Film and Theatre Arts Graduate Programs

Master of Fine Arts in Film and Theatre Arts

The School of the Arts Areas of Film and Theatre offer a Master of Fine Arts degree with four fields of study in Film-Production, Film-Screenwriting, Theatre-Performance (Acting or Directing), and Theatre-Design (Scenic, Lighting, or Costume). For Playwriting please see the Creative Writing Workshop. The Department works with the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Our MFA programs reflect NAST's highest standards.

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Fields of Study

Film Production

The overriding philosophy of the Film program is to train the entire filmmaker. Students are expected to be, at a minimum, conversant with all aspects of the filmmaking process, from screenwriting and directing to cinematography, sound, and editing. Film theory and history are also considered essential components.

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Degree Requirements

Film Screenwriting

The Screenwriting Program at UNO is based on a lively workshop model, allowing MFA students to master the craft of screenwriting in the context of developing and writing their own projects. It is both intimate and collaborative. Rather than the siloed approach found at many other MFA Screenwriting programs, students here are encouraged to grow as artists and professionals by taking advantage of the myriad opportunities to be found at a writing program within a film production program within the School of the Arts. These opportunities include gaining hands-on experience in film producing and directing, performance, documentary production, and digital technology -- experiences that can lead to better screenplays, and to students who are better prepared to take advantage of the fast-changing world of professional storytelling.

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Degree Requirements

Theatre Performance (Acting or Directing)

The Theatre Program at the University of New Orleans is part of the Department of Film and Theatre. We are active competitors in the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival, having won numerous Awards including National Playwriting Awards, National Irene Ryan Acting Awards, and Regional Awards for Overall Production, Directing, Performance, and the Citizen Artists Award. Our Theatre Arts program is so rewarding because it is so demanding. We produce four mainstage productions per year, plus four Sunday Matinee original script readings, and a Fall Reading Series in our three theaters. We are fully accredited by NAST (National Association of Schools of Theatre).

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Degree Requirements

Theatre Design

The Theatre Program at the University of New Orleans is part of the Department of Film and Theatre. We are active competitors in the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival, having won numerous Awards including Regional Awards for Overall Production, Lighting Design, Costume Design, and the Citizen Artists Award. Our Theatre Arts program is so rewarding because it is so demanding. We combine theory and practice for a solid foundation in all aspects of design and production. We produce four mainstage productions per year, plus original script readings. Our scene and costume shops, permanent thrust, lab, and amphitheater provide all we need to accommodate our busy production schedule.

How to Apply

Degree Requirements