Theatre arts

• Education level: Bachelor's
• GPA: 3.0
• GRE: No
• TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
• Number of references: Three
• Other requirements: Additional application materials are required based on the areas of focus chosen
  • Directing - Portfolio required
  • Dramatic Writing - Writing sample required
  • Theatre Design - Portfolio required
  • Theatre Technology - Portfolio required
  • Theatre Management - Portfolio required
  • Theatre Pedagogy – No additional requirements

Program availability

• Concentration: non-thesis
• Semester intake: Summer, Fall, Spring
• Eligible for WRGP award
• Eligible for international admission
• Deadlines:  
  • For fall admission, applications should be received by July 15.
  • For spring admission, applications should be received by November 15.
  • For summer admission, applications should be received by April 1. 

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.

Theatre Arts contact:
Robert Caisley
rcaisley@uidaho.edu

Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001

The distance-based MFA program does not offer tuition-based scholarships or assistantships. The cost of the distance-based MFA program is relatively affordable compared to other programs. You can continue working your day job while you attend the program online. You will not need to relocate to the Moscow campus.

If you are interested in the MFA in theatre arts program on the Moscow campus, you are eligible for assistantships. All efforts will be made to place you within an assistantship that matches your area of emphasis. Current assistantships include teaching oral communications (generally for directing students) and working in the scene shop (generally for scenic and lighting design or tech students) or costume shop (generally for costume design and technology students). The availability of these assistantships is limited each year, and we suggest applying early and reaching out to the Theatre Department to request more information.

To learn about various ways to fund your graduate degree, check out Graduate Funding.

For detailed information about the cost of attendance, visit Financial Aid.

The distance-based MFA program could be a good fit if you:

• Have an established career in theatre (or similar discipline) in your local community, regionally or nationally.
• Are an educator who teaches theatre in pre-K through university level or in after school programs.
• Have connections with a theatre-producing organization or institution where you can regularly practice your craft.
• Aren’t able to relocate to Idaho for your graduate program.
• Are self-motivated and have good time management skills.
• Have a degree of financial security or access to loans to be able to finance your education (distance-based students are not eligible for TA positions or tuition waivers of any kind).
• Already have graduate-level credits from another institution.

The on-campus MFA program could be a good fit for you if you:

• Have recently graduated from a bachelor’s program in theatre or a related field.
• Need longer and more dedicated hands-on training in your area of emphasis.
• Need more training in your area before seeking professional employment.
• Are interested in exploring other areas of artistic practice outside your primary area of emphasis.
• Are interested in gaining experience in teaching, costume or scene shop management, or mentoring as part of your graduate training.
• Are interested in relocating to Moscow, ID to pursue your MFA.

Hands-on learning

• Opportunities for design, dramaturgy, directing and management roles in the productions on campus (for on-campus program).
• Attendance at conferences like the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region 7 festival, the United States Institute of Theatre Technology annual conference, the American Society for Theatre Research annual conference and more.
• Optional trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in fall semesters.
• Study abroad opportunity in Mexico City in summer session.

Internships

• Rex Rabold Fellowship - Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
• Ari Keever/Trajectory Fellowship – Boise Contemporary Theatre.
• B Street Theatre – New Comedies Festival.
• Faculty also regularly recruit or recommend students to work with them during the summers at theatres across the country.