Degree Offered
- Master of Fine Arts
- Acting
- Costume Design & Technology
- Lighting Design & Technology
- Scenic Design & Technology
- Technical Direction
All MFA degree programs in the School of Theatre & Dance are 3-year, 6-semester programs resulting in a terminal degree in that field of study.
West Virginia University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). The School of Theatre & Dance is a member of the University/Resident Theatre Association (URTA).
Faculty
Director
- Joshua Williamson - M.F.A. (University of Wisconsin - Madison)
Professor of Lighting Design
Associate Director and Director of Graduate Studies
- Radhica Ganapathy - Ph.D. (Texas Tech University)
Theatre History, Literature, & Criticism
Professors
- Yoav Kaddar - Ph.D. (State University of New York - Albany) and M.F.A. (University of Washington - Seattle)
Dance - Mary McClung - M.F.A. (West Virginia University)
Costume Design & Technology - Jerry McGonigle - M.F.A. (American Conservatory Theatre)
Acting, Directing
Teaching Professor
- Cathy O'Dell - M.F.A. (West Virginia University)
Acting
Service Professors
- Alan McEwen - M.F.A. (University of Oregon)
Lighting & Sound Design - Steven Neuenschwander - M.F.A. (Yale School of Drama)
Technical Direction
Associate Professors
- Lee Blair - M.F.A. (University of Florida)
Head of Performance/Acting & Musical Theatre - Radhica Ganapathy - Ph.D. (Texas Tech University)
Theatre History, Literature, & Criticism - General McArthur Hambrick - M.F.A. (University of Washington)
Dance & Musical Theatre - Tamara Honesty - M.F.A. (West Virginia University)
Scene Design - Jessica Morgan - M.F.A. (The Ohio State University)
Stage Movement
Assistant Professors
- Ryan Scoble - M.F.A. (Kent State University)
Musical Theatre
Teaching Assistant Professor
- Maureen Kaddar - M.F.A. (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)
Dance
Service Assistant Professor
- Aubrey Sirtutus - M.F.A. (Carnegie Mellon University)
Production and Stage Management
Admissions
Prospective candidates for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in theatre must have a B.A. or B.F.A. degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. Ordinarily, a minimum of thirty semester hours in theatre at the undergraduate level is expected to have been completed with a grade point average of no less than 2.75; although, students with an undergraduate grade point average of 2.25 to 2.75 may be admitted with probationary status.
Auditions
Applicants must audition/interview to gain admittance into the program. Applicants intending to specialize in acting must submit a complete resume of their acting experience, at least two letters of recommendation from acting coaches or directors, and must present an audition before at least one member of the acting faculty. Those intending to specialize in design must submit a complete portfolio of their work, a resume of their design experience, and at least two letters of recommendation from design instructors or directors. An interview with members of the design faculty is also required.
For further details regarding these requirements, please contact the School of Theatre & Dance, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6111, Morgantown, WV 26506-6111, visit theatre.wvu.edu, or call (304) 293-2020.
Advanced Standing
Students may be eligible for eighteen hours of graduate transfer credit for advanced-standing if they meet the regular requirements of graduate admission. Students admitted with advanced standing are required to be in residence at WVU for a minimum of two semesters and a summer session. The request for advanced standing should be made to the school director at the time of application.