Department of Drama

Gary J. William	Emeritus Professor of Drama
Eleanor Holdridge	Chair andOrdinary Professor
Rosalind Flynn	Associate Professor
Marietta Hedges	Associate Professor
Patrick Tuite	Associate Professor
Janine Buesgen	Lecturer
Carol Cadby	Lecturer
Mark Chalfant	Lecturer
Andrew Cohen	Lecturer
Melissa Flaim	Lecturer
Patrick Flynn	Lecturer
Shanara Gabrielle	Lecturer
Robb Hunter	Lecturer
Drew Lichtenberg	Lecturer
Brian McDermott	Lecturer
Brenna McDonough	Lecturer
Thomas Morra	Lecturer
Alex Piper	Lecturer
Michelle Washington	Lecturer
Mark Wujcik	Lecturer

Department Website

The Department of Drama offers the B.A., B.F.A., an M.A. in Theater History and Criticism, an M.A. in Theater Education, M.F.A. programs in acting, directing and playwriting, a Graduate Certificate in Creative Teaching Through Drama, and a Professional Speech Communication Program.

The M.A. in Theatre History and Criticism and the M.F.A. programs in Acting, Directing, and Playwriting are not accepting new students at this time.

Admissions (Degree Programs)

Full instructions for applying to the graduate programs can be found on the Drama Website. Applicants ordinarily should present an undergraduate major in drama or a related field, plus supporting materials as specified below. Students with other majors who have had some successful theater coursework (academic or performance) or production experience are welcome to apply.

All applicants for the M.A. or M.F.A. programs must submit their final and official undergraduate transcripts; select programs require applicants to also submit scores of the Graduate Record Examination-taken within the last five years; at least two letters of recommendation testifying to the applicant's academic and creative potential for graduate work; and résumés of acting, directing or other theater experience. Reference letters should testify to the applicant's potential for, and probable commitment to, the chosen program.

The department strongly encourages, in addition, the submission of a formal writing sample (such as an academic paper) by applicants for all programs, most especially applicants who believe their academic potential may not be fully represented by transcripts or GRE scores. Applicants for the acting and directing tracks of the M.F.A. program must audition. Writers must present manuscripts of plays, and applicants for the M.A. program must submit an example of their writing concerning literature, history or performance. Interviews are strongly recommended for anyone interested in the M.F.A. Playwriting Program and M.A. programs. Applicants will be contacted by the department to make arrangements for their audition. Application materials and the appropriate application fee should be sent to the Office of Admissions, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064.

Admissions (Non-Degree Programs)

Completed CUA Graduate Application for Admission;

Proof of enrollment in a CUA graduate program; or (if an applicant is not enrolled in a CUA graduate program) final and official transcripts from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university showing completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree, or the international equivalent;

Statement of purpose, approximately 250 words in length, describing the reason for enrolling in a certificate or non-degree continuing education program;

Résumé, detailing one's professional experiences (work, awards, memberships);

A pre-admission interview with the head of the program. If an interview is not possible, requirements 3 and 4 can replace it. Similarly, the head of the program may waive requirements 3 and 4 if an interview is satisfactory;

A recommendation from a full-time faculty member at CUA may also replace requirements 3 and 4.

International applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency, as documented by either an official TOEFL score report, with a minimum score of 237 on the "older" TOEFL, or 92 - 93 on the reformatted TOEFL or an official IELTS score report, with a minimum score of 6.5.

Continuation/Dismissal Policy

The full-time faculty regularly assess the progress of each student semester-by-semester and make determinations about continuation based on academic and/or professional criteria defined as follows:

Academic Standard The full faculty may recommend the withdrawal or dismissal of students who receive grades below a B- in three courses. The courses include the work in studio courses, practica and critical studies.

Professional Standards The full faculty evaluates each student's attendance and completion of work on a consistent basis, which raises the craft and trade of the theater to the dignity of a learned profession. Continuation in the program is never guaranteed.