The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting is a program dedicated solely to the development of the advanced actor pursuing a career in professional and/or academic theatre. The MFA in Acting is a terminal degree designed to develop the individual's artistry and to provide advanced specialized training. The degree is the appropriate choice for students intending to pursue professional careers in theatre, film, and/or television.<br>The MFA in Acting program is competitive, accepting a small core of students every other year, ensuring that classes are small and training is personal. Students study voice, movement, acting for the camera, audition techniques, dialects, and contemporary and period scene study. At the core of the program is an intensely focused series of acting classes in conjunction with practicum credits where students apply what they have learned.<br><br>During their course of study, students are expected to complete 60 hours of classes, and perform at least three major or supporting roles in the Mainstage, Theatre 232, Theatre for Youth, or Studio seasons. MFA Acting students are also required to seek professional opportunities at Triad Stage, the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, and other major theatres. The program also requires a Master Production consisting of a performed role, a formal analytical paper, and a rehearsal journal. In the final semester, MFA Acting students participate in the School of Theatre's New York Showcase as a means of launching their professional careers.