In Practice

We emphasize hands-on directing. Working with both undergraduate and MFA actors, our MFA directors stage at least seven full productions in their three-year residency--including fully budgeted second-year and third-year shows. Two shows are scheduled as part of UCI's subscription season, often reviewed by press such as the Los Angeles Times--sometimes winning prestigious "Best Play" awards in direct comparison with the area's many professional companies.

From the first quarter, student directors are trained in various modes of collaboration with designers and actors and begin work immediately on a workshop production. Students meet with Keith Fowler, Head of Directing, and other faculty mentor directors in private tutorials, and present scene work in the weekly Directors' Lab. All MFA directors' work is evaluated in faculty and peer critiques. Many MFA directors find internships with Equity companies during their tenure at UCI.

Tutorials and lectures focus on the history of directing, classical and romantic styles, Shakespeare, realism/naturalism, comedy, and postmodern and meta-theatrical experimentation. Directed reading from Aristotle to Artaud engages each student in a personal exploration of theory to balance the intensely practical program.

UCI is proud of its many MFA directing alumni who are now professionally active throughout the country and in such centers of live drama as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Britain, and Europe.

<< Back   ::   Next >>