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Theatre and Media Arts

Graduate Studies

More than ever, media literacy is an essential skill that needs to be taught to everyone, everywhere -- in classrooms, at home, in our communities, and through the media itself. We're doing our best to prepare our students to critically and meaningfully engage with media and culture -- as teachers, scholars, artists, and citizens.
BENJAMIN THEVENIN, PHD.
Assistant Professor of Media Arts, Associate Graduate Coordinator
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I have been impressed with the solid foundation in film theory and criticism that I have been given in my first year in the program. It has helped me enormously to develop a radical pedagogy for my students so that they can critically negotiate media.
BOB BAUER
Theatre and Film teacher at Provo High School, MA Candidate 2015
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We teach graduate students to creatively engage with issues of representation, identity, and performance. We prepare them to research, write, teach, and encourage them to become thoughtful participants in their communities and the world.
MEGAN SANBORN JONES, PHD.
Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator
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My top best things about a BYU MA in Theatre and Media Arts:
  1. Rigorous academic standards that push you to expand your intellectual and artistic capability.
  2. Openness to discovery and exploring what excites you, individually.
  3. A chance to explore this challenging discipline in a safe, deeply spiritual environment.
SHELLEY GRAHAM
Resident Dramaturg at the Covey Center for the Arts
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ADMISSIONS

The Graduate Studies Program for the MA in Media & Performance Studies is being discontinued and will no longer be accepting applications. Check back for updates. Email wadeh@byu.edu or tina_bellon@byu.edu with any questions.

THE PROGRAM

The Theatre and Media Arts Department offers one MA degree in Media and Performance Studies. It is an interdisciplinary program that trains students to critically examine how text, performance, and interactivity construct social realities in different historical moments—including the present historical moment. The program pulls together cutting-edge studies from the fields of history, literary and screen theory, curatorial studies, critical race theory, popular culture, performance philosophy, women’s studies, and media literacy.

The degree consists of core classes and a range of special topics electives. Students will work with graduate faculty drawn from both the theatre and media arts to shape a course of study that is targeted for their own interests. The program wraps up with comprehensive exams and the writing of a solid scholarly thesis. This MA degree stresses rigorous scholarship, high artistic standards, and learning inspired by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Students who complete the master’s degree in Media and Performance Studies, will be prepared to:

  1.  Pursue a doctoral degree in the fields of performance studies, English, theatre, music, communications, curatorial, film, education, and cultural studies.
  2.  Improve their on-going work as an educator, teaching artist, or practitioner.
  3.  Join the staff of a wide variety of artistic institutions like museums, arts agencies, public history programs and archives.
  4.  Work within a wide variety of media like commercial and noncommercial television, film, and web production as well as culturally relevant magazines and web publications.

Theatre and Media Arts Graduate Handbook 2021-2022

Expected Learning Outcomes

CONTACT

CONTACT US

Graduate Secretary Tina Bellon, Email: tina_bellon@byu.edu

Graduate Coordinator Wade Hollingshaus, Email: wadeh@byu.edu