Featuring: Dustin Mosko (MFA Directing student)

Why did you choose Nebraska’s MFA program?

The University of Nebraska’s Johnny Carson School offers a MFA Directing for Stage and Screen so I was able to study both here.

What is your favorite production you’ve directed at UNL?

Asking a director that question is like asking them to pick a favorite amongst their children. I loved working on< a href="http://arts.unl.edu/theatre-and-film/news/theatrix-concludes-fall-season-marys-wedding" Mary’s Wedding by Stephen Massicotte as the story is just heartbreaking and yet so forgiving and hopeful. My thesis stage production, Fuddy Meers by David Lindsay-Abaire, was a transformative experience for me. I truly have enjoyed each of my film projects as well!

What do you like to do in your leisure time in Lincoln?

I spend time with my wife and my son, who is now a freshman here at UNL. It is strange to see him around campus doing his own thing. Lincoln has a small town feel for its size and lots of diversity. Can’t say I get out much in the winter. Yikes!

How would you describe the difference in directing for stage and for the screen?

Theatre begs for ‘bigger’, as we must deliver to the back row. Film is the art of doing less to achieve the same effect. On the stage we focus on the big picture and in film, the minute details. The pre-production processes are completely different as film is mainly a long technical process with a short time period set aside for construction and performance. The rehearsal process for theatre is generally much longer as the actors must perform live. Film is very forgiving as once the footage is in the can the performance can be altered and presented at any point afterward.