Hollins is a small, private, four-year university located on a
beautiful 475-acre campus in Roanoke, Virginia. Students enjoy
Hollins' challenging and supportive academic environment and our
focus on individualized learning. Hollins' historic and beautiful
campus is minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian
Trail. Although the setting is decidedly pastoral, it is also
minutes from the small city of Roanoke (230,000 in the metro
area), offering many of the cultural amenities people enjoy.
Hollins offers unique summer MFA and MA programs in both the
scholarly study and the writing of children's and adolescent
literature, in which you will have the opportunity to be part of
a uniquely diverse group of scholars, writers, and teachers.
It is Hollins' belief that any serious student of writing must
study closely the best works of others, and any scholar of
literature benefits from the experience of writing. Thus, the MFA
leads to a master of fine arts in the writing of work for
children and adolescents, from picture books to young adult
novels, through a program which also includes scholarly study of
the genre. On the other hand, in the MA program, you may
concentrate solely on the study of children's and young adult
literature as a genre which has received far too little scholarly
attention in the past, or you may do up to half your coursework
in creative writing, or choose a balance somewhere in between,
depending on your goals.
Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting
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The Hollins MFA program in playwriting is designed for those
interested in playwriting as well as those who want an academic
study of theatre with the playscript as the central foundation.
Our unique summer program, with its emphasis on both scholarly
research and creative writing, will enable graduates of the
program to:
- Produce dramatic works of the highest quality.
- Write and articulate clear, perceptive, and informed analyses
of dramatic texts.
- Pursue careers in such professions as dramatic writing,
dramaturgy, literary management, and arts instruction.
Hollins offers an intensive, supportive and challenging
atmosphere that encourages academic excellence, a spirit of
independent inquiry, a free exchange of ideas and a love of
learning. Our faculty of productive scholars and visiting faculty
of established artists work together to help you achieve your
academic, professional and artistic goals.
You'll work closely with Hollins' visiting professional faculty,
artists-in-residence and guest speakers to develop the kind of
personal and professional relationships that can lead to reading
and production credits before graduation--an advantage few other
programs offer.
Master of Arts in Screenwriting and Film Studies
Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting and Film Studies
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We believe that theory and practice are mutually beneficial. Thus
the graduate program in screenwriting and film studies is
designed both for students who wish to study screenwriting
intensively and for those whose primary interest is the academic
study of film. For both groups, and for a majority of students
whose interests lie somewhere in between, the program offers
significant advantages. Aside from classes, students benefit from
an exciting series of visiting screenwriters, filmmakers, and
film scholars during each summer term, as well as a regular
series of film screenings and discussions. Academy Award-winning
filmmaker Marleen Gorris, Tom Noonan, Les Blank, and Candida
Royalle have been among recent visitors to the program.
At Hollins you have the opportunity to become part of a
supportive community of screenwriters, filmmakers, and scholars
who share a love of the art of film. Class sizes are small and
you will enjoy regular interaction with a distinguished faculty
from Hollins as well as institutions across the country and
around the world.
You may choose a program concentrating solely on the study of
film history, criticism, and theory, or a program in which you
may do up to half your work in screenwriting. In three to five
summers (depending on how you structure your program) you can
complete your degree in a stimulating academic community where
the art of film is both enjoyed and seriously examined.
