RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Two graduate students sorting colorful fabrics in the costume shop


Tuition Scholarships and Assistantships

Villanova’s graduate school tuition is very competitive, and there are a number of ways to finance your master's degree in Theatre.

The program offers a number of graduate Tuition Scholarships and Graduate Assistantships. The Tuition Scholarships cover the cost of tuition, while the Graduate Assistantships cover tuition plus a stipend. To be considered for these funding sources, you should apply for admission in the fall semester. 

Theatre Department assistantships are available in set, costumes, props, and marketing & public relations. Please review the job descriptions below to learn more.

There are also assistantships offered by other Villanova departments and offices. If you apply for other University assistantships, you will still be considered for internal department funding.

For more information, visit Financing Your Education.


Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistants are considered “full-time” or “half-time,” as reflected by the stipend awarded and the time commitment required. Full assistantships come with a stipend of $18,780 per academic year and require 300 hours/semester; half assistantships come with a stipend of $9,390 per academic year and require 200 hours/semester (22-23 rates). In addition, both provide full tuition remission.
 

Tuition Scholarships

Tuition Scholarships provide full tuition remission, and 100 hours of work are required per semester. Multiple tuition scholarships are available and cover a wide range of opportunities and experiences ranging from research to production. 
 

Primary Function:

Under minimal supervision and with explicit instruction and training, to build and support scenic, lighting, and audio/visual elements for the productions in Vasey Theatre.  Also to support department functions and improvements, studio, workshop, or outside productions associated with the Villanova Theatre and Visual Art Department.

Typical Duties:

  • Loading and unloading trucks with lumber, scenery, or debris outdoors.
  • Setting up a scene shop on a daily basis which includes carrying and erecting a table saw, compound mitre saw, and work tables
  • Using a screw gun repetitively on the floor or over head
  • Crawling under the stage in the trap room that is 18” high to run 50’ length cables or drill holes
  • Erecting and dismantling a 14’ scaffold while wearing a harness.
  • Climbing a 14’ scaffold and ladders to hang lights, run cable, or install scenery
  • Climbing a 14’ ladder carrying a 20lb lighting fixture with the purpose of hanging it overhead to the fixed grid while wearing a harness
  • Climbing a 14’ ladder repetitively, approximately 50 times in one day
  • Driving a truck to the on campus dumpster to dispose of scenery
  • Driving a truck to local stores to pick up supplies such as hardware or lumber
  • Sweep, mop, and paint.  This includes cleaning the theatre seats and lobby after build is complete.
  • Two assistants per show will be assigned to do dimmer check and set check and are responsible for maintaining the current production.
  • Use of personnel man lift.
  • Hang and Focus lights from scaffold, ladder, extension ladder, or personnel man lift.

Specialized Skills:

Table Saw, Compound Mitre Saw, Circular Saw, Router, Jig Saw, Cordless and Corded Screw guns, Sawzall, Right Angle Grinder, Band Saw, Portaband, Power Sanders, Metal Cutting Saws, Pneumatic Staple and Nail Guns

Hours per week:

  • Standard work hours are Monday-Friday; 9:30am – 4:00pm with a 30 minute lunch break
  • Work will on occasion begin at 9:00 and will occur on the weekends
  • During technical rehearsal periods, which occur over two weekends per semester, hours are significantly increased and are up to 14 hours per day
  • All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final performance

Positions available:

2 half assistantships available every academic year.

There will be an opportunity to be promoted to a full assistant in the second year.

Primary Function:

Under minimal supervision, and with explicit instruction and training, to build, shop for and create costumes for the productions in Vasey Theatre.  Also to support department functions and improvements, studio, workshop, or outside productions associated with the Villanova Theatre Department.

Typical Duties:

  • Serving as Assistant to the Costume Designer on two shows per year
  • Using Word and Excel to make costume plots and shopping lists
    • Maintaining Dropbox folders for each show - scanning and uploading research, sketches, and paperwork
    • Taking notes and photos in fittings
    • Driving to the mall, thrift stores, etc. to purchase costume pieces
    • Being present in the theatre during technical rehearsals to take notes
  • Serving as First Hand or Pinner in the shop
    • First Hand:  cutting out patterns as instructed by Cutter/Draper
    • Pinner:  pinning costume pieces together to create projects for stitchers
  • Sewing by hand and machine as needed
  • Craft projects using dye, paint, glue, or other materials
  • Pulling costume pieces from department storage on West Campus and maintaining codes and organization
  • Supervising and teaching undergraduate work study students sewing skills and technical terms
  • Carrying 25 – 40 lb bags of clothing up and down stairs to and from department storage on West Campus
  • Standing for up to five hours at a time

Specialized Skills:

  • Sewing machines, overlock machine, steam iron, steamer
  • Mallets, pliers, leather punch, scissors

Hours per week:

  • Standard work hours are weekdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with an hour lunch
  • Part-time assistants work three days a week, full-time assistants work four
  • Assistants may be asked to work over fall and spring breaks and return early from winter break
  • During technical rehearsal periods, which occur over two weekends per semester, hours are significantly increased and are up to 14 hours per day
  • All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final performance

Positions available:

2 half assistantships available every academic year.

There will be an opportunity to be promoted to a full assistant in the second year.

Primary Function:

Under minimal supervision and with explicit instruction and training, to build, shop for, and create props as well as paint scenery for the productions in Vasey Theatre.  Also to support department functions and improvements, studio, workshop, or outside productions associated with the Villanova Theatre Department.

Typical Duties:

  • Loading and unloading trucks with large and heavy items and carrying large items up and down stairs
  • Driving for the purposes of shopping for and obtaining props from department storage
  • Lifting a 50lb bucket of paint
  • Using a screw gun repetitively on the floor or over head
  • Climbing a 14’ scaffold carrying a paint bucket and brush
  • Having a wide range of motion to roll, or brush scenery
  • Standing, leaning, walking and lifting for at least 6 hours a day
  • Using Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop
  • Maintaining and cleaning stock, storage, tool and shop facilities

Specialized Skills:

Table Saw, Compound Mitre Saw, Circular Saw, Router, Jig Saw, Cordless and Corded Screw guns, Sawzall, Right Angle Grinder, Band Saw, Portaband, Power Sanders, Metal Cutting Saws, Pneumatic Staple and Nail Guns, P50 Staple Gun, Hot Glue Gun, and Sewing Machine

Hours per week:

  • Standard work hours are Monday-Friday; 9:30am – 4:00pm with a 30 minute lunch break
  • Work will on occasion begin at 9:00 and will occur on the weekends
  • During technical rehearsal periods, which occur over two weekends per semester, hours are significantly increased and are up to 14 hours per day
  • All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final performance

Positions available:

1 half assistantship available every academic year.

Primary Function:

Provide support for all of Villanova Theatre’s live and digital communications efforts (including press releases, e-blasts, social media, phone and e-mail correspondence).  Assist in planning and set up for departmental events (receptions, talk-backs, open house, etc.).  Coordinate box office activities, group sales, subscription campaigns, special events, and house management.  Manage desktop publishing projects such as the layout/design of playbills, posters, advertisements, and recruitment materials. Assist with mailing, filing, general office duties. Familiarity with basic graphic design, desktop publishing, video editing, and ticketing software is encouraged, though some training will be provided. Must have strong written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail, and a high level of professionalism.

Typical Duties:

  • Draft written material for press releases, e-blasts, and social media
  • Generate graphic material content using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign
  • Layout playbill material, flyers, etc. in InDesign
  • Manage social media sites
  • Monitor, update, and adhere to Marketing & PR deadline calendar in Google
  • Process tickets in Vendini
  • Set up for special events (food, beverages, tables)
  • Loading and unloading event and concessions supplies (must lift up to 25 pounds)
  • Driving for the purpose of shopping and postcard distribution
  • Maintaining and cleaning shared spaces (office, green room, lobby)
  • Answering phone and e-mail inquiries
  • Remain seated at desk for up to six hours
  • General office duties (mailing, filing, ordering office supplies)

Specialized Skills:

  • Basic knowledge of Mac and PC operating systems
  • Microsoft Suite
  • Knowledge of design software
  • Knowledge of ticketing software
  • Professional writing
  • Printer/Copier/Fax Machine operation

Hours per week:

  • Standard work hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10:00am – 4:00pm with a 30 minute lunch break.
  • The Marketing & PR Assistant may be asked to work occasional nights and weekends.
  • During Technical Rehearsal periods hours are significantly increased and are for 14 hours per day on Saturday and Sunday.
  • All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final performance

Positions available:

1 full assistantship available every 2 years.

Primary Function:

Assist Villanova University’s Theatre faculty by providing research support, coordinating professional development, and aiding in administrative tasks. Curate and manage the Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium, Villanova University’s annual research conference. Manage and edit Praxis, the accompanying online academic journal. Must have strong written and verbal communication skills, dramaturgical expertise, strong attention to detail, and a high level of professionalism.

Typical Duties:

  • Assisting faculty in professional and academic projects through research support
  • Assist Department Chair in day-to-day organization
  • Manage Philadelphia Research Symposium and Praxis e-mail and telephone correspondence
  • Generate material for event brochures and invitations
  • Set up for special events (food, beverages, tables)
  • Loading and unloading event and concessions supplies (must lift up to 25 pounds)
  • Driving for the purpose of shopping and event set up.
  • Remain seated at desk for up to six hours

Specialized Skills:

  • Basic knowledge of Mac and PC operating systems
  • Microsoft Suite
  • Research skills
  • Professional writing
  • Printer/Copier/Fax Machine operation

Hours per week:

  • 7 hours required per week. Can supplement with work study hours.
  • Standard work hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 10:00am – 4:00pm with an hour lunch break.
  • The Research Scholar may be asked to work occasional nights and weekends.

Positions available:

1 position available every 1 or 2 years.

Department Awards

The Theatre Department also offers variety of awards and opportunities that offer financial support and recognition to distinguished students.


Benefits for Educators

Villanova offers a 20% tuition discount if you work in a public or private school, and a 40% discount if you work in a Catholic school.

Research Conference Grants

The Graduate Studies Office offers grants to allow graduate students to attend various research conferences. The funds pay for travel, housing and registration costs.

Summer Research Fellowships

You will also have the opportunity to apply for Summer Research funding through the Graduate Studies Office to support travel and other expenses related to your research while in our program. Graduate Student Summer Research Fellowship awards are made on a competitive basis in the amount of $3,500 for work in June, July and August.

Ready for the Next Step?

Department of Theatre and Studio Art
800 E. Lancaster Ave.
Villanova, PA 19085

      

DEADLINES

Fall Assistantship: February 1

Fall: August 1

Spring: December 1

Summer: May 1

If you have missed a deadline, please contact Dr. Valerie Joyce to discuss your options.

Begin your application.

        

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