Skip to Content
World-Class Education in the Real World (tm)

cfpca - College of Fine, Performing & Communication Arts

The PhD in Theatre for Scholar-Directors

Objectives 

The objective of the doctoral program is to prepare Scholar-Directors. The curriculum is a combination of academic studies and practical experience, usually extending for three years in residence. It is designed to complement the instructional needs of college and university theatre programs and has a successful placement record.
 
General Requirements
 
Candidates for the PhD must complete 90 credits beyond the baccalaureate, including 30 hours of core courses, 30 hours of dissertation credits, one course in research methods, and a 6-credit minor within or outside the department. A maximum of 30 credits can be transferred from master’s level work. Dissertations normally employ critical or historical methods and do not involve production as such. The dissertation advisor, dissertation committee, or the graduate committee may provide additional requirements. Qualifying examinations cover both major and minor areas.
 
Academic and Production Components
 
On the academic side, the program concentrates on the traditional, broadly intellectual issues of theatre scholarship. PhD students study dramaturgy and theatre aesthetics, along with seminars in theatre history, dramatic theory and criticism, dramatic literature, and directing theory. On the production side, PhD students direct a fully-supported play with an undergraduate production team each year of 3-year residency. Core academic requirements are normally completed by the end of the second year and followed by qualifying examinations. The third year is devoted to developing a draft of the dissertation, and an additional year or two in the field is generally sufficient to complete and defend it. Part-time PhD students are also accepted, although production requirements may be different for them accordingly.
 
Recent PhD Placements 

California State University at Bakersfield
Drake University
Edgewood College
Illinois State University
Metropolitan Community College
University of Minnesota at Morris
University of West Georgia
University of West Florida
Utica College
Wayne State University
Western Kentucky University
Westminster College


Recent PhD Dissertations
 
“The Influence of the Yiddish Theatre on the Evolution of the Modern American Theatre,” Cary Leiter, in progress.
“Obsessional Following in Selected Plays of William Shakespeare: A Structuralist Approach,“ Aili Smith, in progress.
“Uplifting the Community: The Black Aesthetic,” D. Christy Eves, in progress.
"The Relationship between Personal Combat and Stage Combat from the Late 16th to the Early 20th Century,” John Lennox, in progress.
“Robert Lewis and The Group Theatre,” Ruthel Honey Darvas, in progress.
“The Impact of Shakespearean Theater Production Experience on Development of Adolescent Self-Esteem, Positive Risk-Taking, and Peer Bonding,“ Lisa Kander, in progress.
“Academic Theatre Programs in Church of Christ Colleges and Universities: The Development of an Aesthetic,” Catharine Parker, in progress.
“Prospects for the Stanislavsky System in the Performance of Chinese Opera, with Special Attention to the Contributions of Mei Lan-Fang,” Hsiu Wei Hu, in progress.
“Assimilation as Seen in Hispanic/Latino Plays,” Maria-Tania Becerra, in progress.
“Audience Responses to the Theme of Incest in Dramatic Literature,” Deena Conley, in progress.
“Improvisation as Performance: A Comparative Study of Short-Form, Long-Form and Sketch-Based Improvisation,” Jeanne Leep, 2004.
“The Edges of Fringe: Development and Structure of the American Fringe Festival,” Amy Lane, 2003.
“Doughboys to GIs to Grunts: The American Infantryman in Dramatic Literature, 1924-1985," Scott MacKenzie, 2002.
“Convening Community: Stewardship, Partnership and Leadership At Three Successful Regional Theatres,“ David Young, 2000.
“None Shall Refuse: The History Of The Players In Detroit, 1910 To The Present,” Marijean Elizabeth Levering, 2000.
“A Comparison Study of Process Drama and Actor Training,” Cooney, Mary Pratt, 1999.
“Sports On Stage: Athletics as Metaphor in Twentieth-Century Theatre,” Keir C. Cutler, 1999.
 
Recent PhD Plays
 
2007-08
 
A Hatful of Rain by Michael Gazzo, directed by Matt Foss
Bus Stop by William Inge, directed by Aili Smith
Trifles by Susan Glaspell, directed by Kate Brandon
Lone Star by James McClure, directed by Jason Larche
Toys in the Attic by Lillian Hellman, directed by Darryl Davis
 
2006-07
 
The Effects of Gamma Rays On Man-In-The Moon Marigolds by Paul Zindel, directed by Aili Smith
Hambone by Javon Johnson, directed by Darryl C. Davis
Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan, directed by Matt Foss
A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur by Tennessee Williams, directed by Honey English
 
2005-06
 
That Championship Season by Jason Miller, directed by Cary Leiter
Proof by David Auburn, directed by Lisa Kander
The Midnight Caller by Horton Foote, directed by Ruthel English
Independenceby Lee Blessing, directed by Aili Smith
I Hate Hamlet by Paul Rudnick directed by John Lennox
Angel Street by Patrick Hamilton, directed by Catharine Parker
 
Assistantships
 
The program accepts a total of four students on teaching assistantships, which include stipends, complete tuition waivers, and health insurance. Responsibilities include teaching Acting 1 and Introduction to Theatre or management of one of the undergraduate tours sponsored by the department. For self-supported students, adjunct teaching may be available for Introduction to Theatre. PhD students also have opportunities to assist in teaching Voice and Speech for the Stage, Directing I, and Stage Movement. The program is designed to provide many opportunities to interact with undergraduates, who will be the PhD students’ primary constituency in their teaching careers.
 
Admission Requirements
 
Admission to the program is contingent on admission to the Graduate School. Applicants must also satisfy the following department requirements:
 
  • Undergraduate degree in Theatre or related field
  • MA degree in Theatre or related field, with a minimum 3.3 (B = 3.0) grade point average. Students with an MFA are eligible, but may need to take additional courses in theatre history dramatic literature if these subjects are not part of their MFA degree. Students with non-credit conservatory training may be considered, but will need additional time in the program to accumulate the necessary 90 credits beyond the BA degree.
  • Evidence of ability to write and speak effectively
  • Training and experience directing for the stage
 
The application materials should include:
 
  • WSU Graduate School Application, including application fee, gradadmissions.wayne.edu
  • Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Unofficial transcripts may be used for the initial application review; however official transcripts are required for final admission.
  • Graduate Record Examination scores. (No minimum, but low GRE scores may be grounds for denial of admission.)
  • At least three letters of recommendation from individuals in academic or professional theatre addressing the applicant's academic and directing talent and promise
  • A scholarly paper of at least 2,000 words or a thesis demonstrating satisfactory research and writing ability
  • Statement of Goals (100-250 words)
  • Reviews and other documentation of directing experience.
 
Apply for Admission Online:
 
Applications are submitted online through the ApplyYourself system. Information is available at http://www.gradadmissions.wayne.edu/apply.php. (Note: You can log on to the ApplyYourself system, create your account, work on your Application, save your work, log off, and then log on later and pick up where you left off. After you officially “submit” your Application, you will still be able to log on and access it, but you will not be able to make any changes to it.)
 
Faculty
 
Faculty members with whom PhD students work closely are Prof. Blair Anderson (Theatre Department Chair, theatre history, theatre aesthetics, directing), Joseph Calarco (dramatic literature, directing), Prof. Mary Cooney (theatre history, applied theatre). Prof. David Magidson (dramatic theory and criticism, playwriting, directing), and Prof. James Thomas (Head, PhD Program and Graduate Advisor, directing, dramaturgy).
 
Deadline
 
Deadline for applications is March 1 and admission decisions are usually made by mid-March. However, applications are accepted until all openings are filled.
 
More Information
 
Prospective students should contact Professor James Thomas, Head, PhD Program, Department of Theatre, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, 313-577-7907, jthomas@wayne.edu. Further information is available on-line through the Department of Theatre website, the Wayne State University Graduate School website, and the Graduate Admissions website, which provides admission information and application forms
 
Links