Program Overview

Program Overview

The master's program B𢞴nenbild_Szenischer Raum aims to equip students with practical knowledge and skills for a career in stage design and scenography, while strengthening their own distinct artistic and creative development. The dual nature of the program brings together two approaches regarding the dramaturgical design of space: the design of stages for theater, music theater, and dance, and scenographic design for exhibitions, installations, and performance.

Admission Requirements

The formal admission requirements for the master's program are a first degree qualifying for professional employment (e.g., bachelor's, Diplom, or Magister) in architecture, interior design, product design, fine art, theater, stage design, costume design, theater and cultural studies, stage direction, cultural management, visual communication, or other closely related areas, as well as one year's practical experience in a related area in a non-university context gained after completion of this first degree.

• The program is primarily taught in German, although a number of workshops are offered in English.
• Good knowledge of German is therefore a further requirement.
• Applicants may be admitted with a level of B2 / TestDAF 12-16 points (or equivalent) provided they continue to take German courses to improve their level throughout the program and provide proof of their progress.

Applicants to the master's program are required to demonstrate particular artistic ability. Please submit a portfolio with details and examples of:

• Project work in areas such as architecture, stage, scenography, interior spaces, object design, costume, performance, visual and fine arts
• Freelance artistic work in the form of picture stories, dramaturgical concepts, photographs, collages, sketches, drawings
• Any experience gained in productions, as an assistant, or on internships

A brief project description with title/concept and area of work would be helpful.

Program Structure

The master's degree is a full-time four-semester program. The core hours of attendance for the program are 10:00 until 18:00, although excursions and visits to theaters and exhibitions may also take place outside these hours. Sufficient advance notice is provided for intensive weekend seminars.

Content and Modules

The curriculum is made up of modules encompassing the following areas:

• Theory: The initial two semesters are taught in lectures and seminars focusing on the fundamentals of typology of stage design/scenography, analysis of theater/exhibitions, theater classifications, direction/dramaturgy, theater history/music and opera history, costume history, spatial theory, musical dramaturgy, costume, communication in space.
• Stage Design and Scenography Projects: Students work in small groups on two projects per semester. Choosing between stage design and scenographic design (exhibitions, events, performance), students mainly work in realization and collaboration projects.
• Techniques/Presentations: The following areas are taught in project-integrated seminars, lectures, and workshops: stage and lighting engineering and design, medial production, drawing, visualization, presentation techniques, makeup, interactive exhibits.
• Practice: Excursions, two internships, elective subjects.

Internships

Students are required to complete two self-organized internships or two self-initiated independent projects lasting a minimum of six weeks.

Stays Abroad

No stay abroad is planned for the program.

Acquired Skills

The program teaches students strategies of dramaturgical spatial design as well as their methodological and technical implementation in competitions and projects, working in close cooperation with external partners from theaters, museums, businesses, and public institutions. Students acquire the ability to independently design the artistic and scenographical representation of a text, libretto, or theme for theater, exhibitions, or other similar events, as well as to oversee the practical realization of their design.

After Your Studies

The continuous re-structuring of the theater landscape and an increasing interest in interdisciplinary and performative formats as well as the growing variety of temporary exhibitions, performances, and events, including in business/brand communication, are creating evermore professional openings for graduates of this master's program. As a flexible, interdisciplinary designer, graduates will be able to undertake freelance project work as a stage designer or scenographer, working in theaters, exhibitions, installations, performance, and festivals, in both closed artificial spaces and urban spaces.

Degree Details

• Degree: Master of Arts
• Standard period of study: 4 semesters
• Credit points: 120
• Program start: Winter semester
• Admission: Restricted admission
• Language of instruction: German
• Tuition fees: Details of current fees can be found on the degree program website.