Theatre

The University of Idaho offers the state's only Master of Fine Arts in Theatre and it is well known for producing skilled and accomplished theatre professionals. Our MFA option is a demanding program that generally takes three years to complete. By offering the ability to select your specialty area, our program is designed to help talented and dedicated students achieve their aspirations in the areas of:

• Performance
• Directing
• Dramatic writing
• Design and technology (including scenery, costumes or lighting)

As an integral part of your graduate training, there are numerous opportunities to design, perform and direct productions on campus.  The department produces four shows during the academic year.

Idaho Repertory Theatre, a summer training program that brings professional actors, directors and designers to the area, offers four shows during the summer.

Our proven curriculum combines group learning within a nurturing classroom environment to give students a deeper understanding of themselves and human behavior. Practical hands-on production experience is available during our four-show academic season.

UI theatre offers an exclusive connection with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Rex Rabold Fellowship. One student is selected each year to spend 10 months working alongside professional actors, directors and designers. Students are directly involved in the Tony Award-winning festival's summer season.

Our program is flexible in its approach and faculty and staff are committed to helping students identify practical, guided experiences that are best suited to their interests and career goals. Small class sizes and ample production opportunities with the UI's music and dance programs also enable students to build face-to-face relationships with peers and faculty. We’ve also integrated class projects and studio work into the department's mainstage academic season to create a balance between theory and skill development.

Prepare for Success

A majority of our Master of Fine Arts in Theatre students are creative and driven individuals, each with a commitment to work in the professional theatre and to sharpen their skills in creative problem-solving, collaboration, critical thinking and communication.

Your First Year

In addition to UI's graduate school admission requirements, the MFA program in theatre requires a 3.0 GPA, a statement of goals or intent, three letters of recommendation, and a portfolio of design work or a four- to six-minute audition tape.

The deadline to apply for the MFA program is Jan. 30.
Specific degree requirements related to area emphasis can be found in our degree resources.

What You Can Do

With a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre, you may become a:

• Professional actor in theatre, television or film
• Director
• Producer
• Designer
• Manager
• Technician
• Writer
• Choreographer
• Scenic designer
• Teacher, arts programming and administration, art therapy
• Theatre historian
• Media consultant
• Higher-education design and performance faculty

Opportunities

We are proud of the achievements of our graduates. Many have built successful careers in professional theatre, television and film across North America — from Broadway to Hollywood. With an MFA in Theatre from the University of Idaho, graduates have many career opportunities, including teaching or art administration for a university, at the high school level or for a private theatre group.

Graduates may find themselves drawn to careers in media and business communications as a literary agent, critic or sports or entertainment reporter. If interested in technical design and technology, graduates may build a career as a corporate display designer for a production company or for a venue that hosts nationally renowned musical and theatre acts.

Activities

The Student Theater Organization will help you develop greater proficiency and confidence in your abilities and, in some cases, build life-long friendships with peers who share your enthusiasm for creative pursuits.

Hands-On Experience

UI theatre offers an exclusive connection with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Rex Rabold Fellowship. One student is selected each year to spend 10 months working alongside professional actors, directors and designers. Students are directly involved in the Tony Award-winning festival's summer season.

Professional credits are available on campus with the Idaho Repertory Theatre, a training program that brings theatre artists from around the country to the area to work with students. Four productions are presented each season.

Students are directed to internship opportunities with regional and national theatre companies throughout the year. They also can find internships in the film and television industry.

Facilities

The program maintains and utilizes three primary theatrical spaces:

• The Hartung Theatre, a 417-seat semi-thrust, proscenium stage
• The Kiva Theatre, a 125-seat theater-in-the-round
  
• The Arena Theatre, a 50-seat performance studio used to showcase work in a black box setting

Faculty Involvement

Our faculty are creative, working theatre professionals whose primary goal is to train students to work in the theatre, film and television industry. They also serve as mentors to students and encourage them to take on leadership roles in the production and presentation of live theatre.

Robert C. Caisley
Associate Professor of Theatre; Head of Performance Area; Head of Dramatic Writing Program
Robert Caisley is Associate Professor of Theatre, and Head of the Dramatic Writing Program at the University of Idaho. He has worked in the entertainment industry as a Creative Consultant for The History Channel, Triage Entertainment, and for North by Northwest Productions, Netter Digital Entertainment and New Wave Entertainment.
» View Robert Caisley's Profile

David Christopher DuVal
Assistant Professor
Christopher is an Assistant Professor of Theatre teaching in the BA, BFA, and MFA Performance Programs. He has worked as an actor, guest instructor and fight director throughout the country at various regional theatres and academic institutions, including at such venues as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Dallas Theatre Center, Syracuse Stage, North Carolina School of the Arts, Stanford University, California State University Fullerton, and others. He is a Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors and a Senior Instructor with Dueling Arts International.
» View Christopher DuVal's Profile

Ann Hoste
Professor of Costume Design, Head of Design
Ann Hoste is Associate Professor of Costume Design and Technology at the University of Idaho. In addition to courses in costume design and theatrical makeup, she teaches advanced costume construction and pattern development. She is a member of United Scenic Artists, a professional association of designers, artists and craftspeople in the performing arts.
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Carrie Lawrence
Lecturer, Costume Shop Manager
Carrie is currently the Costume Shop Manager, and oversees all aspects of the costume production phase for each play at the University of Idaho. She is often the head draper and creates patterns for the costumes, or mentors student drapers towards the same goal, as well as managing the administrative aspect to the shop.
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David A. Nofsinger
Assistant Professor
David Nofsinger is an assistant professor of theatre, resident scenic designer for the department and head of the design area. David teaches courses in scene design and scenographic techniques.
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David Lee-Painter
Professor of Performance
David Lee-Painter is professor of theatre and teaches performance and directing. Active with the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, he is the outgoing Chair of Region VII, past national Chair of Chairs, national Member at Large, proud member of the 2008 National Selection team, and the National Directing Coordinator.
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Stephanie S. Miller
Professor Emeritus
Stephanie Miller is an associate professor of theatre she is the resident scenic designer for the Department and head of the design area. Stephanie teaches courses in Scene Design, Advanced Scene Design, Scene Painting and Scenographic Techniques as well as individual and directed studies at the graduate and undergraduate level.
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Dean Panttaja
Professor and Department Chair
Dean Panttaja is the current Chair of Theatre Arts at the University of Idaho and Artistic Director of the Idaho Repertory Theatre. Dean is a professor of design at the and is a freelance professional lighting and scenic designer.
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Kelly Quinnett
Professor of Performance; Head of Acting
Kelly Eviston Quinnett is an associate professor and head of acting. As an actor, she has extensive experience in professional theatre and film and has performed regionally at Spokane Interplayers, Flat Rock Playhouse, New York Theatre Lab, Coeur D’Alene Summer Theatre and Mill Mountain Theatre. Kelly is a former winner of the National Irene Ryan Acting Competition presented by The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
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Robby Valliere
Clinical Faculty/Assistant Professor/Technical Director
Robby Valliere is the Technical Director at the University of Idaho.
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