MASTERS OF ARTS IN THEATRE
The Hunter College Theatre Department, located in the heart of New York City, is accepting applications for a newly redesigned MA in Theatre, beginning Fall 2025. The new Theatre MA degree is grounded in wide-ranging and comprehensive historical study of theatre arts as well as intensive analytical study of drama and performance, leading to a culminating creative Capstone Project in a concentration of choice that students will design themselves in consultation with faculty.
The curriculum includes required courses in theatre history and play analysis and numerous elective courses in specific theatrical traditions and major artists, dramaturgy, playwriting, acting, directing, design, and producing. All courses integrate history with theory and literature, and literature and scholarship with theatrical practice, as well as engage actively with the New York theatre world.
The program welcomes a diverse range of applicants with different backgrounds. A solid undergraduate background in Theatre Studies is helpful but not necessary. Dedicated practical experience in theatre-making, with a demonstrated commitment to excellence, is equally valuable. Students may use their MA degree as preparation for Ph.D. and MFA programs or for further professional work in theatre. We anticipate many Capstone Projects developing further after Hunter as seeds for professional publication and theatre productions.
Our graduate theatre faculty includes artists and scholars with wide and deep experience in all major areas of theatre. In addition to the permanent faculty, our Harold Clurman Professorship supports prestigious visitors—artists and scholars—that in the past have included Arthur Kopit, Eric Bentley, Gordon Rogoff, Andre DeShields, Arthur Miller, Ruby Dee, Martin Esslin, and Stanley Kauffmann.
REQUIREMENTS
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Bachelor’s degree.
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Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
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Two letters of recommendation from people able to comment on the applicant’s academic and creative skills, talent, and determination.
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A statement of purpose of approximately 500 words describing the applicant’s background, interest in the program, and long-term objectives.
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Writing sample that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to do graduate level writing, preferably an academic paper.
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Applicants are welcome to provide additional materials indicating competence in areas other than academic writing related to the program (design portfolios, dramaturgical research, etc.)
GRE is not required.
Degree Requirements
Course of Study: Each candidate must complete an approved program of study of at least 30 credits, including 12 credits of required courses:
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THC 75100 – Theatre Histories 1 (3 cr)
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THC 75200 – Theatre Histories 2 (3cr)
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THC 79000 – Play Analysis (3cr)
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THC 79900 – Capstone Project: (THC 79900 – 3 credits) Upon completion of 21 credits, each student must propose and complete a capstone project, developed and created in consultation with a faculty advisor. Students must register for THC 79900 in the semester in which they propose and begin their capstone projects.
The remaining 18 credits are fulfilled by electives. Electives rotate on a regular basis.
Courses other than those in the Department of Theatre may be applied toward the 30 credits with the approval of the graduate adviser but may not exceed 9 credits. No more than 9 credits may be transferred from nonmatriculated to matriculated status.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Graduates of our Masters in Theatre Program will be able to:
- Demonstrate a general command of the major events and movement in the theatre
- Demonstrate a general command of theories of the theatre
- Will have facility in critical analysis of plays and performance
- Demonstrate proficiency in theatre research method