The Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre has six areas of study:Acting The Acting Concentration is a rigorously structured sequence of study that provides the actor a solid base of technique and proficiency in an array of acting styles and methods.Arts ManagementThe Arts Management Concentration offers a well-rounded education through coursework from the Department of Theatre and Dance, the Manderson Graduate School of Business, and the College of Communications and Information SciencesCostume Design and Production The Costume Design and Production Concentration includes general and advanced courses in costume design, history, construction, and crafts.Design and Technical Production The Design and Technical Production Concentration includes study in Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Sound Design, Technical Direction, and associated areas. Students are exposed to all areas within coursework throughout their time in the program. Students' realized production work can be centered around a particular area or they can have opportunities in multiple areas. DirectingThe Directing Concentration is an intense three-year program with a dual focus on production and preparation for academia. It is geared towards nascent directors who have already mastered the basics of theatre directing and helmed a few productions (of any size or budget, including very small).Stage Management The Stage Management Concentration is a production-oriented, three-year intensive that focuses on providing a diversity of management experience to candidates as well as ongoing mentorship and teaching opportunities in an academic environment.The MFA program is normally a three-year program. Students who hold the MA degree in theatre upon admission to the program may expect a shortened course of study, dependent upon faculty evaluation of the previous work. Students seeking such a shortened program must apply to have previous work evaluated. Normally, a two-year minimum residency is required for students with shortened programs. Courses related to Theatre in other Departments may be considered within the 45 required credit hours upon approval of the Area Head within a specialization and the involved Department.