MFA in Theatre - Directing in Normal United States | Illinois State University

Illinois State University's Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Directing program shapes tomorrow's visionary leaders in American theater. This highly selective program admits only the most promising advanced students showing potential for enduring careers as professional directors. We guide each director in developing their distinctive artistic vision while instilling essential technical skills for lasting professional achievement. Ideal candidates exhibit intellectual curiosity about the world and empathetic leadership qualities. The program objectives encourage students to: Cultivate a personal artistic style relevant to contemporary society. Build strong communication with actors. Foster innovative collaboration with design teams. Examine plays across diverse genres. Appreciate poetic expression and rhetorical techniques in classical works. Acquire versatile staging skills for various theater spaces. Maintain professional discipline in all aspects of production.