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Playwriting M.F.A.

Playwriting M.F.A.

M.F.A. – Playwriting

The MFA in Playwriting is an intensive three-year program designed for writers with original voices who are committed to making an impact on the profession. The comprehensive training program comprises coursework, productions, and professional engagement.

Candidates are required to take classes in Adaptation, Solo Performance, Television Writing, Devised Theatre, Queer Narratives, Writing for Young Audiences, and Experimental Playwriting, among others.

The program offers visits and guest workshops with successful writers, literary managers, artistic directors, and agents, preparing students for entrance into the world of professional theatre.

The M.F.A. in Playwriting is a terminal degree that qualifies you, upon completion, to teach on the university level.

Official information regarding specific degree requirements and course options can be found on the University Graduate School web page.

Meet our faculty

We produce at least eleven productions each year. Learn more about the performance opportunities in our department.

Check out our productions

Coursework

Classes are designed to give the writer a broad education in dramatic writing, in order to explore and develop multiple ways to tell a story as well as multiple ways to make a living. Professional guest seminars, master classes, and special workshops are a regular part of the coursework.

The Playwriting program is kept intentionally small, with a maximum of three students total. This allows ample opportunity for each playwright to shape and design specific elements of his or her course of study and exploration.

Professional engagement

Each year a select group of industry professionals including literary managers, artistic directors, and agents is brought to campus to meet with the playwrights and to attend their productions. Students receive full productions in our At First Sight Festival in their second and third years.

Bloomington is well situated, with several nationally recognized theatres within driving distance: Actors Theatre of Louisville: 1.5 hours; Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) and Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis: 1 hour; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park: 3 hours. The city of Chicago is within 4 hours.

Teaching Opportunities

As part of the program, our students assist in the teaching of Playwriting and Script Analysis to undergraduates, contingent on adequate enrollment.

Retention

Retention requires 3.2 GPA or higher, the satisfactory completion of all major projects, as well as a positive year-end progress report from faculty regarding your artistic and academic progress.

Admissions

We accept one playwright a year in our highly selective three-year program. Applications are generally considered beginning in January and will be accepted until February 1. Please contact us with questions regarding the application process.

If you are selected as a finalist, you will be interviewed in person or via an online platform by the head of the M.F.A. Playwriting program and two additional faculty members.

Learn how to apply

Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance

Playwriting M.F.A.

M.F.A. – Playwriting

Coursework

Professional engagement

Teaching Opportunities

Retention

Admissions

The College of Arts & Sciences

Playwriting M.F.A.

M.F.A. – Playwriting

Coursework

Professional engagement

Teaching Opportunities

Retention

Admissions

Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance social media channels

The College of Arts & Sciences