The Master of Arts (MA) in Acting and Contemporary Performance Making is a one-year program that offers specific skills and experience in the fields of acting and devising. Students receive rigorous preparation in the foundational skills of acting and collaborative devising, including approaches to presence, characterization, physical and vocal expression, improvisation, realistic and heightened texts, collaboration, and creative experimentation. Students will receive exposure to multiple styles, performance formats and media (including on-camera and voiceover work) and will create and publicly present multiple original performances, including one fully-produced original play. They will also receive a grounding in entrepreneurship and innovation for creatives, which will prepare them to launch their own independent creative careers and collaborative ensembles.

As a result of successfully completing program requirements, students should be able to:

• apply vocal, movement and acting techniques from the realistic to the abstract within performance;
• create and perform material within different theatrical styles and performance languages;
• engage successfully in the artistic and administrative aspects of a collaborative ensemble;
• contribute original work to the theatrical culture of Chicago; and
• employ entrepreneurial skills and best business practices in the creation and development of artistic careers within an ensemble or as a solo artist.