Texas Tech University

Theatre Management

Department of Theatre and Dance
Box 42061
Lubbock, TX 79409-2061
United States
Main Phone: 806/742-3601
Main E-Mail: Linda.Donahue@ttu.edu

Degree/Credential: Graduate (MFA in Theatre Management; Ph.D. in Fine Arts (major in Theatre; track in Arts Administration))
Web Site: http://www.theatre.ttu.edu

Program Director: LDonahue [link available to AAAE members only]

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Program Goals and Objectives

The primary focus of the program is to train leaders and advocates in the field of theatre administration/arts management. The program offers an MFA in Theatre (Arts Management) as well as a Ph.D. in Fine Arts (major in Theatre; track in Arts Management). The program offers a blend of theory and practice. It is designed to serve those interested in working in the diverse areas of arts administration– MFAs work in nonprofit theatres; a large number of Ph.D.s have become Department Chairs or Deans.

Students will actively participate in the University Theatre production program in marketing, box office, front-of-house supervision, Production of Lab Theatre, Managing One-Act Play Festival, etc. The program is individualized to the student’s talents and interests, and an outside internship and several practicums are required for the MFA. The Department of Theatre and Dance is dedicated equally to scholarship and theatrical production. The Department offers up to 25 teaching/production/research assistantships each semester. MFA students complete a thesis project and doctoral students produce a formal written dissertation which may be based on traditional research, internships, or professional problems.

The Ph.D. is Fine Arts (major in Theatre, track in Arts Management) is the only one of its kind in the country. Many of the graduates have become department chairs and deans at major universities. The faculty assists in finding employment for MFA/Ph.D. graduates in their fields of interest.

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Administration of the Program

Linda Donahue, Ph.D. is the program director. The program is housed in the Department of Theatre and Dance within the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The Ph.D. in Fine Arts (major in Theatre) is an interdisciplinary program that requires a number of hours in Art, Music, and Philosophy, with the majority of the hours in Theatre courses. The Fine Arts Doctoral Committee counsels the interdisciplinary Ph.D., with representation from the Department of Theatre and Dance, the School of Art, and the School of Music.

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Curriculum

The MFA in Theatre Management requires the completion of a total of 60 credit hours. The program takes 2-3 years to complete.

Required Courses

Advanced Practicum in Repertory Theatre I
Advanced Practicum in Repertory Theatre II
Advanced Directing
Theatre Management
Theatre Management (Practicum)
Theatre Arts in Contemporary Context
Promotion in Theatre Arts
Promotion in Theatre Arts (Practicum)
Funding of Theatre Arts
Funding of Theatre Arts (Practicum)
Advocacy for the Performing Arts
Theatre Planning
Problems in Lighting, Costuming, Scenery
Seminar in Theatre Research Methods
Internship
Independent Study (Thesis Project)

Electives

Theatre Scene Design
Theatre Lighting Design
Theatre Costume Design
Theatre History Survey
Seminar in Theatre History
Script Analysis
Public Relations Media
Publication Design & Graphics
Public Relations Cases & Problems
Public Relations in the Nonprofit Sector
Advertising & the Consumer
Marketing Foundations
Public Budgeting
Public Personnel Administration

Other elective courses outside of Theatre Arts may be taken as approved by the Head of Arts Management

Student must complete 60 credit hours for the Ph.D. in Fine Arts: 48 course hours and 12 dissertation hours.

Required courses:

History/Critical Perspectives in the Visual Arts
History/Critical Perspectives in Music
Visual Arts in Contemporary Context
Music in Contemporary Context
Contemporary Aesthetics
History of Aesthetics

Theatre Courses
Students choose two tracks (Arts Administration, Acting/Directing, Design, History/Theory/Criticism, or Playwriting); minimum of 12 hrs required in each track, plus electives

Arts Administration Courses
Theatre Management
Promotion in Theatre Arts
Funding of Theatre Arts
Advocacy for the Arts
Theatre Planning

Additional Info: The Department of Theatre and Dance is dedicated equally to production and scholarship (practice and theory). Each student will participate actively in the production program of the University Theatre in arts administration activities or other production duties. The PhD does not have a foreign language requirement but does require active production participation. Internships and practicums are required and/or strongly encouraged outside of the university environment. Recent placements include Theatre Communication Group, Lincoln Center, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Admissions

Admission to the program is a two-pronged process. MFA and Ph.D. students should apply to both the Graduate School and to the Department of Theatre and Dance. An on-line Graduate School application is available at www.ttu.edu/~gradsch/. For information call (806) 742-2787. Fee payment may also be made on-line. Send transcripts, GRE scores and fee to:

Graduate School
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX 79409-1030

The Department of Theatre and Dance requires three letters of recommendation, preferably from sources in theatre or related fields; a writing sample, minimum of 250 words, about some aspect of theatre; a statement of purpose for graduate studies; and an interview in person or by telephone with the Head of Theatre Management. For more information about departmental requirements, contact:

Dr. Jonathan Marks, Departmental Graduate Advisor
Telephone: (806) 742-3601 ext 229
E-mail: jonathan.marks@ttu.edu