About the Graduate Program

The School of the Arts Areas of Film and Theatre offer a Master of Fine Arts degree with four fields of study in Film-Production, Film-Screenwriting, Theatre-Performance (Acting or Directing), and Theatre-Design (Scenic, Lighting, or Costume). For Playwriting please see the Creative Writing Workshop. The Department works with the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Our MFA programs reflect NAST's highest standards.

The Master of Fine Arts is a terminal degree for students interested in pursuing careers in film production, theatre arts, and in creative writing. That is, unlike the Master of Arts (MA), it is not considered merely a "steppingstone" to the PhD. Teaching at the university/college level in most cases requires a terminal degree.

Our Goal

To develop a meaningful voice to our artistry and to share that talent in the community and educational arenas. We combine theory and practice for a solid foundation in this highly demanding discipline.

Learning Environment

Enrolling in the Film Program at the 91ֱ��, you join an enthusiastic and energetic group of faculty and student filmmakers who will challenge you to achieve your creative potential. Though you may plan only to write, direct, edit, or produce in the future, you will be expected to achieve a basic understanding and competency in all aspects of filmmaking. Here, students learn as they create, developing original projects from their first semester. The environment is lively and collaborative, with myriad opportunities to get hands-on experience as you and other students bring your screenplays and movies from concept to finished product. You will grow as both an artist and professional while broadening your horizons – as part of the School of the Arts, we enjoy our close proximity to brilliant actors, fine artists, and musicians, creating an intimate synergy within the broad spectrum of the performing and visual arts.

The Theatre Program at the 91ֱ�� is part of the School of the Arts. We are active competitors in the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival, having won numerous Awards including National Playwriting Awards, National Irene Ryan Acting Awards, and Regional Awards for Overall Production, Lighting Design, Costume Design, Directing, Performance, and the Citizen Artists Award. Our Theatre Arts program is so rewarding because it is so demanding. With us, you can achieve a basic understanding and competency in all aspects of theatrical performance, design, and production.

Facilities

We have one of the most technologically advanced film programs in the country, with a full line of professional production equipment, including 4K digital cinema cameras, a custom grip truck, sound stage, Steadicam, and state-of-the-art digital postproduction editing and audio suites.

We have available a 225-seat Thrust Theatre along with a 65-seat proscenium lab and outdoor amphitheater housing public performances each semester. 91ֱ�� scene and costume shops and rehearsal rooms provide all we need to accommodate our busy production schedule.

Experience

Practical, hands-on experience in film production extends from numerous opportunities to produce and direct your own films and crew on other student films to participation in the UNO Filmmakers student film club. At our Nims Center Studios, with 30,000 square feet of studio space and a hi-def post-production facility, students also have opportunities to work on major productions in film and television, most recently, NCIS: New Orleans, which used the Nims as its home base for its seven-season run.

Theatre UNO produces four mainstage productions per year, plus four Sunday Matinee original script readings and a Fall Reading Series, providing multiple opportunities to test your skills on our stages. You can also participation in Theatre UNO’s Lakefront Players student theatre organization. From Shakespeare to original scripts, there is always a challenge waiting.