Program Overview

Performance Production & Design Program

The SCA Performance Production & Design BFA provides students with a toolkit of skills and a sandbox of studio spaces, allowing them to discover what kind of artist, designer, producer, and maker they want to become. Upon graduation, students will have a demonstrated portfolio of work and highly transferable skills, enabling them to work across multiple artistic fields and industries.

Program Description

The program creates an encouraging hands-on environment that responds to the interests of its students and the research of its practicing artist-instructors. Students will build a strong foundation in the conceptual, technical, and critical abilities for potential careers or further studies in live performance and beyond. The coursework includes technical direction, producing, drawing, projection design, sound design, set design, lighting design, design-led creation, immersive environments, installation, production management, puppetry/toy theatre, moving-image making, drafting, building, and more.

Program Outcomes

At the end of this four-year program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate their artistic interests, strengths, and creative work.
• Evaluate their artistic work and growth.
• Apply creative, problem-solving, and technical skills.
• Collaborate with others in a responsible and thoughtful way.
• Develop processes based on what each project needs.
• Think deeply and creatively about art, ideas, and creative practices.

What Kind of Students Are We Looking For?

The program is looking for students who think creatively and can find solutions to problems, who are open to new ideas, and who work well with others. The program is committed to helping students grow as artists and learn technical skills, and expects students to be just as committed to their own growth.

Career Opportunities

A degree in Performance Production & Design can lead to a wide range of exciting careers, including:

• Creative and conceptual design careers:
  • Production designer/art director
  • Scenic designer
  • Lighting designer
  • Sound designer
  • Projection and media designer
  • Costume designer
• Technical and craft-based roles:
  • Props master/artisan
  • Scenic carpenter
  • Scenic painter/charge artist
  • Video systems engineer
  • Media server programmer
  • Audio systems technician
  • Lighting technician
  • Automation technician
  • Fabrication and rapid prototyping specialist
• Management and leadership roles:
  • Production manager
  • Technical director
  • Stage manager/show caller
  • Tour/road manager
  • Venue technician/house crew
• New and interdisciplinary fields:
  • Live event/experience designer
  • Exhibition/museum designer
  • Themed entertainment designer
  • XR/immersive technologist
  • Community arts facilitator/teaching artist
  • Creative producer
  • Arts technician for events, cruise lines, or corporate shows

Program FAQs

Q: What careers can I pursue with a Production & Design degree? A: A degree in Performance Production & Design can lead to a wide range of careers in creative and technical fields.

Q: What industries can this degree lead to? A: The degree can lead to careers in theatre and performing arts, dance and contemporary performance, live music and touring concerts, events and corporate productions, film, television, and streaming, museums, galleries, and exhibitions, themed entertainment and attractions, cruise ships and travel-based entertainment, immersive technology and experience design, equipment rental, AV, and venue operations, arts education and community engagement, and independent practice and self-employment.

Q: How is your program different from typical production and design programs? A: The program is within an interdisciplinary environment, focusing on contemporary and new work creation, innovation, and hands-on making.

Q: Do you teach stage management? A: The program does not offer courses on stage management specifically, but teaches many of the same organizational and technical skills that a professional stage manager would need to know.

Q: How much time can I expect to work with my professors? A: The program has a small year-level cohort, and students can expect to have major production assignments both in class and as part of school-wide shows, with at least one faculty mentor guiding and providing detailed feedback throughout each project.

Q: Will I get to work on real productions at the school? A: Yes, students will participate in a range of events and performances, including theatre shows, dance performances, collaborations between different art forms, graduate student final projects, installations, concerts, films, festivals, ongoing productions, and performances that are completely created and organized by production and design students.

Q: What kind of systems and technology will I get a chance to learn about? A: Students will work with current theatre technologies, including lighting systems, video and projection systems, sound systems, and software such as Isadora, Qlab, and TouchDesigner.

Q: Do I have to perform in this program? A: While not required, students are encouraged to develop their own artistic practice and have a playful curiosity to "jump in" themselves, as there is a great learning opportunity in experiencing what it's like to be "inside" a performance.

Q: How important is English language proficiency for this program? A: English language proficiency is important, as students will be working in environments that can sometimes be dangerous and require strong communication skills.

Q: I've never worked on a theatre play or show before. Will this hurt my application? A: No, the program is looking for students who are curious, creative, and genuinely interested in this field, and who are willing to learn and try new things.