DIRECTING (MFA)
Overview
The Theatre School’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in directing is a high octane three-year program that gives artistically ambitious directors a challenging training ground to develop and explore their artistic vision. Two students are selected to enter the program each year. All MFA Directing students are guaranteed a scholarship, which is renewable all three years.
Our curriculum focuses on marrying skill and imagination with both small seminar and active practicum courses dedicated to expanding our students' directorial toolboxes and inciting their artistry. Our production program challenges student directors to conceive, pitch, design, cast, and rehearse five fully produced projects over three seasons as resident directors in our state-of-the-art facilities.
Our distinguished faculty of working artists provide real world instruction and a direct pipeline to the field. Situated just a short walk or El ride away from some of its most storied theatres, The Theatre School shares a revolving door with the city of Chicago - one of the nation's most vibrant theatre scenes. The artists, leaders, productions, and theatres that our MFA directors come into contact with inspire them while they are in school and launch them when they graduate.
Download the MFA Directing Viewbook
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Curriculum & Production Work
First Year: Digging In
The focus of the first year is preparation and research. Directing students complete coursework in play analysis, dramatic theory, dramaturgy and conceptualization in order to prepare for production. Additionally, students engage in an investigation of the collaborative process with design students and take a progression of acting courses in order to become familiar with the acting approach and vocabulary of The Theatre School. Production work will include one assistant directing assignment with a faculty or guest artist in our public production season and a directing assignment in The Theatre School Studio Series.
Second Year: Embracing the Process
Second year coursework focuses on learning by doing in a laboratory setting. Directors study both traditional and alternative approaches to directing by experimenting in collaboration with actors. Students continue to investigate the collaborative process with designers and move into learning heightened text from the actors point of view. Production work will include directing a fully-executed production in the Healy Theatre, our 100-seat state-of-the-art flexible stage, and two full-length productions in our Studio Series.
Third Year: Accepting the Challenge
The third year focuses on preparation for the profession. Students direct a thesis project produced in the Watts Theatre, our 250-seat state-of-the-art thrust theatre and begin their transition into the field through a professional internship within the vibrant Chicago theatre community. Students also study the role of the director in the new play process and can enhance their portfolio through elective coursework.
Meet The Faculty
“We are looking for a few visionary artists who want to challenge the world they live in through their work in the theatre. We seek early career directors with professional experience who are ready to hone their craft, strengthen their vision, and take full advantage of the art form.”
Lisa Portes
Head of MFA Directing
Alumni Highlights
- Ben Raanan ('20): Artistic Director The Phamaly Theatre Company in Denver Colorado, a creative home for theatre artists with disabilities. Learn more about Ben's work.
- Jeremy Aluma ('19): Executive Director, Alliance for Jewish Theatre, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Chance Theater, Anaheim, CA. SDC Observership Class of 2018–2019. Learn more about Jeremy's work.
- April Cleveland ('19): Artistic Director, EXODUS Ensemble (Santa Fe, NM); assisted Robert Icke in Switzerland on The Crucible at Theatre Basel; assisted Pam MacKinnon on Downstate by Bruce Norris at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. Learn more about April's work.
- Michael Burke ('18): Newly named Associate Artistic Director at About Face Theatre, Chicago. Inaugural Artistic Fellow at Northlight Theatre. Princess Grace Award 2017. Victory Gardens Directors Inclusion Fellow 18-19. Learn more about Michael's work.
- Jacob Janssen ('18): Artistic Director of Third Avenue PlayWorks in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Former Artistic Producer at The COOP, NYC. Learn more about Jacob's work.
- Nathan Singh ('17): Cynosemma, a new opera by Megan Breen and O'Lan Jones, at Son of Semele, LA. Assisted Seret Scott on Electra at Court Theatre, Chicago. 2016 SDCF Sir John Gielgud Fellowship in Directing.
- Lavina Jadhwani ('15): Peter and the Starcatcher at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, As You Like It at the Guthrie, Gloria at Mixed Blood, Roe at Asolo Rep. Phil Killian Directors Fellowship at OSF, National Directors Fellowship, and Drama League Classical Directors Fellowship.
- Michael Osinski ('14): Producing Artistic Director of The Antidote in Philadelphia. Drama League Directors Fellowship 2014.
- Ian Frank ('13): Former Associate Artistic Director for Remy Bumppo Theatre Company in Chicago. Frankenstein adapted by Nick Dear for Remy Bumppo, 2019 Jeff Award for Best Director of a Play and Best Production. Learn more about Ian's work.
- Marc David Pinate ('13): Producing Artistic Director at Borderlands in Tuscon, AZ since 2013, where he has led nationally acclaimed place-making projects focused on border narratives and revamped the mission to focus on community responsive work. Learn more about Marc's work.
- Azar Kazemi ('11): Founder and Creative Director of The Blind Owl. The Wizards by Ricardo Gamboa for Goodman's New Stages and the U.S. premiere of dirty butterfly by debbie tucker green at Theatre on the Lake.
- Keira Fromm ('09): Artistic Associate at About Face Theatre. The Moors at American Players Theater, The Last Match at Writers Theatre, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Theatre Squared (Little Rock, AR), and Dada Woof Papa Hot and Bull in a China Shop at About Face Theatre. Learn more about Keira's work.?
