Graduate Program

All questions should be directed to: (505) 277-4332
(your call will be directed to appropriate advisor)

FAX (505) 277-8921
e-mail: theatre@unm.edu or dance@unm.edu 

Admission Deadlines    
Semester    Domestic Applicants International Applicants
Fall: February 15 May 1
Spring: None accepted  
Summer: None Accepted  

If you wish to be considered for financial aid the deadline is February 1.

To receive an early response, applicants are encouraged to submit a complete application as early as possible.

International applicants require additional materials and are processed through The University of New Mexico’s International Admissions Office. Call (505) 277-5829 or e-mail: goglobal@unm.edu for more information.

Programs in the Department of Theatre and Dance are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).

To enter the program, the student should have completed an undergraduate major in theatre or dance or have taken a minimum of 24 hours in Theatre and/or Dance, including History, Criticism, Dramatic Literature, Directing, Playwriting, Choreography, Technical Theatre and Performance. However, students with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines are eligible for admittance. Contact the Department for information.

The student applying for admission should obtain a Self-Managed Application from the Office of Admissions:
Call: (505) 277-4332
Online application form: http://ogs.unm.edu (click forms)

Other application materials required by the department:
• Three letters of recommendation
• Academic/scholarly writing sample

For the M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing–
• A full-length script (stage, screen television play; drama or comedy or two one-act plays)

For the M.F.A. in Dance–
• A resume of educational and professional dance experience
• A 12-minute VHS videotape or DVD of recent choreography or dance performance work


Degrees Offered

Time Limit for Completion of Degree

All work toward an M.A. or M.F.A. degree in the department (including course work transferred from another institution) must be completed within a five-year period. This time is calculated by counting back from the planned semester of graduation.

Dance Program Mission

The mission of the Dance Program at The University of New Mexico is to promote healthy physical practices in dance, encourage artistic exploration that can successfully encompass interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to performance, enhance critical thinking skills that connect theory and practice, and provide an educational landscape that develops multicultural academic and artistic perspective. The Dance Program endeavors to create knowledgeable and skillful dancers, guiding student academic and career goals to align with student affinities and abilities. The vision of the program is to provide the most current, experimental, and sophisticated choreography curriculum and productions in the southwest, and to explore and value the rich tradition of dance history as a living legacy for the contemporary artist/scholar. The program promotes and utilizes national and international faculty connections for student academic and professional experience while offering the world’s first and only Flamenco Concentration in a university setting which includes a Visiting Professor line.


M.F.A. in Dance

M.F.A. in Dance The Master of Fine Arts in Dance is a three-year terminal degree program that serves a select population of emerging artists pursuing a future in performance, choreography, and teaching, with focus areas in Choreography and/or Performance. The program promotes the growth and development of artistic achievement balanced with scholarship, accepting only students who show artistic excellence and who demonstrate exceptional potential for future progress. The M.F.A. dissertation in Dance consists of an evening concert of original choreography and an accompanying written dissertation.

Graduate Core:    
THEA/DANC 500 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
THEA/DANC 503 Performance Theory 3
THEA/DANC 506 Critical Issues in the Performing Arts  3
Dance Core:    
DANC 510 Creative Investigations I 3
DANC 511 Choreography II 3
DANC 515 Creative Investigations II 3
DANC 516 Dance Pedagogy 3
DANC 549 Dance Technique for Graduate Student 24
DANC 531, 562, 563, 564, 566 or 567 Dance History or Dance Criticism 3
DANC 699 Dissertation 6
Electives:    
  Six hours graduate electives in the student's area of interest 6
  Total: 60


M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing

For the student preparing to enter the profession of writing for the stage and media the department offers the M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing. The focus of the program is the creation of new work for the stage, the media and the classroom.

Required Courses

Graduate Core:    
THEA 500 Introduction to Graduate Studies 3
THEA 503 Performance Theory 3
THEA 506 Critical Issues in the Performing Arts     
3
THEA 512 Topics Seminar in Theatre 3
  Subtotal: 12
Writing Core:    
THEA 555 Dramatic Writing I 8
THEA 556 Dramatic Writing II 8
THEA 557 The Writer's Stage 8
THEA 558 Screenwriting 6
THEA 559 Topics in Dramatic Writing 6
  Subtotal: 36
Elective Courses 6
THEA 699 M.F.A. Dissertation 6
  Minimum hours required for degree: 60 hours


Qualifying Review

After completing 20 hours of graduate credit the student will submit all writing completed since entering the program. A committee of review with 3–5 members will be appointed by the Department’s graduate committee. This committee will be composed of individuals with expertise in writing both in and outside the department. To continue in the second year of the M.F.A. program, all students must receive a pass on the promise of their writing. Students will be notified before the start of the Fall semester. The review will be the occasion for a comprehensive review of the student’s work to that point and a frank evaluation of his or her promise in the profession. Three options are open to the M.F.A. Graduate Committee at this point: 1) continuation in the M.F.A. program; 2) dismissal from the graduate program; or 3) the committee may request the work be resubmitted after addressing a specific set of concerns. Resubmissions must be completed and rereviewed before the beginning of the Fall semester. Students may have a maximum of two tries to pass this review.

Advancement to Candidacy and Comprehensive Examination

After successfully completing 30 hours of graduate work, including completion of one full cycle of the writing core: 555, 556 and 557, all students will take a comprehensive examination at the end of their fourth semester of study. This examination will cover the areas of knowledge explored in the required core courses. Once the Comprehensive Examination is passed the student will submit the Application for Candidacy to the Office of Graduate Studies. If approved the Dean of Graduate Studies will formally advance the student to Candidacy.

Requirements for Graduation

The Master of Fine Arts degree requires a minimum of 60 hours of work, no more than 24 of which can be transferred from other programs–either from within the University of New Mexico or elsewhere. In addition, the candidate must have:

  1. completed no fewer than 42 graduate hours in residency at the University of New Mexico;
  2. completed 12 hours of a "core" curriculum, plus the remainder of the recommended sequence withing the program and passed a Comprehensive Examination on the "core" curriculum;
  3. completed a minimum of six complete scripts to the satisfaction of the M.F.A. Committee;
  4. have at least three scripts produced in a forum suitable to the M.F.A. Committee. These might include: Concert Readings; The Writer's Stage; Experimental Theatre Series; University Theatre season productions (at the University of New Mexico or elsewhere); Professional Productions.

M.F.A. Dissertation

The M.F.A. Dissertation is the major work, full length play or screenplay written in the final year of the candidate’s program. It is written in the course of the final year’s work in 555 and 556. The Dissertation work must be presented in 557 Writer’s Stage in the final semester in a public presentation which can take the form of a staged concert reading or, given questions of merit and availability of facilities, a more comprehensive presentation.

The play or screenplay must be accompanied by an essay that addresses such topics as the creative process which lies behind the work’s development, the research done for the Dissertation work, and presents an analysis of the issues and meaning embodied in the Dissertation work.

In addition to the Dissertation work the successful M.F.A. candidate must complete the following works to graduate: four scripts (two full length plays, one full length screenplay, one short screen or stage piece).


M.A. in Theatre and Dance

Concentrations: Dramatic Writing, Theatre Education and Outreach, Dance History and Criticism.

The Department of Theatre and Dance offers master's level work in theatre and dance for the student preparing for teaching, practice, or further graduate study. In general, the focus of the program is the creation of new works of theatre and dance for stage and classroom, and development of research skills.

Required Courses

The purpose of the required courses for the Master of Arts degree is to provide a common conceptual framework for all graduate students in the program. The required courses aim to strengthen critical and practical skills that will support and guide students' direction and concentration in the remainder of the program and beyond.

THEA/DANC 500 Introduction to Graduate Study 3
THEA/DANC 503 Performance Theory 3
THEA/DANC 506 Critical Issues in the Performing Arts 3
THEA/DANC 512 Graduate Seminar (elective) 3

    
Degree Plans

Dance concentration in Dance History and Criticism  
Required core: DANC 500 and either DANC 503 or 506 6
Dance requirements: 6 hours from DANC 562, 563, 564, 566, or 567
6
DANC 531 Criticism 3
Electives related to concentration 9
Thesis 6
Total 30
Theatre concentration in Dramatic Writing or Theatre Education and Outreach  
Plan I (Thesis):  
Required core: THEA 500, 503, 506 and 512 12
Electives related to concentration 12
THEA 599 Master's Thesis (minimum hours) 6
Total 30
Plan II (Essay):  
Required core: THEA 500, 503, 506 and 512 12
Electives related to concentration 12
THEA 598 Master's Essay 3
Other electives 6
Total 33


Plan I – Master’s Thesis

This is the traditional M.A. program, and culminates in the writing of a formal Thesis, a work of original research and writing (typically, 60-85 pages) that explores in depth a particular, carefully delimited subject related to the student’s area of study. Plan I is especially recommended for students who intend to eventually pursue a Ph.D. The thesis must be written in the UNM Office of Graduate Studies format.

Plan II – Master’s Essay and Creative Project

Plan II does not require a Thesis, but does require both a substantial Creative Project (usually, this means directing a full-length performance or project in the department, the schools or community, as well as a Master’s Essay. The Master’s Essay is intended to conform to the standards of a major seminar paper or journal article, including careful organization, clarity of argument, original research with full citation, bibliography, typically 30-50 pages in length. The Master’s Essay may address a topic related to the Creative Project, but this is not absolutely necessary. Plan II also includes a written exam, taken during the student’s final semester in the program.

Plan II Master’s Exam

The Master’s Exam is conducted by a faculty committee of three. The supervisor of the student’s Master’s Essay normally serves as chairperson of the committee and the other two members are chosen in consultation with the student. The subject matter of the examination questions is taken from the particular program of studies followed by the student. The subject matter of the Master’s Essay must be included in the examination questions. Usually the exam is written; the committee may elect, however, to conduct some portion of the exam orally. The length of the exam is three hours. Each member of the committee conducting the exam submits at least one question.


Courses

DANC 105. Dance Appreciation. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 110. Modern Dance I. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



DANC 113. Introduction to Historical Dance Forms. (3)



DANC 116. Mexican Folk Dance I. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 118. Tap I. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



DANC 127. African Dance I. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 132. Jazz I. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



DANC 149. Ballet I. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



DANC 169. Flamenco I. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



DANC 170. Hip Hop I. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 201. Crew Practicum. (0)



DANC 204. Stretching, Strengthening and Conditioning for the Performing Arts. (3 to a maximum of 15 Δ)



DANC 210. Modern Dance II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 212. Improvisation. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 218. Tap II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 232. Jazz II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 240. Music Essentials for Contemporary Dance. (3)



DANC 249. Ballet II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 250. Movement Analysis I. (3, no limit Δ)



DANC 251. Movement Analysis II. (2)



DANC 269. Flamenco II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 289. Topics in Flamenco. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 295. Special Topics in Dance. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 304 / 504. Theories of Movement. (3)



DANC 305 / 505. Stretch, Strength and Conditioning for Performance Arts II. (3 to a maximum of 15 Δ)



DANC 308. Studies in Dance Forms. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 310. Modern Dance III. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 311. Choreography I. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 313. Kinesiology. (3, no limit Δ)



DANC 327. African Dance II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 349. Ballet III. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 369. Flamenco III. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 370. Hip Hop II. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 379. Flamenco Structure/Improvisation. (3)



DANC 411 / 511. Choreography II. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 412. Senior Performance. (2)



DANC 416 / 516. Dance Pedagogy. (3)



DANC 431 . Writing about Dance . (3)



DANC 450 / 550. Movement Analysis III. (3)



DANC 462 / 562. Dance History I. (3)



DANC 463 / 563. Dance History II. (3)



DANC 464 / 564. Dance History III. (3)



DANC 466 / 566. Flamenco History. (3)



DANC 467 / 567. Dance History IV: Contemporary Topics in Dance Studies. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 479 / 579. Flamenco Choreography. (3)



DANC *484. Evaluating the Arts. (3)



DANC 487 / 587. Contemporary Interdisciplinary Topics. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 495. Special Studies in Dance. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 496 / 596. Student Production Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 497 / 597. Independent Study. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 499. Departmental Honors. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 500. Introduction to Graduate Study. (3)



DANC 503. Performance Theory. (3)



DANC 504 / 304. Theories of Movement. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 505 / 305. Stretch, Strength and Conditioning for Performance Arts II. (3 to a maximum of 15 Δ)



DANC 506. Critical Issues in the Performing Arts. (3)



DANC 509. Graduate Internship. (3-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 510. Creative Investigations I. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 511 / 411. Choreography II. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 512. Graduate Seminar. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 515. Creative Investigations II. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 516 / 416. Dance Pedagogy. (3 to a maximum of 6)



DANC 531 . Dance Criticism . (3)



DANC 549. Dance Technique for Graduate Student. (1-4 Δ)



DANC 550 / 450. Movement Analysis III. (3)



DANC 551 / 552. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 562 / 462. Dance History I. (3 to a maximum of 6 )



DANC 563. Dance History II. (3 to a maximum of 6)



DANC 564 / 464. Dance History III. (3 to a maximum of 6)



DANC 566 / 466. Flamenco History. (3 to a maximum of 6)



DANC 567 / 467. Dance History IV: Contemporary Topics in Dance Studies. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 579 / 479. Flamenco Choreography. (3 to a maximum of 6)



DANC 587 / 487. Contemporary Interdisciplinary Topics. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



DANC 596 / 496. Student Production Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 597 / 497. Independent Study. (1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



DANC 598. Master’s Essay in Theatre and Dance. (3)



DANC 599. Master’s Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



DANC 699. Dissertation. (3-6, no limit Δ)



THEA 105 . Theatre Appreciation. (3)



THEA 130. Acting I . (3)



THEA 131. Acting II . (3)



THEA 192. Stagecraft I. (3)



THEA 194. Introduction to Costuming for Performance and New Media [Introduction to Costuming]. (3)



THEA 196. Introduction to Stage Lighting. (3)



THEA 200. Theatre Practicum. (1 to a maximum of 4 Δ)



THEA 223. Introduction to Script Analysis. (3)



THEA 226. Ensemble Improvisation. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 230. Acting III . (3)



THEA 231. Voice and Movement I . (3)



THEA 267. Acting Study for Non-Majors. (3, no limit Δ)



THEA 290. Stagecraft II. (3)



THEA 292. Rendering for Stage, Screen, and New Media . (3)



THEA 295. Studies in Theatre. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 296. Lighting Methods and Equipment. (3)



THEA 304. Make-Up Design for Performance and New Media [Make Up Design for Stage, Film and Television]. (3)



THEA 314. Pattern Development. (3)



THEA 328. Musical Theatre. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 330. Acting IV. (3)



THEA 331. Voice and Movement II. (3)



THEA 332. Speech and Dialects for the Stage. (3)



THEA 333. Topics in Physical Theatre . (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 334. The Decorated Body. (3)



THEA 345. Theatre History I. (3)



THEA 346. Theatre History II. (3)



THEA 355. Fundamentals of Playwriting. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 366. Stage Management. (2)



THEA 367. Stage Management Production Laboratory. (1 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



THEA 370. 2-D CAD and 3-D Viz . (3)



THEA 371. Digital Imagery and Production. (3)



THEA 386. Light Aesthetics. (3)



THEA 387. Design History and Styles for Performance and New Media [Design History and Styles]. (3)



THEA 390. Scenic Painting for Stage and Screen. (3)



THEA 391. Advanced Scenic Techniques. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ )



THEA 392. Introduction to Scenic Design for Performance and New Media. (3)



THEA 394. Costume Design for Performance and New Media [Costume Design I]. (3)



THEA 396. Lighting Design I. (3)



THEA 397. Sound for Performance. (3)



THEA 398. Costume Techniques. (3)



THEA 399. Special Problems in Theatre and Production. (1-3 Δ)



THEA 403. Directing I . (3)



THEA 404 / 504. Topics in Directing. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 415 / 515. Theatre for Educational and Social Change. (3)



THEA 418 / 518. Creative Drama. (3)



THEA 419 / 519. Children’s Theatre. (3)



THEA 428. Topics in Musical Theatre. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 430. Acting Characterization. (3)



THEA 431. Advanced Acting: Classical Styles. (3)



THEA 432 / 532. Advanced Acting- Beyond Realism. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 433 / 533. Advanced Acting: Shakespeare. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 434. Performance Art . (3)



THEA 435. Acting for the Camera. (3)



THEA 437/537. Acting-Entering the Profession. (3)



THEA 444 / 544. Outreach Company. (1-3 to a maximum of 4 Δ)



THEA 445/545. Topics in Theatre History and Criticism. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 446/546. Theories of Theatre. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA *455. Seminar in Playwriting. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA *456L. Playwriting Laboratory. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 457. Advanced Dramatic Writing Workshop. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 458 / 558. Screenwriting. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 461 / 561. Comedy Writing II. (3)



THEA *467. Performance Study. (1-3, may be repeated 3 times Δ)



THEA 470 / 570. Architectural Modeling, Visualization, and Presentation for Designers. (3)



THEA 471 / 571. Video Content Production . (3)



THEA 472 / 572. 3-D Modeling and Animation for Designers. (3)



THEA 473. Interactive Design and Technology. (3)



THEA 475 / 575. Special Topics in Computers for Design. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 482. Scene Design Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



THEA 483. Lighting Design II. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ [3])



THEA *484. Evaluating the Arts. (3)



THEA 487 / 587. Evaluating the Arts. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 488. Lighting Design Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)



THEA 491. Professional Apprenticeship. (1-6, no limit Δ)



THEA 492. Advanced Scenic Design for Stage, Screen, and New Media . (3)



THEA 493 / 593. Art Direction for TV, Film, and New Media [Art Direction for TV/Film]. (3)



THEA 494. Advanced Costume Design for Performance and New Media [Costume Design II]. (3)



THEA 495. Studies in Theatre. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 496 / 596. Student Production Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 497 / 597. Independent Study. (2-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 498. Design Seminar. (3)



THEA 499. Departmental Honors. (3-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 500. Introduction to Graduate Studies. (3)



THEA 503. Performance Theory. (3)



THEA 504 / 404. Topics in Directing. (3, no limit Δ)



THEA 506. Critical Issues in the Performing Arts. (3)



THEA 512. Graduate Seminar. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 515 / 415. Theatre for Educational and Social Change. (3)



THEA 518 / 418. Creative Drama. (3)



THEA 519 / 419. Children’s Theatre. (3)



THEA 529. Advanced Topics in Theatre and Dance. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 532 / 432. Advanced Acting- Beyond Realism. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 533 / 433. Advanced Acting: Shakespeare. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 537/437. Acting-Entering the Profession. (3)



THEA 544 / 444. Outreach Company. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 545/445. Topics in Theatre History and Criticism. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 546/446. Theories of Theatre. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



THEA 551. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 555. Problems. (4 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 556. Dramatic Writing II. (4 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 557. The Writer’s Stage III. (4 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 558 / 458. Screenwriting. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 559. Topics in Dramatic Writing. (3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



THEA 561 / 461. Comedy Writing II. (3)



THEA 571 / 471. Video Content Production . (3)



THEA 572 / 472. 3-D Modeling and Animation for Designers. (3)



THEA 573. Interactive Design and Technology. (3)



THEA 575 / 475. Special Topics in Computers for Design. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 587 / 487. Contemporary Interdisciplinary Topics. (3 to a maximum of 6 ∆)



THEA 593 / 493. Art Direction for TV, Film, and New Media [Art Direction for TV/Film]. (3)



THEA 596 / 496. Student Production Project. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 597 / 497. Independent Study. (2-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



THEA 598. Master’s Essay in Theatre and Dance. (3)



THEA 599. Master’s Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



THEA 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)



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1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 277-8900
Fax: (505) 277-6809