Florida State University

Theatre Management Program

School of Theatre
Fine Arts Building, ROom 324
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1160
United States
Main Phone: (850) 644-7234
Main E-Mail: drowell@mailer.fsu.edu

Degree/Credential: Graduate (MA, MFA in Theatre)
Web Site: http://www.fsu.edu/~theatre

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

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Program Goals and Objectives

The School of Theatre was founded in 1973 and offers degrees in all areas of Theatre. The MFA in Theatre Management was established in 1978. The three-year terminal degree program consists of two years in residence on the FSU campus in Tallahassee and a third year spent in an internship at the FSU/Asolo and Ringling Center for the Performing Arts in Sarasota, Florida or pursuing internship opportunities in other theatres or arts organizations. Yearly enrollment consists of approximately eight students in residence and four on internships. Typically, four new students are admitted each year. Alumni of the program are working in professional regional theatres, major orchestras, performing arts centers, and related arts and culture organization across America.

The mission of the Theatre Management program is to help enhance the professional management of theatres and arts organizations in America by developing future theatre managers and leaders. The objective of the program is to give students the skills they need to continue their own development and growth. Students graduate with an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of producing theatre as well as an understanding of management principles, personnel, finance, marketing and fundraising and a working knowledge of computer applications in arts management. The dynamics of a strong School of Music, and the Schools of Visual Arts and Dance, Film, Communications, Public Policy and Business help create an environment for a student to pursue a specialized professional education.

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Administration of the Program

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Curriculum

MFA Theatre Management Degree Requirements
Each student is advised on a plan of study designed to meet his or her individual needs. Core courses, in combination with practicum and electives, allow each student to pursue specializations that include a range of subject matter.
Each student takes the following:
A. Six Management Seminars
B. Four Practicum assignments
C. At least two courses in Theatre History/Literature
D. Other Electives
E. Internship

A. Management Seminars
A series of special topic seminars are offered on a rotating basis over a two-year period. Year 1: FALL -- Legal and Business Issues in the Arts. SPRING -- Arts Marketing & Public Relations, Economics & Financial Management. Year 2: FALL - Leadership, Personnel & Organizational Management. SPRING - Fundraising Strategies & Practices in the Arts, Project Management, Event Planning & Contracts.

B. Practicum
Each semester a management student is enrolled in Practicum for at least 3 credits and for a total of 12 credits while in residence on campus. The practicum experience varies each semester but usually includes areas such as:

    Marketing and Public Relations
    Ticket sales and operations
    House management
    Computer Applications in Management
    Fundraising and Event Planning
    Production Management

C. History/Literature Requirement - Students must complete 6 hours from among the courses listed below:

    Advanced Play Analysis
    African-American Theatre History
    Gender, Race & Performance
    American Theatre History
    History of Acting
    History of Directing
    Selected Topics in Drama Literature

D. Electives in Management, Arts Administration, Finance, Marketing and Communications
Depending on the student's individual interests and career goals, electives maybe selected from other areas such as:

    Individual & Group Behavior
    Production & Operations Mgt.
    Managerial Accounting
    Information & Technology Management
    Organization & Leadership Management
    Human Resources Management
    Media Planning
    Media Market Research
    Desktop Multimedia
    Grants Writing
    Arts in Community Service
    Administration of Arts Programs

The third year of study normally consists of an internship at the Asolo Theatre in Sarasota, Florida. The Asolo theatre provides an environment where the student can rotate through the specific areas of marketing, education/outreach and fundraising during the academic year. Other options for internships may be arranged. Students have completed internships at such places as The Alliance Theatre, The Berkeley Rep, Arizona Opera, The Shakespeare Theatre, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, The Orlando Shakespeare Festival, and more.

Each semester students participate in reviews of their work with a committee of faculty and staff. There is no written thesis in the program. At the end of the three-year program a student presents a portfolio of work and projects. The review committee of three faculty members assess these materials and the student responds in writing to prepared questions about a range of topics relating to theatre, management, and the arts. The successful candidate is the approved for graduation with the terminal degree of MFA in Theatre Management.

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Admissions

Applicants are expected to have a BA, BS or BFA degree in theatre or a theatre minor. In lieu of the theatre major or minor we will consider on a case-by-case basis substantial experience in one or more area of the arts. Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. In addition, all applicants must take the GRE and achieve a minimum combined score of 1000 on verbal and quantitative areas. International students are required to achieve the required score of 550 (213 computer based) on the TOEFL exam in order to gain admission the FSU Graduate School. For further information review the FSU website at www.fsu.edu/prospective/graduate/admissions.shtml

To apply please consult our website for application details. Typically applicants submit to the FSU Graduate Admissions Office the following:

    FSU application
    Application Fee
    Transcripts
    GRE and/or TOEFL scores

Send to School of Theatre:

    School of Theatre application
    Three letters of recommendation
    Statement of Purpose (suggested 500 words maximum)
    Resume
    Writing samples (at least three)

Applicants must complete an interview at the FSU campus or one of the following sites: U/RTA (New York, Chicago, or San Francisco), SETC Conference (site varies), or USITT Conference (site varies). Typically, these interviews are concluded by late February and offer letters are sent to qualified applicants by mid-March. It is recommended that all application materials should be submitted by January 15 of each year.

Aid available to graduate students is in the form of assistantships, fellowships, and student loans. Assistantships are awarded on the basis of the student's academic record, financial need, and skills needed by the School of Theatre. Assistantships pay a stipend and include a tuition waiver for a maximum of three years. Half-time assistantships are typically assigned in either the Fine Arts Ticket Office, Marketing & PR, or the Development Office.

Applicants should also be aware of the University Fellowship and other fellowships offered by outside organizations, such as the McKnight Foundation and the Ford Foundation, which are often very generous. Some of these are specifically earmarked for minority students.