University of Wisconsin–Madison

Overview

The M.A. in Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is designed for students interested in pursuing advanced research at the intersection of theatre, performance, and various related fields. This program can serve as a stepping stone for doctoral studies or as a specialized terminal master’s degree aimed at deepening one's knowledge in theatre and performance scholarship.

• Degree: M.A. in Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies
• Location: University of Wisconsin–Madison (Madison, Wisconsin, USA)
• Academic focus: Theatre, drama, and performance studies with interdisciplinary methods
• Typical duration: 2 years (may vary based on course load and thesis/project pathway)
• Credits: Credit requirements depend on the chosen plan of study (consult with the department for details)
• Delivery: On-campus (verify current format with the department)
• Language of instruction: English
• Application components: Statement of purpose, writing sample (advanced research paper), references, and GRE (if required by the program)
• English proficiency tests accepted: IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or Duolingo English Test
• Start term: Typically fall (confirm specifics with the department)

What you'll study

The M.A. program emphasizes graduate seminars and research training, fostering both scholarly inquiry and interdisciplinary approaches to theatre and performance. Students will refine their research focus through advising and culminating projects.

• Core research and methods: Proseminar in Theatre Research (covering research design, scholarly methods, and academic writing)
• Historical and contextual study: Theatre History (including historiography-focused coursework)
• Theory and performance inquiry: Theories of Acting (alongside courses addressing performance theory)
• Practice-informed and interdisciplinary options: Electives may encompass areas such as costume design, theatre technology, and digital design/visualization for entertainment
• Interdisciplinary electives: Options may include courses related to visual culture, anthropology, music, new media/digital design, gender studies, and various literary/theatre traditions
• Culminating work: A master’s thesis or equivalent research/project requirement (confirm specific pathways and formats with the department)

Entry requirements

• GPA: Minimum GPA requirement is generally set at 3.0 (check for program-specific thresholds).
• GRE®: GRE General Test score is typically required (as indicated by the program).
• English proficiency: Accepted tests include IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or Duolingo English Test (refer to minimums below).

English requirements (minimums shown)

• Duolingo English Test: minimum 125
• TOEFL iBT: minimum 92
• IELTS: minimum 7.0

Other requirements

• Statement of purpose: A comprehensive statement detailing your interests in theatre research, areas of study, and how your background relates to your proposed direction.
• Writing sample: An advanced research paper (a sample of your academic writing).
• References: Letters of recommendation (required as part of the application).
• How applications are assessed: Evaluation is based on academic records, GRE scores, references, personal statement, and writing sample.

Note: It is advisable to check with the department for the most current application details and requirements.