MA in Theatre and Performance Research in Tallahassee United States | Florida State University

The MA Program in Theatre & Performance Research educates those passionate about developing theory-driven scholarship or groundbreaking theatrical work, as well as those aiming for varied career paths outside academia. Our program demonstrates how graduate studies in Theatre & Performance Research address pressing societal issues by exploring complex inquiries, embracing diverse viewpoints, and fostering an inclusive, democratic culture.
Rooted in cutting-edge theoretical frameworks and established research techniques, the MA equips students with comprehensive academic training in historical studies, critical analysis, literary examination, and teaching methodologies. Dedicated faculty advisors guide students in selecting their optimal MA pathway: the thesis option focuses on extended scholarly research culminating in a written work, while the comprehensive exam alternative offers a wider curriculum with customizable examinations tailored to individual interests. We emphasize varied artistic approaches, cross-disciplinary investigation, and cooperative learning to equip graduates for successful careers.

Theatre and Performance Research MA candidates benefit from a premier research university's facilities, personalized guidance from diverse faculty in an intimate program setting, and access to acclaimed productions staged by Florida State University's School of Theatre. Our globally renowned faculty engage in wide-ranging creative and scholarly pursuits including: Jerzy Grotowski's legacy, historical performance and cultural remembrance across the Americas, Global South and MENA region performance traditions, regional theatre histories and the Federal Theatre Project, arts economics, trauma and political dimensions of performance, musical theatre and opera studies, queer performance theory, and advanced theatre pedagogy. Our analytical perspectives incorporate performance & cultural theory, intercultural performance analysis, postcolonial frameworks, ethnographic methods, digital humanities, art-science collaborations, community-engaged performance, museum studies, gender and sexuality research, phenomenological approaches, and violence & trauma analysis.