Plays are given readings and studio productions. Those accepted by the program, limited to 6 highly promising writers per year, can compete to showcase their work in the Monday Night Reading Series as part of the Summer New Plays Project. Students selected for this series have the opportunity to interact with professional actors and renowned playwrights as well as major national theater companies. Two students with proven ability are admitted to the Graduate Directing program each year. The program focuses on the critical playwright-director relationship in collaboration with strong acting design elements.
Students direct at least four required productions, with opportunity for additional experience.
The Graduate Design program is comprised of scene, costume, and lighting concentrations. Familiarity with each area and overall versatility are required, with students selecting a focus of one or two disciplines. The academic curriculum provides the theoretical foundations for classroom training projects. Classroom projects work in tandem with significant hands-on production design experience. PTM seeks to educate capable technicians and managers who possess the ability to utilize emerging technologies and the vision to create new ones.