Dramatic Theater Arts M.F.A.

MFA-511Acting 13
MFA-512Acting 23
MFA-521Voice and Speech 12
MFA-522Voice and Speech 22
MFA-531Movement/Physical Awareness 12
MFA-532Movement/Physical Awareness 22
MFA-541Professional Seminar 13
MFA-542Professional Seminar 23
MFA-551Production 13
MFA-552Production 23
MFA-561Script Analysis 2
MFA-562Dramaturgy2
MFA-611Acting 33
MFA-612Acting 43
MFA-621Voice and Speech 32
MFA-622Voice and Speech 42
MFA-631Movement/Physical Awareness 32
MFA-632Movement/Physical Awareness 42
MFA-641Professional Seminar 33
MFA-642Professional Seminar 43
MFA-643Professional Seminar 53
MFA-644Professional Seminar 63
MFA-651Production 33
MFA-652Production 43
MFA-661Colab Colloquial2
MFA-662History and Dramaturgy of Musical Theater2
MFA-690Production 5/Thesis Project3
Total Credits69

In addition to the general academic regulations, all matriculated students in the MFA program must fulfill the following requirements. The MFA program is a sequential curriculum with matriculation in technique courses contingent upon successful completion of the previous semester (this applies to Voice, Movement, and Acting courses). If student’s do not achieve the requisite "C” in a technique course and are required to re-take, this may affect progress towards degree completion.

Continuation in the Dramatic Arts Program depends on consistent, demonstrable progress in completing requirements. Progress is evaluated through academic performance in coursework, professional performance in practical experiences, personal reflections, peer feedback, and faculty feedback. To remain in good standing, a student must:

  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA or above.
  • Achieve a B or better in all required coursework.
    • Any student who earns a grade below that of a “C” in any required course must repeat the course and earn a grade of a “C” or above. Students may repeat the course one time. Students failing to earn a grade of “C” or above in a repeated course will be academically dismissed from the MFA.
  • Attend all scheduled meetings and progress reviews, as well as auditions and callbacks for program related productions. 
  • Receive positive performance reviews from practical and production work.
  • Submit Self Evaluation Reports at the end of each semester.
  • Be making progress toward completion of all requirements including community service.
  • Comply with all program and university policies.

Students who fail to meet these minimum standards will be prescribed an academic development plan for the subsequent semester. This plan will seek to address areas of concern through additional support, alternative coursework, training, or experiences. The academic development plan will outline a series of milestones to be met throughout the semester; the student’s performance will be re-evaluated at the end of the term. Outcomes from that meeting could include return to good standing, extension of the academic development plan, creation of new academic development plan or, in extreme circumstances, dismissal from the program. The Academic Development Plan will be discussed with the student in person, and a written letter outlining the steps will be shared with the student and placed in their file.

Prospective students must complete a performance audition and the online university application and be accepted through D’Youville’s Office of Admissions. Candidates must complete both the application and the audition to be considered for admission. If interested in the program, we recommend starting an online application early, before attending an audition.

Application requirements include:

  • An undergraduate Baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Successful candidates have previous training in theater. This may include: a BA or BFA in Theater or other performing arts discipline; a minor in Theater or performing arts discipline; completion of a performing arts intensive, certification program, or internship; private lessons or additional training.
  • An audition (see audition requirements below).

Optional items:

  • Two (2) professional letters of recommendation.
  • Artist Portfolio of your work. This could include:
    • documentation of performances (videos, still photos, sketches, renderings, prompt books).
    • Essays, articles, or papers about theater, performance, or art.
    • Interviews or news articles about you or your work.
    • Artist statements or philosophies or teaching statements or philosophies.
    • Film reels.
    • Testimonials.
    • Websites for artistic or professional work.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

All prospective students must complete an audition process that includes the presentation of their performance skills to a panel of adjudicators and a brief interview process. The audition requires:

  • Two (2) pieces of text in contrasting styles. Each piece should be a maximum of two minutes each. Contrasting text could be:
    • A contemporary text (post 1980 prose) and a verse/classical text (Shakespeare, Moliere, poetry, etc.) OR
    • A comedic text and a dramatic text
  • A typed Statement of Intent that answers the question: “What do you want the future of theater to look like?” Statement should be one to two pages, maximum.
  • Artist Resume that includes previous or current training, performance or production experience, skills, and outside work experience.
  • Artist Headshot A current photograph that is a minimum from the shoulders up and no more than from mid-torso up. Make sure you have enough light and avoid backgrounds that are too busy. You do not need to have professional headshots but please feel free to use if you have them.

For students interested in auditioning for the Dramatic Arts MFA, please email mallinsk@dyc.edu for information on upcoming auditions. 

All admissions decisions are made consistent with the §52.2(d)(1) and (2) of the regulations of the Commissioner of Education