Theatre Design/Tech Degree

Program Overview

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Theatre Design/Tech Degree

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre Design/Tech is a four-year program that prepares students to work professionally in the areas of scenic, lighting, sound, props, and costume design, stage management, scenic construction, and other areas of theatre production.

Program Details

• Program Type: Major
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 4 years
• Credit Hours: 120

Program Description

The emphasis on design & technology prepares students to work professionally in the areas of scenic, lighting, sound, props, and costume design, stage management, scenic construction, and other areas of theatre production.

Requirements

• Core Theatre Courses: Students complete a selection of core theatre courses, encompassing various aspects of theatre.
• Customized Coursework: After completing the core in each concentration, the student's subsequent coursework is customized.
• Laboratory Work: Students gain practical experience in costuming, stagecraft, stage lighting, stage management, and theatrical makeup through laboratory work.

Marketable Skills

• Analytical Knowledge of Historical/Social Context
• Teamwork
• Oral and Written Communication
• Multi-cultural/Diversity Competencies
• Workplace Resourcefulness/Innovation

Theatre Design/Tech Degree Highlights

• Unique Performance Opportunities: Qualified undergraduate students perform lead roles, direct public productions, stage-manage, and design scenery, costumes, lights, make-up, and wigs.
• Faculty Expertise: Faculty members are outstanding teachers as well as active professionals and renowned researchers.
• Facilities: The Department of Dance and Theatre maintains the University Theater (409-seat proscenium theatre) and the Studio Theater (160-seat black box), and the technical facilities to support the annual season.
• Student Organizations: Students are part of two student organizations — the Drama Lab and the Alpha Psi Omega national honor society — that provide performance and networking opportunities.

Career Paths

• Acting (both stage and film)
• Acting Coach
• Artist-in-Residence
• Box Office Manager
• Directing
• Drama Education and Criticism
• Lighting, Costume, Makeup, Props, Scenery, or Sound Design
• Marketing Director
• Producing
• Stage Crew Member
• Stage Managing
• Theatrical Photographer
• Theatre Teacher at an Elementary or Secondary School

Theatre Design/Tech Degree Courses

• Rehearsal and Performance for the Stage (1-3 hrs)
• Advanced Scenic Painting for the Theatre (3 hrs)
• Scenic Design (3 hrs)
• Costume I (3 hrs)
• Theatrical Makeup (3 hrs)
• Design/Tech and The Profession (3 hrs)

Related Programs

• Theatre Technologies Certificate
• Dance Minor
• Music & Performing Arts
• STEM
• College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Department of Dance and Theatre

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The Theatre Design/Tech Degree at the University of North Texas (UNT) is a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the behind-the-scenes aspects of theatre and film production. The program emphasizes design and technology, preparing students for professional careers in areas such as scenic, lighting, sound, props, and costume design, stage management, scenic construction, and other aspects of theatre production.

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Objectives:

The program aims to provide students with:

• Practical experience in costuming, stagecraft, stage lighting, stage management, and theatrical makeup through laboratory work.
• Opportunities to perform lead roles, direct, design, and stage manage productions.
• Training in voice and body usage during performance.
• Knowledge of play preparation for performance.
• Exposure to actors, plays, and playwrights from diverse geographical regions.
• Collaboration with faculty members, guest and student directors, and choreographers on productions.

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Teaching:

• The program boasts a faculty of outstanding teachers who are also active professionals and renowned researchers.
• Faculty includes an Emmy nominee, a noted Edward Albee scholar, and a recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for costume design.
• The program offers two student organizations: the Drama Lab and the Alpha Psi Omega national honor society, providing performance and networking opportunities.
• Facilities include:
• Acting and directing studios
• Rehearsal rooms
• Shops devoted to costume, set, and prop design and construction
• Two full-size performance venues (University Theatre and Studio Theatre)

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Careers:

• Acting (both stage and film)
• Acting coach
• Artist-in-residence
• Directing
• Drama education and criticism
• Lighting, costume, makeup, props, scenery, or sound design
• Marketing director
• Producing
• Stage crew member
• Stage managing
• Theatrical photographer

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Other:

• The Department of Dance and Theatre maintains the University Theater (409-seat proscenium theatre) and the Studio Theater (160-seat black box), along with technical facilities to support the annual season, including a well-equipped costume and scenic shop and adequate storage.
• Studying theatre provides students with a diverse range of communication and organizational skills applicable to various careers.
• Students can combine their degree with studies in journalism or law to pursue careers as theatre critics or entertainment lawyers.
• Students are often offered performance and design opportunities as part of outside professional projects of the faculty and can audition for local theatre groups.
• UNT has several student organizations for students to network and further hone their skills and craft.
• Scholarships are available based on merit and talent.