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We will not be recruiting for the MFA Directing program. 

Henry V

The Purdue MFA program in Directing offers three years of intensive study in the art and craft of directing with the intention of preparing students for fulfilling careers as directors in professional theatre and the performing arts.

A major focus of the program is on the development of a directorial process, which will serve graduates in the practice of their art in a variety of production conditions with variable human and financial resources at their disposal. The program is rigorous, time-demanding and intense. Based on the idea that a good director is well-educated in many areas, directing students will take several Directing courses plus courses in Acting, Voice, Movement, Lighting, Scenic, Sound and Costume design, Theory and Criticism and Theatre History (if required).

Directing projects range from director production book preparation to in-class scene presentations, assistant directing main stage productions, directing contemporary one-act plays, directing site-specific full-length productions and full-length plays in the Purdue Theatre Department season. Productions will take place in studio classrooms, the Mallett Theatre and the Hansen Theatre.

Only two students are in the program at any one time so student instructor ratio is very low and the course personalized throughout. Teaching assistantships may involve teaching undergraduate stage management classes, introductory acting classes, or performing as research assistants on various productions and projects, and assisting in teaching Theatre Appreciation.

MFA Directing - Sample Plan of Study

The applicant is required to interview with a Purdue representative and submit the following materials when applying to the MFA Directing Program:

  • Theatrical resume with recent headshot
  • Transcript(s) from all schools attended
  • Statement of goals and philosophy for undertaking the study of Directing at Purdue University
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • The Graduate School application fee is $60 (U.S. dollars) for domestic applicants and $75 (U.S. dollars) for international applicants. You must pay your application fee online with your credit card. Visa and MasterCard cards are accepted and processed using a secured online payment system. Your application will not be processed until your nonrefundable application fee has been paid.
For general information about the Purdue Theatre program contact:
Rosie Starks
765-494-3080
Fax: 765-496-1766
rstarks@purdue.edu

Click here for application information or to apply on-line. (Select "Visual and Performing Arts" as the area of study.)