Purdue University
College of Liberal Arts
Theatre
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Directing
MFA Directing Program Update
Please be advised that applications will be accepted for the 2013-2016 M.F.A. Directing program.
M.F.A Directing Program Vision Statement
The Purdue M.F.A 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.
At Purdue, the Director is viewed as the hub of the wheel of collaborative artists who interpret a play. Emphasis throughout the program is on the director mastering the role of collaborative leadership while expressing her/his distinctive theatrical imagination. The philosophical core of the program centers on the notion of freedom of imagination derived from a sound analytical foundation, and the play as the heart and soul of the theatrical experience.
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 a series of 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 200 seat flexible space Mallett Theatre and the 310 seat proscenium Hansen Theatre.
Two students are accepted into the program every three years so student instructor ratio is very low and the course personalized throughout. Teaching assistantships may involve teaching undergraduate stage management classes or performing as research assistants on various productions and projects, and assisting in teaching Theatre Appreciation.
The program is international in scope with the goal of initiating relationships for students with theatre companies in America and abroad. Influence on this program includes the work of, among others, internationally acclaimed directors, Robert Lepage, Anne Bogart, Peter Brook, Katie Mitchell, Deborah Warner, Wajdi Mouawad, Neil Armfield & Ariane Mnouchkine.
Gordon McCall, Head of the Directing program, is a professional director and Artistic Director with over 35 years of international, professional directing experience in Canada, the U.S.A., Australia, and Ireland.
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 Acting 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 specific questions regarding the Directing M.F.A. program, contact:
Gordon McCall
Associate Professor of Theatre, Head of Directing
Purdue Theatre
Yue-Kong Pao Hall of Visual and Performing Arts
552 W. Wood Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2002
765-494-3086
gmccall@purdue.edu
Purdue University
College of Liberal Arts
Patti and Rusty Rueff Department of Visual and Performing Arts
For general information about the Purdue Theatre program, please call:
Rosie Starks
765-494-3080
Fax: 765-496-1766
rstarks@purdue.edu
Click here for application information or to apply on-line.
