MFA in Scenic Design
All applicants must hold at least a bachelor's degree or international equivalent. The application process includes an on-site interview and portfolio review. Artistically talented individuals with previous experience in theatrical design may apply for either a two or three year degree program. The actual duration of the degree cannot be confirmed however until the end of the first year of residence and will depend on the student’s first year performance and progress in the program. The student must also make up any curriculum deficiencies under the direction of the area faculty, which may add to the time in residence.
The first year of study typically consists of course and studio work, crew and department head, and/or design assignments on studio or mainstage productions. The first year experience provides hands-on exposure to our practices, procedures, and protocols. For the second year (and third, when required) students move into more ambitious production design, assistant designer, and department head positions. The most significant production in the final year of study is typically selected as the thesis production, which requires complete graphic and written documentation and committee defense plus full portfolio review. Students can expect to design three to six stage productions in their residency. See separate portfolio and interview requirements.
MFA in Stage Design
Academic class sequence
Year 1 |
Fall |
|
Winter |
|
Spring |
||
Scenic Design 1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
||||
Scenic Design Lab and Crew |
2 |
2 |
2 |
||||
Rendering for Stage Designers |
3 |
3 |
3 |
||||
Scenic Painting 1 (Fall only) |
2 |
0 |
0 |
||||
Drafting 1* or 2 (Winter & Spring) |
0 |
2 |
2 |
||||
Approaches to Production (Fall only) |
3 |
0 |
0 |
||||
Workshop Practicum or Special Topics (depending on design assignment. Fall, Winter, or Spring) |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
||||
Academic Elective/DAAP elective |
0 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
||
Vectorworks for the Theatre (Fall only) * |
(2) |
|
0 |
|
0 |
||
Foundation of Design Drawing (DAAP) * |
(3) |
|
(3) |
|
(3) |
||
* As needed to rectify deficiencies |
13-18 |
|
13-16 |
|
13-16 |
||
Year 2 |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
||||
Scenic Design 2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
||||
*Stage Design Lab and Crew -or- |
(2) |
(2) |
(2) |
||||
*Props for the Theatre (Fall, Winter, or Spring) |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
||||
*Workshop Practicum or Special Topics (depending on design assignment Fall, Winter, or Spring) |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
||||
Script Analysis |
3 |
3 |
0 |
||||
Advanced Script Analysis |
0 |
0 |
3 |
||||
Academic Elective/DAAP elective |
3 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
||
Drafting for the Theater 3 |
0 |
|
2 |
|
2 |
||
Scenic Painting 2 |
2 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
||
*Production assignments & responsibilities need to be carefully balanced quarter-to-quarter; SD L&C can be waived depending on other production assignments) |
16-17 |
|
16-17 |
|
16-17 |
||
Year 3 |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|||
Design/Research Project |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
|||
Drafting 3 |
0 |
|
2 |
2 |
||
Lighting or Costume Design or Technology courses |
3 |
|
3 |
3 |
||
Lighting or Costume Lab and Crew |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|||
Aesthetics (Spring only) |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|||
Workshop Practicum or Special Topics (depending on design assignment Fall, Winter, or Spring) |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
|||
Academic Elective |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|||
CCM or DAAP elective |
(3) |
|
(3) |
(3) |
||
14-17 |
|
13-16 |
|
13-17 |
Total credits accrued in 3 year layout: 127 - 151