Program Overview

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Introduction to the MFA Scenic Design Program

The MFA Scenic Design Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is a challenging yet rewarding program intended to prepare MFA candidates for a career in the professional world of Theatrical Design. The program focuses on dramaturgical research and conceptual investigation, with the goal of developing superlative design that lies less with impressive visuals and more with interesting and unique interpretations of the plays.

Program Overview

The MFA Design Program at UTK recruits students for enrollment in the Fall of even numbered years. The program is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the source material and all its implications before proceeding three-dimensionally.

Conceptual Exploration

The program emphasizes conceptual exploration, with a large portion of the training focused on dramaturgical research and conceptual investigation. Students must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the source material and all its implications before proceeding three-dimensionally.

Student Work

The program showcases student work, including scenic designs by Elizabeth Stadstad, Katherine Stepanek, Jelena Andzic, Nevena Prodanovic, Carrie Ferrelli, Jason Ammons, and Becca Johnson.

Student Awards

The program highlights student awards, including SETC Graduate Scenic Design Awards, USITT Young Designers Forum, and NDPR National Design Portfolio Review.

2010s

• 2025: SETC Graduate Scenic Design Awards, 1st Place: Scenic Design Competition: Alondra Castro, How To Defend Yourself, 3rd Place: Scenic Design Competition: Leilane Bertunes, Failure: A Love Story
• 2018: SETC Graduate Scenic Design Awards, First Place – Katie Stepanek – Detroit ’67, Second Place – Jelena Andzic – King Charles III, Third Place – Becca Johnson – Alias Grace, Honorable Mention – Carrie Ferrelli – The Real Inspector Hound
• 2017: World Stage Conference Design Competition – Taipei, Taiwan, First Place – Josafath Reynoso – Best Scenic Design for an emerging designer
• 2016: SETC Graduate Scenic Design Awards, Third Place – Henry Wilkinson – A Lesson Before Dying, Honorable Mention – Nevena Prodanovic – 39 Steps
• 2015: USITT Rose Brand Scenic Design Award (Best Graduate Scenic Design), Winner – Josafath Reynoso – Henry V
• 2014: SETC Graduate Scenic Design Awards, First Place – Josafath Reynoso – The Hairy Ape, Third Place – Jason Ammons – The Whipping Man
• 2013: SETC Ready to Work Award (realized show at a professional theatre), First Place – Libby Stadstad – Design contract at Charlotte Children’s Theatre, NC
• 2012: SETC Graduate Scenic Design Awards, First Place – Libby Stadstad – Les Liaisons Dangereuses
• 2011: SETC Ready to Work Award (realized show at a professional theatre), First Place – Kerry Chipman – Design contract at Charlotte Children’s Theatre, NC
• 2010: SETC Graduate Scenic Design Awards, First Place – Kerry Chipman – Othello, Third Place – Mary Pingree – Oedipus

2000s

• 2009: SETC Graduate Scenic Design Awards, First Place – Mary Pingree – The Secret Rapture, Third Place – Nate Sinnott – The Triumph of Love
• 2008: SETC Graduate Scenic Design Awards, First Place – Nate Sinnott – Richard III, Third Place – Morgan Matens – Las Meninas
• 2007: SETC Graduate Scenic Design Awards, First Place – Nate Sinnott – Richard III, Third Place – Morgan Matens – Las Meninas

How to Apply for Your MFA in Scenic Design

To apply for the MFA in Scenic Design program, students must follow these steps:

1. Inform the Head of Scenic Design, Kristen Martino, by email of your interest in applying to the program. An interview and portfolio review will be scheduled.
2. Complete the Graduate School Application and pay the $60 application fee.
3. Upload/Enter the following materials into the Graduate School Application:

• Unofficial transcripts of all prior Undergraduate and Graduate coursework and degree confirmations
• A professional resume
• A brief essay (2 pages maximum) about your commitment to a life in art, your interest in training, and your creative and career interests
• Two letters of recommendation

4. An interview/portfolio review is required.

Funding

All MFA in Theatre candidates at UTK receive exceptional financial support, including:

• Full tuition waivers
• Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) stipends throughout their training
• Up to $1,500 annual travel funding as approved by the faculty
• Total average support over three years: more than $161,000.00

Resources

Important MFA Links:

• Director of Graduate Studies: Dr. Gina Di Salvo
• University of Tennessee Graduate School
• Accessibility
• Professional Organizations
• External Project Authorization Form

Sample Curriculum

The following is a typical 3-year study program:

SEMESTER 1:

• Theatre 464 CAD for Theater (3)
• Theatre 501 Intro to Graduate Studies (3)
• Theatre 503 Elements of Design for the Theatre (3)
• Theatre 551 Model Making (3)
• Theatre 553 Projects in Scenic Design (0-1)
• Theatre 580 Design Seminar (3)

SEMESTER 2:

• Theatre 455 Scene Painting (3)
• Theatre 475 Projection and Media Design (3)
• Theatre 492 Off-Campus Study (1)
• Theatre 553 Projects in Scenic Design (0-1)
• Theatre 557 Period Styles for the Theatre (3)
• Theatre 580 Design Seminar (3)

SEMESTER 3:

• Theatre 553 Projects in Scenic Design (0-1)
• Theatre 558, Design Presentation Skills for the Theatre (3)
• Theatre 580 Design Seminar (3)
• Theatre 584 Photography for the Theatre (3)
• Theatre 587 Computer Aided Rendering for the Theatre (3)

SEMESTER 4:

• Theatre 491 Foreign Study (1)
• Theatre 510 Theatre History (3)
• Theatre 553 Projects in Scenic Design (0-1)
• Theatre 558, Design Presentation Skills for the Theatre (3)
• Theatre 580 Design Seminar (3)
• Theatre 588 Digital Portfolio (3)

SEMESTER 5:

• Theatre 553 Projects in Scenic Design (0-1)
• Theatre 557 Period Styles (3)
• Theatre 558, Design Presentation Skills for the Theatre (3)
• Theatre 599 Project in Lieu of Thesis (6)

SEMESTER 6:

• Theatre 553 Projects in Scenic Design (0-1)
• Theatre 558, Design Presentation Skills for the Theatre (3)
• Theatre 557 Period Styles for the Theatre (3)
• Theatre 599 Project in Lieu of Thesis (3)

Equipment Requirements

All Graduate Students in the MFA Theatre Design Program are required to have a computer, software, and other equipment, prior to their use in programmatic classes.

FAQs

• How many shows will I design? Most MFA Scenic Design students will design 3–5 realized productions during their time at UTK.
• How many total design students are in the program? There are a maximum of 16 students: 4 in Costume Design, 4 in Lighting Design, 4 in Scenic Design, and 4 in Sound and Digital Media.
• How many design students are on assistantship? All design students are on assistantships.
• What does the assistantship cover? It covers full remission of tuition, an annual stipend of about $26,000.00, and up to $1,500.00 annual travel funding as approved by the faculty.
• What kind of expenses will I incur in this program? Books, passport, computer supplies, and any travel costs that exceed $1,500.00 per year.
• Does the university provide health insurance? Yes.
• How many theatres does the university have? Three: The Clarence Brown Theatre, a 550-seat proscenium theatre; The Jenny Boyd Theatre, a 300-seat flexible courtyard style theatre; and The Lab Theatre, a 100-seat thrust theatre.
• Do the design professors work professionally? Yes, our faculty designers are nationally and internationally recognized for their work at theatres such as the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, The Denver Center Theatre, among others.
• What other graduate degree programs are offered? We offer an MFA in Theatre, with concentrations in Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Costume Design, Sound and Media Design, and Acting.
• Will I need to get a passport? Definitely.