Objective

The objective of the doctoral program is to prepare Scholar-Directors. The curriculum is a combination of academics, practice, pedagogy, and research, and with a residence period of 3-4 years. This is a research doctorate focused on applied research/creative activity and designed to be consistent with the general teaching requirements of small college and university theatre programs. Ongoing production work is an integral part of the program.

General Requirements

Candidates for the Ph.D. must complete 90 credits beyond the baccalaureate, including 30 hours of core courses, 30 hours of dissertation credits, a 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 program requirements. Qualifying examinations are held immediately prior to the third year and cover both major and minor areas.

Academics, Practice, Teaching, and Research

• In the area of academics, the program concentrates on the traditional, broadly intellectual issues of theatre scholarship; specifically, dramaturgy and theatre aesthetics, as well as seminars in theatre history, dramatic theory and criticism, dramatic literature, and directing methodology.
• In the area of practice, students are required to direct a fully-supported play with an undergraduate production team each year of 3-4 year residency.
• Teaching encompasses Graduate Teaching Assistantships in Acting I and Introduction to Theatre, various duties in Play Analysis and Directing I, and two faculty-guided assignments in Theatre Pedagogy.
• Research is incorporated in the doctoral seminars and formally embodied in the dissertation.

Core academic requirements are normally completed by the end of the second year and followed by qualifying examinations. The third year is devoted to directing the third play and developing a draft of the dissertation; an additional year or two in the field is generally sufficient to complete and defend the dissertation.

Recent Ph.D. Placements

The doctoral program is designed to be consistent with the general teaching needs of small college and university theatre departments.

California State University at Bakersfield
Drake University
Edgewood College
Illinois State University
Metropolitan Community College
Minot State University
Rochester College
Tung Fang Institute of Technology (Taiwan)
University of Minnesota at Morris
University of West Florida
University of West Georgia
Utica College
Wayne State University
Western Kentucky University
Westminster College

Recent Ph.D. Dissertations

“Obsessional Following in Selected Plays of William Shakespeare: A Structuralist Approach,“ Aili Smith, 2009.
“Mei Lanfang and Stanislavsky’s Method of Physical Actions in the Performance of Traditional Chinese Opera,” Hsiu Wei Hu, 2009.
“The Impact of Shakespearean Theater Production Experience on Development of Adolescent Self-Esteem, Positive Risk-Taking, and Peer Bonding,“ Lisa Kander, 2009.
“The Influence of the Yiddish Theatre on the Evolution of the Modern American Theatre,” Cary Leiter, 2008.
“Uplifting the Community: The Black Aesthetic,” D. Christy Eves, 2008.
"The Relationship between Personal Combat and Stage Combat from the Late 16th to the Early 20th Century,” John Lennox, 2008.
“Assimilation as Seen in Hispanic/Latino Plays,” Maria-Tania Becerra, 2008.
“Audience Responses to the Theme of Incest in Dramatic Literature,” Deena Conley, 2007.
“The Edges of Fringe: Development and Structure of the American Fringe Festival,” Amy Lane, 2003.
“Improvisation as Performance: A Comparative Study of Short-Form, Long-Form and Sketch-Based Improvisation,” Jeanne Leep, 2002.
“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.
“Academic Theatre Programs in Church of Christ Colleges and Universities: The Development of an Aesthetic,” Catharine Parker, in progress.
“Robert Lewis and The Group Theatre,” Ruthel Honey Darvas, in progress.
“Moral Dilemmas in the Plays of Pearl Cleage,” Kaye Celeste Evans, in progress

Recent Ph.D. Plays

2009-2010
Serenading Louie by Lanford Wilson, directed by Gregory Bailey
Dunelawn from Bad Habits by Terence McNally, directed by Michael Butterworth
Ravenswood from Bad Habits by Terence McNally, directed by Aaron Westlake

2008-09
Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage, directed by Darryl Davis
A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller, directed by Matt Foss
A Bad Year for Tomatoes by, directed by Kate Brandon
Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music by Lee Blessing, directed by Gregory Bailey

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

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. For self-supported students, adjunct teaching may be available for Introduction to Theatre. Ph.D. students also have opportunities to proctor 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 Ph.D. 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
• Part-time students are accepted, with the condition that their practical requirements may vary depending on relevant circumstances.

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 Ph.D. students work closely are Prof. Blair Anderson (Theatre Department Chair, theatre history, theatre aesthetics, directing), Prof. Mary Anderson (performance studies), Prof. N. 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, Ph.D. 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 Head, Ph.D. 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

• Ph.D. Handbook
• Ph.D. Reading List
• Ph.D. Annual Assessment (sample)
• Director's Production Book Cover Sheet
• Director's Diagnostic Criticism (sample)
• Dissertation Prospectus Guidelines
• Guide to Structuring the Dissertation
• Graduate Theatre Course List
• “A Month in Moscow”—Study Abroad: WSU-Moscow Art Theatre School