Master of Fine Arts Theatre Directing

The Department of Theatre offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre with specialization in Directing.

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in directing focuses on the practice of directing contemporary theatre. It allows students to develop their skills in the art of directing, and offers the unique opportunity to study both English and French theatre practices in a bilingual and bicultural setting. The program is designed to prepare students to work as directors in the professional theatre.

The program is offered full-time and extends over two years. It can be pursued in English and in French.

In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have a right to produce their work, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English.

The programs are governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

Admission to the graduate program in Theatre is governed by the “General Regulations” in effect for graduate studies.

All applicants must be able to understand speak and write proficiently either English or French. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other. The list of acceptable proofs is indicated in the “Admission” section of the General Regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Admission requirements for the MFA program:

A bachelor’s degree with a specialization or a major, or the equivalent, in Theatre with a minimum average of 75% (B+) in the last two years and a 70 % (B) average overall;
A solid background in the literature, theory and history of the theatre;
A working knowledge of how theatre is done, including an understanding of the basic techniques of acting, production and theatre administration;
Experience and a demonstrable skill and talent for theatre directing;
Some successful pursuit of theatre work beyond the university setting;
Proficiency in one of the two official languages and at least a passive knowledge of the other; a passive knowledge implies the ability to follow courses in both official languages, and to appreciate the English and French theatrical traditions, culture and practice.

The program combines two compulsory courses, production courses, directing seminars, and a practicum where students observe a senior director mount a production in a professional theatre. Students must undergo a diagnostic examination upon entry into the program.

A total of 39 units are required as follows:

Course List
Code	Title	Units
Compulsory Courses:
THE 5130	Dramaturgy	3 Units
THE 5140	Theory of Performance	3 Units
Production Courses:
THE 5901	Production I	3 Units
THE 5902	Production II	3 Units
THE 5903	Production III	3 Units
THE 5952	Formal Pre-Production Analysis	3 Units
THE 6001	Final Product ¹	6 Units
Seminars:
THE 5931	Graduate Seminar I	3 Units
THE 5932	Graduate Seminar II	3 Units
THE 5933	Graduate Seminar III	3 Units
THE 5934	Graduate Seminar IV	3 Units
Directing Practicum:
THE 6901	Directing Practicum ¹	3 Units

Note(s)

¹: Students enroll for the fifth term in the second year in order to complete their post-production analysis (THE 6001), and the directing practicum (THE 6901).

Minimum Standards

The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 units) must withdraw from the program.

Duration of the Program

The requirements of the program must be fulfilled within two years (five terms of full-time enrollment).

Research at the University of Ottawa

Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa ranks among Canada’s top 10 research universities. Our research is founded on excellence, relevance and impact and is conducted in a spirit of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Our research community thrives in four strategic areas:

Creating a sustainable environment
Advancing just societies
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Enabling lifelong health and wellness

From advancing healthcare solutions to tackling global challenges like climate change, the University of Ottawa’s researchers are at the forefront of innovation, making significant contributions to society and beyond.

Research at the Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts is proud of the state of the art research conducted by its professors. In the spirit of showcasing its research to the university community as well as to the general public, the Faculty has created three activities: Dean's Lecture Series, Treasures of the Library, and Excellence Lectures.

Facilities, Research Centres and Institutes at the Faculty of Arts

For more information, refer to the list of faculty members and their research fields on Uniweb.

IMPORTANT: Candidates and students looking for professors to supervise their thesis or research project can also consult the website of the faculty or department of their program of choice. Uniweb does not list all professors authorized to supervise research projects at the University of Ottawa.

THE 5110 Research Methods in Theatre and Performance Studies (3 units)

Advanced academic research and writing skills commonly used in theatre studies - archival research, collection of pertinent data, forms of empirical research, conceptual research, etc. Practical exercises leading to the students' successful writing of academic papers, conference presentations, and an MA thesis paper.

Course Component: Seminar

THE 5120 Selected Topics in Theatre Studies (3 units)

Study of a selected topic in theatre history, theory or practice.

Course Component: Seminar

THE 5130 Dramaturgy (3 units)

The dramatic text as a point of departure for a theatrical performance. The art of dramaturgy considered as the analysis of the poetics of dramatic text as well as the study of its structural specificities and norms. Major elements of, and theories related to, new play development, both in a historical perspective as well as a conceptual one. Acquisition of the skills necessary for pursuing a career as a Dramaturge or a Literary Adviser in a professional theatre.

Course Component: Lecture

THE 5140 Theory of Performance (3 units)

Examination of a range of performance forms that define contemporary practice including performance art, fine art, film, site-specific theatre and cyber-spectacle. Exercises in academic and professional writing for the theatre. Major elements of performance studied both in historical and conceptual perspectives.

Course Component: Lecture

THE 5510 Méthodes de recherche en études théâtrales (3 crédits)

Formation avancée en recherche et en rédaction pertinente pour les études universitaires dans le champ des études théâtrales recherche en archives, collecte de données pertinentes, formes de recherche empirique, recherche théorique, etc. Exercices pratiques devant mener les étudiants à rédiger avec succès des articles savants, des communications et une thèse de maîtrise.

Volet : Séminaire

THE 5520 Thèmes choisis en études théâtrales (3 crédits)

Étude d'un élément particulier de l'histoire, la théorie ou la pratique théâtrale.

Volet : Séminaire

THE 5530 Dramaturgie (3 crédits)

La dramaturgie conçue en tant que point de départ de la représentation théâtrale. L'étude de l'art de la dramaturgie entendu comme l'analyse de la poétique du texte dramatique et de ses structures et normes spécifiques. L'étude des éléments importants du développement dramaturgique, et des théories qui s'y rattachent, dans une perspective à la fois historique et théorique. L'acquisition des compétences nécessaires pour la poursuite d'une carrière de dramaturge et de conseiller littéraire au sein d'une compagnie théâtrale professionnelle.

Volet : Cours magistral

THE 5540 Analyse de la représentation (3 crédits)

Étude des diverses formes de spectacles qui définissent les pratiques contemporaines telles que la performance, les beaux-arts, le théâtre hors des lieux de diffusion habituelle et le cyber-spectacle. Exercices de rédaction en vue de la production de travaux universitaires et professionnels. Étude des principaux éléments de l'événement théâtral dans une perspective historique et théorique.

Volet : Cours magistral

THE 5901 Production I / Production I (3 crédits / 3 units)

Encadré par un professeur ou un metteur en scène professionnel, chaque étudiant effectue une série d'exercices sur la mise en scène et travaille des scènes posant un problème spécifique de mise en scène afin de développer ses habiletés pratiques ainsi que ses capacités d'analyse. Noté S (satisfaisant) ou NS (non satisfaisant). / Students, under the supervision of faculty members, or a professional director, undertake a series of directing exercises and problem scenes designed to develop specific practical and analytical skills. Graded S (Satisfactory) / NS (Not satisfactory).

Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar

THE 5902 Production II / Production II (3 crédits / 3 units)

Encadré par un professeur ou un metteur en scène professionnel, chaque étudiant étudie et dirige une pièce en un acte ou une longue scène tirée d'une pièce. Noté S (satisfaisant) ou NS (non satisfaisant). / Students research and direct a one-act play or an extended scene from a full-length play under the guidance of a professor or professional director. Graded S (Satisfactory) / NS (Not satisfactory).

Volet / Course Component: Cours magistral / Lecture

THE 5903 Production III / Production III (3 crédits / 3 units)

Encadré par un professeur ou un metteur en scène professionnel, chaque étudiant étudie et dirige une pièce en un acte ou une longue scène tirée d'une pièce. Noté S (satisfaisant) ou NS (non satisfaisant). / Students research and direct a one-act play or an act from a full-length play with the guidance of a professor or professional director. Graded S (Satisfactory) / NS (Not satisfactory).

Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar

THE 5931 Séminaire de graduation I / Graduate Seminar I (3 crédits / 3 units)

Séminaire portant sur un aspect spécifique du processus de mise en scène et permettant des échanges fructueux relatifs aux problèmes qui se présentent aux étudiants dans le cadre de leur production. Les problèmes à traiter seront choisis parmi les suivants et varieront d'une session à l'autre : les traditions françaises et anglaises de la mise en scène; du texte à la scène; les collaborations au théâtre; les méthodologies de la mise en scène; le théâtre et les conventions; le théâtre et les autres arts; le théâtre et ses publics. La description du séminaire est disponible plusieurs mois à l'avance au Département. / Seminar focussing on a selected aspect of the directorial process and providing a forum for the discussion of problems and issues encountered in production work. Topics will vary from session to session and will be chosen from among the following: the French and English traditions of directing; from text to stage; theatrical collaboration; approaches to directing; theatrical conventions; theatre and the other arts; and the theatre and its audiences. A description of the specific seminar topic is available several months in advance from the Department.

Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar

THE 5932 Séminaire de graduation II / Graduate Seminar II (3 crédits / 3 units)

Séminaire portant sur un aspect spécifique du processus de mise en scène et permettant des échanges fructueux relatifs aux problèmes qui se présentent aux étudiants dans le cadre de leur production. Pour la liste des problèmes à traiter, veuillez vous référer à THE 5931 Séminaire I. / Seminar focussing on a selected aspect of the directorial process and providing a forum for the discussion of problems and issues encountered in production work. For a list of topics, please refer to THE 5931 Graduate Directing Seminar I.

Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar

THE 5933 Séminaire de graduation III / Graduate Seminar III (3 crédits / 3 units)

Séminaire portant sur un aspect spécifique du processus de mise en scène et permettant des échanges fructueux relatifs aux problèmes qui se présentent aux étudiants dans le cadre de leur production. Pour la liste des problèmes à traiter, veuillez vous référer à THE 5931 Séminaire I. / Seminar focussing on a selected aspect of the directorial process and providing a forum for the discussion of problems and issues encountered in production work. For a list of topics, please refer to THE 5931 Graduate Directing Seminar I.