Theatre Design, Technology and Production
Program Overview
Theatre Design, Technology and Production - B.F.A.
About This Program
Bring your theatre production dreams to life with our B.F.A. program. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, this program prepares you for a career in theatre production. Access industry-standard tools, experienced faculty and real-world opportunities. Enroll now and take the first step toward a career in theatre production.
Program Delivery
- Delivery: In person
- Location: Kent Campus
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries
- Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
- 5.6% faster than the average
- 116,300 number of jobs
- $69,690 potential earnings
- Lighting technicians and media and communication equipment workers, all other
- 4.9% about as fast as the average
- 26,600 number of jobs
- $70,980 potential earnings
- Film and video editors
- 21.6% much faster than the average
- 38,300 number of jobs
- $67,250 potential earnings
- Set and exhibit designers
- 1.2% slower than the average
- 15,200 number of jobs
- $58,180 potential earnings
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
Admission Requirements
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.
- First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework.
- First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program.
- Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.
- Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
- ARTH 22006: ART HISTORY: ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL ART (KFA)
- ARTH 22007: ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA)
- THEA 11100: MAKING THEATRE: CULTURE AND PRACTICE
- THEA 11521: GRAPHICS FOR THE THEATRE
- THEA 11725: FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
- THEA 14092: BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS INTRODUCTORY PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) (taken two times)
- THEA 21522: LIGHTING DESIGN
- THEA 21524: COSTUME DESIGN
- THEA 21528: SOUND AND PROJECTION DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
- THEA 21622: SCENE DESIGN
- THEA 21736: STAGE MANAGEMENT
- THEA 31030: GLOBAL THEATRE HISTORIES
- THEA 32000: BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS PORTFOLIO REVIEW (taken three times)
- THEA 34092: BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS ADVANCED PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) (taken six times)
- THEA 41115: LGBTQ THEATRE (DIVD)
- THEA 41130: THEATRE AND DRAMA IN AMERICA
- THEA 41140: AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY (WIC)
- THEA 41306: PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
- THEA 41736: PRODUCTION AND STAGE MANAGEMENT
- THEA 41999: CAPSTONE PROJECT (ELR)
- THEA 42062: PRESENTATION MEDIA
- Theatre Design and Technology Electives, choose from the following:
- THEA 21523: COSTUME TECHNOLOGY
- THEA 21621: SCENE PAINTING
- THEA 31526: FLAT PATTERNING FOR THEATRE
- THEA 41095: SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE
- THEA 41140: AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY (WIC)
- THEA 41521: ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY I
- THEA 41522: DESIGN STUDIO: LIGHTING
- THEA 41523: SOUND DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY I
- THEA 41524: DESIGN STUDIO: COSTUME
- THEA 41525: PROPS AND CRAFTS
- THEA 41526: ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY II
- THEA 41528: THEATRE SOUND REINFORCEMENT
- THEA 41540: DRAPING FOR THE THEATRE I
- THEA 41560: THEATRE FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY
- THEA 41622: DESIGN STUDIO: SCENERY
- THEA 41625: HISTORY OF COSTUME AND TEXTILES FOR THEATRE
- THEA 41726: THEATRE MANAGEMENT
Additional Requirements
- UC 10001: FLASHES 101
- Kent Core Composition
- Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning
- Kent Core Humanities
- Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)
- Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)
- Kent Core Additional
Progression Requirements
- In order to continue and graduate with the B.F.A. degree, students are expected develop skills equal to entry-level positions in the profession or as expected for admission into a M.F.A. degree program.
- Students on academic probation may not participate in any School of Theatre and Dance productions.
- Students may be immediately dismissed from the program for failure to maintain a minimum 2.500 major GPA. B.F.A. degree students should strive to maintain a 3.000 overall GPA.
- Students must pass yearly portfolio reviews and are expected to participate in at least one mainstage production per semester (this may be in addition to any production design assignment).
Graduation Requirements
- Minimum Major GPA: 2.500
- Minimum Overall GPA: 2.000
Roadmap
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
University Requirements
All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.
- Flashes 101 (UC 10001)
- Diversity Domestic/Global (DIVD/DIVG)
- Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR)
- Kent Core (see table below)
- Writing-Intensive Course (WIC)
- Upper-Division Requirement
- Total Credit Hour Requirement: 120 credit hours
Kent Core Requirements
- Kent Core Composition (KCMP)
- Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR)
- Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA) (min one course each)
- Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS) (must be from two disciplines)
- Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB) (must include one laboratory)
- Kent Core Additional (KADL)
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Articulate basic elements and principles of design theory and composition.
- Produce and communicate design ideas and accurate production models, paperwork and drawings by hand and/or through the use of current industry standard software programs.
- Describe the full process of design and production for a finished production, including the roles that various personnel play in the mounting of a finished production.
- Articulate and use best practices and industry standards related to safety for theatrical venues and production elements.
- Prepare and present a professional resume and a portfolio of design/production work that demonstrate one's cumulative accomplishments.
- Recognize and evaluate a diverse selection of contemporary and historical theatre repertory.
- Apply theories to and perform technical skills in a variety of realized stage productions.
Program Policies
Physical Activity and ROTC Courses
No more than 4 credit hours of Physical Activity, Wellness and Sport (PWS) courses or the first 16 credit hours of ROTC courses—Aerospace Studies (ASTU) and Military Studies (MSCI)—may apply to the 120 credit hours required for graduation.
Requirement Audit
Upon completion of 60 credit hours, each student is required to contact the College of the Arts Advising office to obtain a current evaluation of progress toward completion of the student’s chosen degree program. Requirement evaluations are not a substitute for meeting with a faculty advisor. Students may access GPS (Graduation Planning System) audit through their FlashLine account which provides them with information about their academic progress. Questions about GPS audits are answered in the College of the Arts Advising office.
Full Description
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Design, Technology and Production fosters the artistic development of theatre designers, technicians and artisans. Students study both traditional theatre practices and new methods, materials and technologies. Students must demonstrate continued progress through annual portfolio reviews, course work and production responsibilities. In addition, students are expected to complete a significant production assignment each semester.
In the major, students apply design and technology concepts for the school’s theatrical and dance productions. Kent State’s Center for the Performing Arts houses three theatres, performance and rehearsal space, a scene shop, a costume shop and laboratories for costumes, drafting, lighting and scenery. In addition, the School of Theatre and Dance oversees the outdoor venue Porthouse Theatre.
The B.F.A. degree program prepares students for M.F.A. degree study, as well as such occupations as scenic designer, costume designer, lighting designer, sound/projection designer, prop master, scenic artist, stage manager, production manager, wardrobe supervisor, technical director and stage technicians.
Why Kent State University
Why the School of Theatre and Dance
Learn more about the School of Theatre and Dance.
Design Innovation
Design Innovation at Kent State is a dynamic continuum of spaces and events for students, faculty and staff to team up, interact and create in exciting, new ways.
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