Program Overview

Major in Theatre, Projection Design and Technology Concentration

The B.A. in Theatre, Projection Design and Technology Concentration, allows students to express their creativity and artistry as they learn how to be projection designers, video engineers, and video mixers for stage, television, live productions, and film. In addition to coursework in projection design, students are required to explore other design fields/concentrations (such as sound design, lighting design, costume design, or set design) to better understand the collaborative effort of creating a world onstage. Students also take practicum classes where they put the skills learned in design courses to use, working on departmental productions and/or live events design teams.

Concentration-Level Learning Objectives

In addition to four B.A. in Theatre Learning Objectives, the Projection Design and Technology Concentration includes the following unique learning objectives:

1. PROJECTION DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY FOR THEATRE, FILM, and INDUSTRY: Explore the specific techniques that projection designers use to develop and communicate their ideas through research, synthesis of skills including drafting, computerized/virtual reality pre-visualization, content creation, video programming, and application of emerging technologies with a robust understanding of how the projection designer supports, collaborates, and interacts with the creative team.
2. DESIGN ARTISTRY: Develop an understanding of the Projection Designer as a collaborative artist, creative visionary, and technician, by practicing organizational, design, and technical skills to realize a show from concept to production and building a portfolio of creative design and/or technical work.

Career Opportunities

Projection design and technology offers students several ways to express their creativity and artistry:

• Projection designers for theatre, musicals, live events, opera, or dance
• Video engineers for stage, television, and film
• Video mixers for stage, dance, live productions, television, and film

Admission Criteria

In addition to applying to CSU through the Office of Admissions, a successful interview with CSU Theatre faculty is required to enter the Theatre Design and Technology Concentrations.

Program Requirements

The program requires a total of 120 credits, including:

• Freshman: 28 credits
  • CO 150: College Composition (GT-CO2)
  • TH 140: Text Analysis
  • TH 160: Drawing for Theatre
  • TH 161: Stagecraft
  • TH 186: Theatre Practicum I--Crew Assignment
  • TH 192: First Year Seminar--Telling Your Story
  • Select two courses from the following: ART 100, D 110, MU 100
• Sophomore: 30 credits
  • TH 242: World Theatre History I
  • TH 243: World Theatre History II
  • TH 260: Computer Assisted Drafting for Theatre
  • TH 264: Lighting Design I
  • TH 268: Projection Design I
  • TH 286: Theatre Practicum II--Shop Assignment
  • Select one of the following: TH 386A, TH 386B
  • Biological and Physical Sciences
  • Historical Perspectives
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Junior: 31 credits
  • TH 368: Projection Design II
  • TH 386C: Theatre Practicum III: Assistant Designer Applied
  • TH 460: Design Portfolio and Professional Preparation
  • Select one course from the following: TH 262, TH 265
  • Select one course from the following: TH 301A, TH 301B, TH 301C
  • Select one of the following: TH 486A, TH 486B
  • Advanced Writing
  • Upper-Division Electives
• Senior: 31 credits
  • TH 364: Lighting Design II
  • TH 486C: Theatre Practicum IV: Lead Designer--Applied
  • Select one course from the following: TH 344, TH 345, TH 382A, TH 479, TH 487
  • Select one course from the following: TH 362, TH 365, TH 371
  • Select one course from the following: TH 401A, TH 401B, TH 401C
  • Upper-Division Electives

Major Completion Map

The major completion map outlines the required courses for each semester:

• Semester 1: CO 150, TH 161, TH 186, TH 192, select one course from ART 100, D 110, MU 100
• Semester 2: TH 140, TH 160, select one course from ART 100, D 110, MU 100, 1B, 1C
• Semester 3: TH 242, TH 260, TH 264, TH 268, TH 286, Historical Perspectives
• Semester 4: TH 243, select one of TH 386A, TH 386B, Biological and Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Semester 5: TH 386C, select one course from TH 262, TH 265, select one of TH 301A, TH 301B, TH 301C, Advanced Writing, Upper-Division Electives
• Semester 6: TH 368, TH 460, select one of TH 486A, TH 486B, Upper-Division Electives
• Semester 7: TH 486C, select one course from TH 362, TH 365, TH 371, select one of TH 401A, TH 401B, TH 401C, Upper-Division Electives
• Semester 8: TH 364, select one course from TH 344, TH 345, TH 382A, TH 479, TH 487, Upper-Division Electives

The program requires a total of 120 credits, with at least 42 upper-division credits. Concentration-specific courses may not double-count in multiple Theatre concentrations.