (3 units)
• THE 5952: Formal Pre-Production Analysis (3 units)
• THE 6001: Final Product 1 (6 units)

Seminars

• THE 5931: Graduate Seminar I (3 units)
• THE 5932: Graduate Seminar II (3 units)
• THE 5933: Graduate Seminar III (3 units)
• THE 5934: Graduate Seminar IV (3 units)

Directing Practicum

• THE 6901: Directing Practicum 1 (3 units)

Minimum Standards

The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 units) must withdraw from the program.

Duration of the Program

The requirements of the program must be fulfilled within two years (five terms of full-time enrollment).

Research at the University of Ottawa

Located in the heart of Canadas capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa ranks among Canadas top 10 research universities. Our research is founded on excellence, relevance, and impact and is conducted in a spirit of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Research at the Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts is proud of the state-of-the-art research conducted by its professors. In the spirit of showcasing its research to the university community as well as to the general public, the Faculty has created three activities: Dean's Lecture Series, Treasures of the Library, and Excellence Lectures.

Facilities, Research Centres, and Institutes at the Faculty of Arts

• Centre de recherche en civilisation canadienne-fran蓷ise
• Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies
• Institute for Science, Society, and Policy
• Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI)
• Morisset Library

Course Descriptions

THE 5110: Research Methods in Theatre and Performance Studies (3 units)

Advanced academic research and writing skills commonly used in theatre studies.

THE 5120: Selected Topics in Theatre Studies (3 units)

Study of a selected topic in theatre history, theory, or practice.

THE 5130: Dramaturgy (3 units)

The dramatic text as a point of departure for a theatrical performance.

THE 5140: Theory of Performance (3 units)

Examination of a range of performance forms that define contemporary practice.

THE 5510: M彋hodes de recherche en 彋udes th殪trales (3 cr嶮its)

Formation avanc嶪 en recherche et en r嶮action pertinente pour les 彋udes universitaires dans le champ des 彋udes th殪trales.

THE 5520: Th鋗es choisis en 彋udes th殪trales (3 cr嶮its)

尒ude d'un 幨幦ent particulier de l'histoire, la th廩rie, ou la pratique th殪trale.

THE 5530: Dramaturgie (3 cr嶮its)

La dramaturgie con蓰e en tant que point de d廧art de la repr廥entation th殪trale.

THE 5540: Analyse de la repr廥entation (3 cr嶮its)

尒ude des diverses formes de spectacles qui d嶨inissent les pratiques contemporaines.

THE 5901: Production I (3 units)

Students, under the supervision of faculty members, or a professional director, undertake a series of directing exercises.

THE 5902: Production II (3 units)

Students research and direct a one-act play or an extended scene from a full-length play under the guidance of a professor or professional director.

THE 5903: Production III (3 units)

Students research and direct a one-act play or an act from a full-length play with the guidance of a professor or professional director.

THE 5931: Graduate Seminar I (3 units)

Seminar focussing on a selected aspect of the directorial process.

THE 5932: Graduate Seminar II (3 units)

Seminar focussing on a selected aspect of the directorial process.

THE 5933: Graduate Seminar III (3 units)

Seminar focussing on a selected aspect of the directorial process.

THE 5934: Graduate Seminar IV (3 units)

Seminar focussing on a selected aspect of the directorial process.

THE 5952: Formal Pre-Production Analysis (3 units)

Students prepare a substantial analysis of the play chosen for their final production.

THE 6001: Final Product (6 units)

Students direct a full-length play and submit a post-production analysis.

THE 6901: Directing Practicum (3 units)

Students observe a senior director mount a professional production and submit a detailed record and analysis of the directorial process.

THE 6990: Thesis Proposal

Students prepare their thesis proposal under the guidance of their thesis adviser.

THE 6999: Major Research Paper

The research paper is prepared under the direction of the research paper supervisor and is approved by the graduate committee.