Specialization in Directing

Program Overview

The specialization in directing is focused on the development of a director’s voice and process, culminating in public presentations of student-directed work. The pace of the curriculum requires students to fully engage in the artistic and logistical demands of directing, including scene preparation, collaboration with designers and fight and intimacy choreographers, and leadership of an artistic team. Students enrolled in the directing specialization should be prepared to devote a substantial amount of time each week to directing, including the creative and administrative aspects that go along with it.

Entrance Requirements

The directing specialization is only open to Conservatory musical theater majors who have successfully completed their first two years of study, including having maintained satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and completed T-ST 3101 Directing: Staging and Composition (1 credit) in year three, fall.

In addition, students must receive approval directly from the Theater Division to declare this specialization.

Program Requirements

The specialization in directing requires students to complete 10 credits, consisting of the course requirements listed below.

Required Courses

T-ST 3161 Directing 1 (2 credits; year three, spring)
T-ST 4167 Advanced Directing 1 (3 credits total: 2-credit lecture and 1-credit practicum; year four, fall)*
T-ST 4168: Advanced Directing 2 (3 credits total: 2-credit lecture and 1-credit practicum; year four, spring)
xxxxx Electives from the list below (2 credits total)**

*In addition to the successful completion of T-ST 3161 Directing 1, students must receive permission from the Theater Division to begin the year-four Advanced Directing 1–2 course sequence.

**Elective Course Options

T-LT 3941 Playwriting (3 credits)
T-LT 3942 Dramaturgy (3 credits)
T-LT 79918 Adaptation/Inspiration: Page to Stage (3 credits)
T-PR 70911 Introduction to Producing (1 credit)
T-SK 79914 Introduction to Stage Management (3 credits)
T-ST 71412 Stage Combat Armed (1 credit)
T-ST 71413 Stage Combat Unarmed (1 credit)
T-ST 71910 Extreme Character (2 credits)
T-ST 71911 Advanced Viewpoints (2 credits)

What You Will Learn

Upon successful completion of the specialization in directing, students will be able to:

cast and direct three 10-minute scenes for a public audience of faculty, staff, and students;

deepen their exploration of an artistic process;

work with a professional violence/intimacy director on moments in their scenes;

clarify their artistic voice and ethos while exploring new methods of inspiration;

mount a production of a full-length play; and

work with a production team consisting of both students and professionals.