MFA Directing

The Theatre School’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in directing is a high octane three-year program that gives artistically ambitious directors a challenging training ground to develop and explore their artistic vision. Two students are selected to enter the program each year. All MFA Directing students are guaranteed a scholarship, which is renewable all three years. 

Our curriculum focuses on marrying skill and imagination with both small seminar and active practicum courses dedicated to expanding our students' directorial toolboxes and inciting their artistry. Our production program challenges student directors to conceive, pitch, design, cast, and rehearse five fully produced projects over three seasons as resident directors in our state-of-the-art facilities.

Our distinguished faculty of working artists provide real world instruction and a direct pipeline to the field. Situated just a short walk or El ride away from some of its most storied theatres, The Theatre School shares a revolving door with the city of Chicago - one of the nation's most vibrant theatre scenes. The artists, leaders, productions, and theatres that our MFA directors come into contact with inspire them while they are in school and launch them when they graduate.

Download the MFA Directing Viewbook