Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Fine Arts in Acting Program

The Master of Fine Arts in Acting program is a terminal pre-professional degree offered by Case Western Reserve University in collaboration with the Cleveland Play House. The program began in 1996 and is designed to provide students with intensive conservatory and academic graduate course work beyond the bachelor's degree.

Overview of the Program

The MFA in acting is a three-year program that requires an undergraduate degree with a major in theater, equivalent training and experience, or demonstrable potential for work at the MFA level. Candidates must also provide evidence of technical skill and creative ability. The program is highly competitive, and only students who demonstrate growth and excellence are permitted to remain in the program.

Core Components of the Program

The core components of the MFA in acting program include:

• Three years of intensive conservatory and academic graduate course work beyond the bachelor's degree
• Performance in the graduate ensemble productions and Cleveland Play House season as assigned
• Departmental assessment of student progress on a semester-to-semester basis

Thesis Portfolios

The thesis portfolio is a critical component of the program, consisting of a detailed, articulate account of the actor's rehearsal process and related preparation for the performance of at least three roles created during their MFA course of study. The portfolio includes:

• A narrative outlining the synthesis of craft and class work with research directly relevant to the creation and performance of the role
• A minimum of three roles, two of which must be "major"
• Each year, MFA acting students meet with their advisors to determine roles that might be included in the thesis portfolio
• In the final semester of the third year, the thesis portfolio is turned in to the students' faculty advisor in a timely manner

Requirements for the MFA Degree

The requirements for the MFA degree include:

• A minimum of 82 semester hours of graduate work beyond the bachelor's degree
• A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for all course work on the graduate level
• Completion of the requirements for the MFA thesis portfolio
• Successful completion of the third-year internship at the Cleveland Play House

Program Structure and Evaluation

The program is structured to provide students with increasing levels of involvement with the Cleveland Play House, culminating in a professional internship in the third year. Student progress is evaluated on a semester-to-semester basis, and only students who demonstrate growth and excellence are permitted to remain in the program. The award of the MFA degree is contingent upon the student's academic progress and the assessment by the faculty that the candidate possesses the potential to work in the field of theater on a professional level.