Physical Theatre, M.F.A.

Module One

Foundations | Arezzo | Fall Semester

The semester commences with a ten day period of orientation and integration that includes an intensive in Italian Language (for students whose mother tongue is not Italian). Module one is conceived as a foundational unit that prepares the student to work in their new environment, to develop the habits necessary for serious training and to introduce the actor to the fundamentals of physical performance. The semester in Arezzo is followed immediately by a one week intensive workshop at Flic Scuola di Circo in Torino. This workshop is designed to introduce students to the specific training demanded for circus. It provides them with a sequenced group of exercises that students maintain throughout Module 2 so they are prepared for Module 3 in Torino.

• TH 501 - Movement/Voice I
• TH 521 - Music I
• TH 531 - Aesthetics/History I
• TH 541 - Italian for Actors I
• TH 551 - Acting I

Module Two

Explorations of Style | Arezzo | Spring Semester

Module two is an extension of the skills developed in the foundational module with an emphasis on the development and exploration of style. Commedia dell’Arte, both as a training for the actor-creator, and as a dramaturgical and aesthetic genre provides a reference for study.  Students will focus on the mastery of the historic masks, movement, attitudes and hierarchical relationships through improvisation and rigorous work on various lazzi and canovacci. Performances take place within the Accademia and in the Arezzo Province at the end of this semester.

• TH 502 - Movement/Voice II
• TH 522 - Music II
• TH 532 - Aesthetics/History II
• TH 542 - Italian for Actors II
• TH 552 - Acting II

Module Three

Circus Arts | FLIC Scuola di Circo, Torino | Summer

Module three provides a unique opportunity to work in one of the most respected schools in Europe. Located in Torino, Italy, FLIC Scuola di Circo will provide students with introductory circus skills and expose students to an exciting performance practice that will stimulate an aesthetic crossover between circus and theatre.

• TH 561 - Acrobatics
• TH 562 - Object Manipulation
• TH 563 - Equilibrium
• TH 581 - Extended Performance Topic
• TH 582 - Guided Solo and Ensemble Research

Module Four

Creating a style | Arezzo | Fall

Module four reveals different genres of physical theatre from the Clown to Melodrama, from the Bouffon to Composed Theatre. The semester highlights clown presentations in Arezzo and Castelfiorentino and performance in Arezzo of a devised work inspired by musical forms of composition.

• TH 601 - Movement/Voice III
• TH 621 - Music III
• TH 634 - Acting III
• TH 672 - Special Topics I

Module Five

The Concrete Imagination | Arezzo | Spring

In module five the emphasis shifts toward the actor as creator. While new skills and stylistic forms will continue to be explored, students will be moving toward creative autonomy. The first half of the module will commence with an ensemble-devising project under faculty supervision that leads to a fully structured performance. The second half of the semester is dedicated to students’ devising and presenting their own work for public performance and is followed by an intensive workshop with Continuo Theatre from the Czech Republic that prepares students for Module Seven.

• TH 602 - Movement/Voice IV
• TH 631 - Aesthetics/History III
• TH 635 - Acting IV
• TH 673 - Special Topics II
• TH 692 - Graduate Performance Lab II

Module Six: Contemporary Mask

Famille Floez Berlin | Summer

Module six offers students an in-depth study of a stylistic form of theatre that has a tremendous power to communicate through simplicity universal themes of the human condition, as well as an opportunity to develop performance through ensemble improvisation. In addition, students will be exposed to a multiplicity of performance forms and research resources in Berlin.

• TH 632 - Aesthetics/History IV
• TH 636 - Acting V
• TH 693 - Graduate Performance Lab III

Module Seven: Performance Autonomy

Continuo Theatre | Malovice: Czech Republic

Module seven is the culmination of two years of training and creative evolution. At this point in the program students will be on their way to defining their personal style, both as individuals and ensemble collaborators. Under the direction of Pavel Stourac and in collaboration with the permanent members of Continuo Theatre, students will devise and perform a full-length original work in Plum Yard Theatre, Malovice, followed by a short tour in the Czech Republic (including Prague) and Slovakia.

• TH 637 - Graduate Ensemble (5 Credits)

• After premiering at Plum Yard (Malovice), a tour will follow taking students to venues in the Czech Republic (including Prague) and Slovakia.

• TH 699 - Thesis Project (3 Credits)
• Final Thesis

Master of Fine Arts in Physical Theatre | Total Course Hours: 1932 | Total Semester Hours: 60

Following the performance projects in the Czech Republic, students will submit a final thesis that will represent the culmination of their research and creative work.  Further information concerning the parameters of the thesis are forthcoming.  Please refer to the academic schedule for the thesis completion timeline.