Theatre Graduate Programs
MFA Acting Program

Florida State University/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, located in Sarasota, Florida, is a three-year graduate program culminating in a Master of Fine Arts degree through the Florida State University School of Theatre. Considered to be one of America’s leading acting schools, the Conservatory trains actors of the highest caliber in a professional theatre environment through classroom work and production experience. The program has been recognized in The New York Times, U.S. News, World Report, and The Princeton Review through their national rankings and articles about top graduate level training programs.
MFA Costume Design Program
The Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design program at Florida State University provides students with training in the art and practice of costume design. The program is designed to give students the skills they need to continue their growth as costume designers in the performing arts or in entertainment.

MFA Directing Program

It is the mission of the MFA Directing Program to provide students with training that emulates the best practices of the theatre industry. Our goal is to help shape the artistic voices and leaders of the future, empowering students to be artist citizens in the theatre community and in our global society. The program is designed to give students the skills they will need to continue individual development and growth as directors in professional theatre.
MFA Lighting Design Program
The Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design program at Florida State University provides students with training in the art and practice of lighting design. The program is designed to give students the skills they need to continue their growth as lighting designers in the performing arts or live entertainment.

MFA Scenic Design Program

The Master of Fine Arts in Scenic Design major at Florida State University provides students with the training and experience necessary to enter the professional design field. The major is designed to give students in-depth experience and artisanal skills needed to continue their growth as scenic designers in the performing arts.
MFA Technical Production Program
The MFA Technical Production program at Florida State University provides students with skills necessary to succeed as a technical manager.
Students gain essential skills and knowledge of technical theatre through academic and practical experience. A wide array of courses provides many paths towards specialized interests such as production management or stage machinery design. Courses include training of computer aided drafting, structural analysis, physics of stage machinery, electronics, mechanical design, technical and production management, show control, safety, and more.

MFA Theatre Management Program

The mission of the Master of Fine Arts Theatre Management program is to profoundly impact the arts around the world. Students are provided a considered education through practical training and hands-on experiences in a working theatre environment.
MA: Theatre & Performance Research
The MA Program in Theatre & Performance Research trains individuals interested in creating theoretically engaged scholarship or innovative theatre, or who plan to pursue diverse careers beyond the academy. We believe that graduate education in Theatre & Performance Research contributes to contemporary society by confronting difficult questions, finding humanity in multiple perspectives, and contributing to a culturally diverse, democratic society.

BA/MA Combined Pathway: Theatre & Performance Research program

The BA/MA Pathway: Theatre & Performance Research program allows BA students to earn a graduate degree in one extra year. Students interested in theatre theory, history, dramaturgy, or arts-based research methods can take up to 12 graduate credits their senior year and complete the MA in a fifth year at FSU. The degree is well-suited for those interested in pursuing theatre education, literary management, educational outreach, or nonprofit work. Scholarship programs like Bright Futures will help fund this program!
Ph. D. Program: Theatre & Performance Research
This Ph. D. in Theatre & Performance Research program trains artist-scholars who create theoretically engaged work at the intersections of theatre and performance research and practice. We believe that graduate education in Theatre & Performance Research contributes vitally to contemporary society and facilitates the pursuit of a broad array of career paths in and beyond the academy.
