Who: Mark Stanley, Lighting Design MFA Program Head
School: Boston University
City: Boston, MA

What advice would you give to someone who is in the process of applying to MFA programs in general and specifically to Boston University?

First, be passionate about theatre and the art of story telling and be committed to creating theatre for your generation. Second, be a sponge. Take in everything you can from your peers, your faculty, and the world around you. Be willing to experiment, try something new, risk failure, and work hard. And finally be broad based. Show us that you explore theatre and design from multiple points of view and experiences.

Our mission statement reflects the qualities and values we are looking for in our students.

• We believe in the artistic possibilities of collaboration that involve faculty, students, alumni, and guest artists in potent explorations of the art form that encourage working together as the best means for achieving artistic growth.
• We believe that artists must be provided with a rigorous curriculum that allows mastery of the skills of their particular area of interest, be it in acting, directing, playwriting, dramaturgy, design, production, or management.
• We believe that every member of our community is a part of the artistic home that we create together. In that home, we nurture an appreciation of challenge, a conviction for the value of everyone’s potential, and a belief in the need for intellectual growth as a core part of developing artistic growth.
• We believe that the School can serve the profession by interacting with it and providing a laboratory for the development of new work or new approaches to existing work. Like our colleagues in the sciences, our role as stewards within an excellent research institution is to be on the forefront of exploring new possibilities for the theatre.

Where is favorite place on or near campus for lunch or coffee?

Sunset Cantina- You can almost always find a theatre student or faculty hanging out there for lunch, dinner, or after a rehearsal or show.

What do you like about living in Boston?

Boston is a vibrant, diverse, living city. With over 60 colleges and universities, it has an energy and that makes it forward thinking and full of possibilities. It has many distinct and varied districts and communities, with rich histories and cultural flavors. It’s easy to navigate on foot or bike (but not drive in), and has something for everyone.

What are your favorite things to do off-campus in your free time?

Sailing on the Charles River. Going to the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art). Restaurant hopping in the North End (great Italian food). Exploring great historical sites, or taking the “T” out to Revere Beach.