Theatre Arts

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OFFICE: Dramatic Arts 201
TELEPHONE: 619-594-6363 / FAX: 619-594-7431
WEBSITE: http://ttf.sdsu.edu

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

Faculty

Denitsa D. Bliznakova, Professor of Theatre, Television, and Film; Head of Costume Design and Technology; Co-Head of Design and Technology (B.F.A., Parsons School of Design, Paris, France; M.F.A., Brandeis University, Boston)

‘Niyi Coker, Jr., Professor of Theatre, Television, and Film; Director of the School of Theatre, Television, and Film (B.A., University of Ife, Nigeria; M.F.A., Brooklyn College; Ph.D., Temple University)

Donald J. Hopkins, Professor of Theatre, Television, and Film (B.A., The Pennsylvania State University; M.F.A., University of California, San Diego; Ph.D., University of California, Irvine and University of California, San Diego)

Robert S. Meffe, Professor of Theatre, Television, and Film; Head of Musical Theatre; Graduate Adviser (B.A., University of Notre Dame; M.M., University of Cincinnati) 

Stephen M. Brotebeck, Associate Professor of Theatre, Television, and Film (B.F.A. Western Michigan University; M.F.A., The Pennsylvania State University)

Charles Murdock Lucas, Associate Professor of Theatre, Television, and Film; Head of Scenic Design; Head of Projection and Integrated Media Design; Co-Head of Design and Technology (B.S., Furman University; M.F.A., University of North Carolina)

Anne E. McMills, Associate Professor of Theatre, Television, and Film; Head of Lighting Design; Graduate Adviser (B.F.A. Milikin University; M.F.A. Mason Gross School of Arts)

Michelle Orr, Associate Professor of Theatre, Television, and Film; Graduate Adviser (B.S., Northwestern University; M.F.A., Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)

Lecturer:

Ralph Funicello, B.F.A. 

Associateships and Assistantships

Graduate teaching associateships and graduate assistantships are available to a limited number of qualified students. Application forms and further information may be obtained from the school.

The Don W. Powell Chair in Scene Design

The Don W. Powell Chair in Scene Design was established through a trust provided by the late professor emeritus. Always concerned about students, Powell, who retired after 30 years with the theatre department, created the trust in order to enhance theatre education at S.D.S.U. The current Don W. Powell Scene Design Chair is the nationally acclaimed designer Ralph Funicello.

General Information

The School of Theatre, Television, and Film offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts degree and the Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre arts. Graduates in these programs learn in the artist-scholar model and are prepared for careers as practitioners and educators. The Master of Fine Arts degree is offered in the areas of acting, design/technical theatre, and musical theatre. The M.A. is a 30-unit program; the M.F.A. a 60-unit program. Both programs of study limit the number of students accepted in order to offer individual attention and extensive opportunity to participate in theatre production. The Dramatic Arts building contains the proscenium-style Don Powell Theatre seating 500, with state-of-the-art computer lighting and sound control, and the Experimental Theatre, a 200-seat flexible black box with a full lighting grid and sound system. The Don Powell is scheduled to undergo renovations during the 2021-2022 academic year, which will include a lobby renovation and ADA compliance updates.  A new 150-seat black box, the Second Stage, will also be under construction at that time. Once these are completed, the Experimental Theatre will become a laboratory space for student productions. Our facilities also include a design studio and CADD laboratory, paint shop, wagon house, scene shop, 3-D printing lab, and fully equipped costume laboratory. The theatre arts degree is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (N.A.S.T.).

Admission to Graduate Study

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the School of Theatre, Television, and Film.

Graduate Admissions

The following materials should be submitted as a complete package directly to:

Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all post-secondary institutions attended;
   • Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
   • Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
2. GRE scores (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682);
3. English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).

Master of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts

The following materials should be mailed or delivered to:

School of Theatre, Television, and Film
(Attention: M. A. Program)
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-7601

1. Three current and relevant letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic ability.

Master of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Arts Concentration in Acting

No students admitted to this program at this time.

Master of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Arts Concentration in Design and Technology

The materials as outlined under Admission to the Degree Curriculum should be mailed or delivered to:

School of Theatre, Television, and Film
(Attention: Design and Technology Program)
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-7601

Master of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Arts Concentration in Musical Theatre

This program admits new students every other year only.

The materials as outlined under Admission to the Degree Curriculum should be mailed or delivered to:

School of Theatre, Television, and Film
(Attention: Musical Theatre Program)
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-7601

Master of Arts Degree in Theatre Arts

Admission to the Degree Curriculum

General requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing are described in Admission and Registration . In addition, the student’s area adviser will judge the applicant capable of graduate work in theatre arts. The judgment will be based on (1) the applicant’s transcripts of prior academic work; (2) three current and relevant letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic ability; (3) the applicant’s scores on the GRE General Test; (4) the applicant’s scores on the GRE Writing Assessment Test; and (5) an interview, when appropriate, revealing the applicant’s ability to succeed in the chosen area. Application deadline is February 1. To inquire about the program, including spring admission, contact the director of the M.A. program. Visit our website at http://ttf.sdsu.edu for current contact information.

Programs

• Entertainment Management Certificate
• Theatre Arts Minor
• Theatre Arts, B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences
• Theatre Arts, Concentration in Acting, M.F.A.
• Theatre Arts, Concentration in Design and Technology, M.F.A.
• Theatre Arts, Concentration in Musical Theatre, M.F.A.
• Theatre Arts, Emphasis in Design and Technology, B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences
• Theatre Arts, Emphasis in Performance, B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences
• Theatre Arts, Emphasis in Youth Theatre, B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences
• Theatre Arts, General Theatre Arts, B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences
• Theatre Arts, M.A.
• Theatre Arts, M.F.A.

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