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MFA Acting Program Turns 35; Strongest Class Ever by Damian Bowerman (MFA, 2002) OSU's Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in acting, which turns 35 this year, welcomed a new group of 10 MFA actors last fall. The program focuses on the creation of performer-generated new works and prepares students in the fundamentals of acting. Thanks to the department's nationwide recruiting efforts, the new class of students comes from Ohio, Louisiana, Idaho, California, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Bosnia, Montana and New York. One class of MFA actors is recruited every three years and they follow the three-year curriculum together. But . . . why Ohio State? Mark Shanda, chair of the department, explains, "Several years ago we asked ourselves the hard question, 'Why study acting in Ohio?' The answer led to one of the most exciting curricular reforms in years. Building on the strengths of our faculty, the resources of the Theatre Research Institute, and our partnerships with the Wexner Center for the Arts and CAPA, we offer a graduate level actor training program that prepares students for entry into professional theatre and academia, combined with the ability to create new work." And the proof is in the pudding. All 10 students who graduated last spring are working professionally in theatre . . . after just six months. Plus, says Shanda, the new MFA class is academically the strongest group of recruits ever gathered. MFA student Kal Poole adds, "This program stands out for me as one of those rare places where you are encouraged to find the best artist that you can become. There are a lot of MFA programs that produce cookie-cutter actors that work in a very limited way. OSU offered the opportunity to not only act, but to teach and direct and create my own work. The focus on creating new work was a huge selling point for me." |
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