Theatre (BFA) - Design and Technology

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) track in Design and Technology provides rigorous training in all areas of theatre design and technology. Students gain practical experience through production assignments, faculty mentorship, and professional internships, preparing them for successful careers as costume, lighting, set, props, and sound designers, as well as theatre technicians. The program emphasizes artistic growth and demands dedication, with high standards for admission and continuation.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) track in Design and Technology is designed for students aiming for specialized careers in professional theatre. It offers a comprehensive foundation in theatre alongside structured and intensive career preparation in all design and technology areas.

Objectives:

• Provide a thorough foundation in theatre.
• Offer structured and intensive career preparation in all areas of design and technology.
• Equip students with practical experience to build professional portfolios.
• Prepare students for professional internships in real-world work environments.
• Provide a strong foundation for graduate studies in theatre.

Description:

• Students work alongside faculty as design or technical assistants in their first two years.
• They gain technical leadership opportunities in roles like prop master, master electrician, first hand, draper, scenic artist, master carpenter, and technical director.
• Qualified students can pursue design positions within the production season.
• The curriculum emphasizes proficiency in design and technology related to scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound.
• Students specialize in one or two areas, focusing their production assignments in their junior and senior years.
• The program culminates in a professional internship.
• The BFA program demands energy and dedication, making part-time study or outside employment challenging.
• Admission and continuation in the program have high standards.
• Production assignments prioritize student artistic growth, coordinating production experience with classroom exploration.

Assessment:

• Departmental faculty evaluates students through portfolio reviews and interviews for admission.
• Students must earn a "C" (2.0) or better or an "S" in each music or theatre course.
• They must maintain a 3.0 GPA for all courses required in the major and all courses taken in theatre.
• Students must not receive a negative evaluation in a regularly scheduled program review.
• They must not exhibit chronic unprofessional behavior.
• Failure to meet these standards results in probation and/or dismissal from the program.

Careers:

• Costume Designer
• Lighting Designer
• Musical Tour Designer
• Props Design
• Set Designer
• Sound Design
• Theatre Technician

Other:

• The program requires a Fall start for proper course sequencing.
• Students are not accepted to begin theatre courses in the Spring or Summer semesters.
• Students must follow the most recent department, internship, and school student handbooks.
• All BFA Design and Technology majors are required to participate in Fall and Spring productions and must accept the assigned production positions.
• Students must be registered for the appropriate Theatre Participation course during their participation term.
• Students need not take additional hours to satisfy practicum requirements.
• Once students complete their production participation requirements, they can register for a "0" credit participation course to meet departmental registration requirements.
• Students can use additional participation credits as electives.
• The department accepts one credit of Theatre Participation coursework for transfer students.
• Additional transfer participation credits count towards electives.
• Internships are subject to departmental approval and cannot be fulfilled through participation in a UCF theatre production.
• Courses designated Common Program Prerequisites are typically completed in the first 60 hours.
• Courses designated General Education Program are taken throughout all four years.
• Co-op cannot be used in this major.
• Students must consult with a departmental advisor every semester before registration.
• Failure to consult with a department advisor may lead to departmental probation and potentially release from the program.
• The BFA program is not designed for transfer students, but they may audition and be admitted.
• Transfer students should consult with the Department Undergraduate Coordinator to evaluate their transfer credits and estimate the program length.
• Transfer students are required to meet the departmental theatre participation requirement through participation in UCF productions.
• Courses transferred from private and out-of-state schools must be evaluated for equivalency credit.
• Students must provide all supporting information for course equivalency evaluations.
• Students interested in Honors in the Major should contact their program advisor.

Tuition and fees are not mentioned in the context.