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What is Theatre Design and Technology?

Theatre Design and Technology is a field of study focused on the ideation and creation of theatric design and construction.  Theatre design and technology is often called scenery design, stage design, set design, production design or scenography but the essence of each is similar.  In addition to design and technology, students can expect a rigorous curriculum that may include learning: script analysis, character development, budgeting, time management, construction management, design skills, and synthesizing information to create original ideas.  Accredited schools that provide an important balance between practical application and applied theory tend to resonate best with students combining the best of the classroom experience with hands-on learning.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$57,600

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

35.64%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

12,060

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Theatre Design and Technology Degree

An MFA Certificate in Technical Design and Production is currently available at Yale University. This program trains students so they’ll understand how to apply new technologies to the achievement of artistic goals in a safe and efficient way. The department will select highly motivated students to benefit from the resources of the School of Drama and Yale Rep. This program aims to meet the need for more knowledgeable and collaborative managers. 

Acceptance Rate

6.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

BFA in Theater Design at the University of Southern California combines up-to-date training in scenic, lighting and costume design. Students will be given one-on-one guidance from a faculty of award-winning working professionals. In the first year of enrollment, students will immediately start exploring the skills acquired in the classroom through the given assignments on production. The mission of this program is to produce graduates with an extensive design portfolio.

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The School of Drama Scenic Design degree at Carnegie Mellon University prepares students for careers as Art directors, scenic designers, and production designers. This program focuses on developing creative problem solving and strengthening effective communication skills. Students are guaranteed to acquire skills that are critical to communicating their design vision in classes with emphasis to drawing, model-building, painting, and drafting. Access to production shops and many state-of-the-art tools is given to students.

Acceptance Rate

15.44

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

A program for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design & Production is available at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. This program is ideal for students who have great interest in all facets of design and production, including theory, history, aesthetics, graphics, technology and crafts. This program is designed to give education solely to undergraduate students. Students here will not be required to declare a specific track upon acceptance to the program.

Acceptance Rate

22.91

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

A MFA in Theatre Design and Technical Production is an accredited degree program currently available at Tulane University of Louisiana. This program provides in-depth study of theatrical design areas with an emphasis on helping students prepare for a career in the professional theatre. Those who are interested in becoming a teacher of a specialized field at the university level, this program is also a perfect fit for you. Applicants for admission in this program should have completed an undergraduate degree in theatre or at least have had an equivalent training and experience. 

Acceptance Rate

12.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Talented and committed students at Boston University are trained to prepare for careers in the professional world of theatre and related entertainment media through their program for BFA in Theatre, Technical Production Major. In this major, students will demonstrate the ability to enrich creative storytelling and take artistic risks. This program will help students develop awareness and ability to engage with diverse communities as a theatre artist. As they graduate, they can confidently manifest spoken and written critical thinking communication and collaboration skills in an arts-based discipline.

Acceptance Rate

18.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

If you are planning for a career as a designer for film, dance, theatre, opera and television, the Department of Design for Stage and Film at New York University will help you get there. They offer a three-year Master of Fine Arts degree program that provides an outstanding faculty of working professionals and endless opportunities to take full advantage of the cultural resources of New York City. They also guarantee to give close proximity to every type of performing and media art.

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

A degree in Theatre and Dance is currently offered at the University of California – San Diego. The curriculum in this Department is based on the belief that a good undergraduate education in theatre or dance must provide a solid background in dramatic literature and the history and aesthetics of theatrical performance. In addition to that, it should provide exposure to a variety of artistic components of theatrical art- playwriting, performance, choreography and design. Moreover, the curriculum also provides a sequence of courses to fulfill the fine arts.

Acceptance Rate

31.48

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

The Theatre major at Pepperdine University delivers rigorous training in the performing arts within the liberal arts setting of Seaver College. They give high production values onstage and frequent master classes led by professional guest artists. They always make sure that each student experiences firsthand the excitement of becoming theatre professionals. As a result, majors become artistically and intellectually prepared for careers in directing, music, acting, media production, and production design. 

Acceptance Rate

31.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

A highly competitive, terminal, pre-professional degree program in Master of Fine Arts in Design is currently offered at the University of Maryland – College Park. In this academic program, graduate students get the chance to be engaged with national and international performing artists through master classes, conversations, and performances. This program focuses on the development of specific production-related skills under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty. They also provide numerous internship and professional opportunities. 

Acceptance Rate

44.18

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

An academic degree in Theatre is currently available at Denison University. This program gives emphasis to theatre-making as generative and creative rather than interpretative. Students here will learn how to create theatre through design, playwriting, acting, and directing. The goal of this program is to develop students’ intellectual and artistic potential.

Acceptance Rate

29.39

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Emerson College’s education in Theatre Design Technology is designed to prepare students for entering the theatre industry as professionals in their own craft. They will train the students to become fluent in the language of design and technology. As they continue to study in this program, students will become conversant with the tools that they encounter at theatres throughout the country. When they graduate, they will have a strong understanding of the essentials of design.

Acceptance Rate

33.35

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Theatre Design and Technology at Syracuse University combines classroom and hands-on learning experiences. The unique feature of this program is that, if you are primarily interested in design, you will be allowed to specialize in one or more areas including costume design, lighting design, and set design. But if your interest is in the technical aspects of theatre, then you can choose to explore scene construction painting, properties, lighting, sound design, or costumes. All of the students will have the chance to work collaboratively with faculty designers and directors.

Acceptance Rate

44.38

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

BFA degree in Design/Tech at the University of Connecticut is structured to prepare candidates for entry level positions in the areas of management, technology, design, and craft professions in theatre and in other parts of the entertainment industry. Majors will receive the opportunity to study in all areas. Some of the students who completed this program advanced to graduate level professional training in different institutions throughout the country. Outstanding undergraduates were even able to work as principal designers of CRT Mainstage productions.

Acceptance Rate

49.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre at George Washington University gives an education that has emphasis on all aspects of the field. The coursework provided is designed to help students understand each part of a successful production. The unique feature of this program is that students can partner with other programs across the university which leads to an expansive creative foundation to pair with in-depth studio training. The strong interdisciplinary approach and their award-winning faculty gave their students incredible opportunities to become experts in the art of theatre.

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with an emphasis on Design and Technology is currently offered at Texas Christian University. This emphasis prepares students to work professionally in the areas of lighting, scenic, sound, props and costume design, scenic construction and on other areas of theatre production. This BFA program requires a yearly jury with the design and production faculty. All majors should also serve on a production crew each semester.

Acceptance Rate

47.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

The Theatre Department at the College of the Ozarks offers three majors: Theatre, Music Theatre and Speech & Theatre Education as well as a Theatre minor. This program’s objective is to help students develop an appreciation for the performing arts and their positive contributions in historical and contemporary society. Students will recognize the human desire for creativity instilled by God. Each student will acquire experience in performance and technical theatre to develop a strong work ethic.

Acceptance Rate

10.26

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

SUNY at Binghamton offers a program for BA in Theatre Design. This program will provide students with the opportunity to take courses in areas such as directing, dance, and design/technical theatre. Students are also allowed to take courses in performance theory, musical theatre, history or criticism. In this program, students will receive internships, research opportunities and more.

Acceptance Rate

40.53

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

MFA in Theatre Design degree is currently offered at the University of Washington – Seattle Campus. They provide rigorous and highly-personalized courses of study. As a result, their designers are able to develop skills that they need to effectively communicate whether socially or visually with their collaborators and with their audiences. The goal of this program is to train collaborative, conscious artists of the highest caliber that can meet complex artistic challenges with integrity, ingenuity, and excellence. The faculty and alumni of this program works in every corner of the industry. 

Acceptance Rate

51.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Baylor University is currently offering a program in Theatre Design and Technology. This major is intended for students focused on professional careers in set design, lighting design, technical design, or costume design. Most of the course work provided lies within the theatre arts department. With this, students can concentrate on design and their design area of choice. 

Acceptance Rate

45.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Purdue University offers a program for BA in Design & Production Major. In this program students can expect to receive a solid foundation in the design and production of theatre as part of a well-rounded liberal arts education. Each student will work as part of a team which will help them learn to communicate in a creative environment in a theatrical production. Students can choose to focus on a given area of the design and production process.

Acceptance Rate

59.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

A program for BFA in Theatre Design & Technology can be found at Illinois Wesleyan University. This program provides a practice-based, all-encompassing pre professional curriculum. Its theory coursework includes topics such as theater history and literature. Aside from intensive coursework, BFA technicians and designers will learn how to apply their crafts behind the scenes at active production season.

Acceptance Rate

60.8

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

The Theater degree at Bennington College was ranked by the Princeton review in the top five for “Best College Theater”. Here, students gain access to state-of-the-art theater spaces and abundant opportunities to get involved on all levels. They also guarantee to provide hands-on production experience. In each term wherein students take a class in drama, they will also complete working in the scene shop, technical crew, technical lab, or costume shop. 

Acceptance Rate

60.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

The University of Massachusetts Amherst strongly believes in the creative and intellectual potential of every student, that is why they offered a major in Theater and Dance. In this major, students will work to build skills in creative problem solving, collaborative pay and action. Students who are interested in plays and playwriting, directing or design, dancing or acting, or choreography are all invited in this program. They guarantee to provide an interdisciplinary foundation in the arts of theater, dance and in their theory, literature, and history.

Acceptance Rate

63.8

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Temple University offers a Design and Production Concentration. This is tailored to prepare students to enter graduate design or technology programs or even pursue professional careers in television, film, and theater. They provide varied classes in design and technology. They make sure that each student will develop strong practical and artistic skills required for creative communication and artistic leadership.

Acceptance Rate

60.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Top Theatre Design Degrees

There are a number of degree programs available from a variety of schools in theatre design.  From large public universities to boutique art schools, you can find theatre degrees included in many higher education institutions.  The primary degree programs you will find include a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.  To help you decide which of these two degree tracks is best for you, we have created a summary of each below.   Connect with the schools that fit you best by simply reaching out for additional information.

Theatre Design Bachelor Degrees

Bachelor degrees in theatre can take a number of different forms.  They can be a general degree or target a specific component of design.  Examples of specific degree programs include:

  • Visual Arts
  • Stage Properties
  • Stage Management
  • Stage Automation
  • Scenic Art
  • Scenic Technology
  • Project Management
  • Scene Design
  • Production Management
  • Sound Design

Each degree program will contain its own unique set of curricula to help prepare students for a specific discipline within the theatre or a general understanding of each component.  Degrees conferred at this level are either a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA).  Core classes in a scenic technology degree program will include areas of study and skills that include: lighting, scenery, drafting, design, welding, metalworking, stagecraft, theatrical rigging, construction techniques, technical graphics, and structural engineering.  The BFA and BA programs will typically take 4-years to complete for students matriculating on a full-time basis.

Theatre Design Master Degrees

Master degrees in theatre design are designed to be 2-3 year programs for most students.  Much like the bachelor’s degree programs, the emphasis of the program will vary by degree track and school offerings.  Qualified students may have the opportunity to customize a degree program by selecting specific electives.  However, most programs offered in theatre design have a set core group of classes pre-selected.  Students interested in a discipline such as stage automation, you will take a series of upper level classes along with learn on-site valuable skills such as: construction technology, technical graphics, computer aided design techniques, equipment for moving scenery, welding, and motion control.  Students graduating with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree can expect to work in local theatres, regional performing arts centers, or national production companies such as Cirque de Soleil.

Skills & Abilities Required in Theatre Technology

  1. Speaking
  2. Instructing
  3. Reading Comprehension
  4. Oral Comprehension
  5. Speech Recognition
  6. Written Comprehension
  7. Active Listening
  8. Writing
  9. Speech Clarity
  10. Oral Expression
Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment & Theatre Specializations

For students that earn a college degree in Theatre Design and Technology, there are several fields of specialization that one can pursue. The options range from architecture, modeling, construction, project management, set designing, script analysis, budgeting, production manager, event management, and lighting specialist to name a few possible career tracks.

Career Growth in Theatre Design

The job growth in the greater Theatre Design and Technology domain are well above average.  For example, the rate of job growth for producers is expected to rise 9% through 2024 and multimedia artists a 6% growth rate is expected during the same period.  Given the broad nature of the Theatre Design and Technology degree, compensation after graduation can vary greatly from career field to career field given prior experience and geographic location.  Related fields include teaching, modeling, construction, project management, personnel management, set designing, budget manager, production manager, and event management.

Additional Resources for Theatre Designers

Undergraduate and graduate students seeking additional information about this area study can connect with national association groups.  Two highly respected associations are the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) and the Education Theatre Association (ETA).  Both provide unique resources for members and non-members along with event listings, support, and advocacy for the arts.

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