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Theatre Design, Technology and Production - B.F.A.

Bring your theatre production dreams to life!

With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, this program prepares you for a career in theatre production. Access industry-standard tools, experienced faculty and real-world opportunities. Enroll now and take the first step towards a career in theatre production.

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College of the Arts
School of Theatre and Dance - Theatre Division
www.kent.edu/theatredance

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"Kent State gave me the strong foundation to help me succeed in making my career goals a reality. What I value most from my time as a student are the strong relationships I built with my mentors and peers. This network continues to be a positive resource long after graduation."

– Kristine Haag, B.F.A., Design and Technology '03

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design, Technology and Productions - B.F.A.

The Design and Technology program prepares students for careers as professional theatre designers, technicians and artisans. Students receive training in traditional and new methods of theatrical design and technology, graduating as dynamic and creative theatre practitioners. The opportunity for intensive specialization is available to all students pursuing the Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Theatre Design Technology and Production. The Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Theatre Design Technology and Production seeks to develop individuals who are flexible, dynamic, and creative collaborators in the theatre arts. 

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Program Information for Theatre Design, Technology and Production - B.F.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Design, Technology and Production fosters the artistic development of theatre designers, technicians and artisans. Students study both traditional theatre practices and new methods, materials and technologies. Students must demonstrate continued progress through annual portfolio reviews, course work and production responsibilities. In addition, students are expected to complete a significant production assignment each semester.

Students will be able to apply design and technology concepts for the school’s theatrical and dance productions. Kent State’s Center for the Performing Arts houses three theatres, performance and rehearsal space, a scene shop, a costume shop and laboratories for costumes, drafting, lighting and scenery. In addition, the School of Theatre and Dance oversees the outdoor venue Porthouse Theatre.

The B.F.A. degree program prepares students for M.F.A. degree study, as well as such occupations as scenic designer, costume designer, lighting designer, sound/projection designer, prop master, scenic artist, stage manager, production manager, wardrobe supervisor, technical director and stage technicians.

Admissions for Theatre Design, Technology and Production - B.F.A.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate ability to conceptualize and realize a design aesthetic consistent with the overall artistic concepts of a production.
  2. Demonstrate ability to understand and articulate basic elements and principles of design theory.
  3. Demonstrate ability to understand and articulate basic elements and principles of composition related to line, shape, color, texture and sound.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the aesthetic use of color.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of aesthetic use of sound.
  6. Demonstrate ability to communicate design ideas and realities to other personnel involved in the production, including directors, other designers, stage managers and actors.
  7. Demonstrate ability to produce and communicate design ideas with freehand drawings.
  8. Demonstrate ability to provide formalized, accurate production models and drawings by hand and/or through the use of current industry standard software programs.
  9. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the total design process, including the progression of raw materials through multiple design "shops" and the roles that various craftspeople play in the creation of a finished product.
  10. Acquire knowledge of federal, state and local health and safety codes, best practices and industry standards as they relate to theatrical venues and production elements.
  11. Prepare and present a professional resume and a portfolio of design- and technology-related work that demonstrate one's abilities, strengths, processes and experiences.
  12. Acquire experiences in the design/technology aspects of theatre in a variety of formal and informal settings.
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
ARTH 22006ART HISTORY: ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL ART (KFA) 3
ARTH 22007ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA) 3
THEA 11100MAKING THEATRE: CULTURE AND PRACTICE 2
THEA 11521GRAPHICS FOR THE THEATRE 3
THEA 11722FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION I: SCENERY, STAGECRAFT AND SOUND 2
THEA 11723FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY I: SCENERY 1
THEA 11724FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY II: PROPS AND SCENIC ART 1
THEA 11732FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION II: COSTUMES, LIGHTING AND PROJECTIONS 2
THEA 11733FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY III: COSTUMES 1
THEA 11734FUNDAMENTALS OF PRODUCTION LABORATORY IV: LIGHTING, SOUND AND PROJECTIONS 1
THEA 13092BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS FRESHMAN PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) (taken twice)2
THEA 21111SCRIPT ANALYSIS 3
THEA 21501SOPHOMORE PORTFOLIO REVIEW 1
THEA 21521THEATRICAL DRAFTING 3
or THEA 21526 BASIC COSTUME CONSTRUCTION
THEA 23092BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS SOPHOMORE PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) (taken twice)2
THEA 31110HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA I 3
THEA 31111HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA II 3
THEA 31401DIRECTING 3
or THEA 41734 COSTUME PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
or THEA 41736 PRODUCTION AND STAGE MANAGEMENT
THEA 31501JUNIOR PORTFOLIO REVIEW 1
THEA 33092BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS JUNIOR PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) (taken twice)4
THEA 41140AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY (WIC) 13
or THEA 41620 HISTORY OF PERIOD STYLES FOR THEATRE DESIGNERS (WIC)
THEA 41306PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY 3
THEA 41501SENIOR PORTFOLIO REVIEW 1
THEA 41621PRESENTATION MEDIA 3
THEA 41999CAPSTONE PROJECT (ELR) 1-3
THEA 43092BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS SENIOR PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) (taken twice)4
Theatre Design Electives, choose from the following:6
THEA 21522
LIGHTING DESIGN
THEA 21524
COSTUME DESIGN
THEA 21528
SOUND AND PROJECTION DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
THEA 21622
SCENE DESIGN
THEA 21736
STAGE MANAGEMENT
THEA 41522
DESIGN STUDIO: LIGHTING
THEA 41524
DESIGN STUDIO: COSTUME
THEA 41622
DESIGN STUDIO: SCENERY
THEA 41625
HISTORY OF COSTUME AND TEXTILES FOR THEATRE
THEA 41726
THEATRE MANAGEMENT
Theatre Design Upper-Division Electives, choose from the following:9
THEA 41522
DESIGN STUDIO: LIGHTING
THEA 41524
DESIGN STUDIO: COSTUME
THEA 41622
DESIGN STUDIO: SCENERY
THEA 41625
HISTORY OF COSTUME AND TEXTILES FOR THEATRE
THEA 41726
THEATRE MANAGEMENT
Theatre Technology Electives, choose from the following:9
THEA 21016
MAKEUP FOR STAGE AND SCREEN
THEA 21523
COSTUME TECHNOLOGY
THEA 21621
SCENE PAINTING
THEA 31526
FLAT PATTERNING FOR THEATRE
THEA 41420
THEATRICAL DRAFTING II
THEA 41430
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION THEORY
THEA 41440
SHOP MANAGEMENT
THEA 41521
ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY I
THEA 41523
SOUND DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY I
THEA 41525
PROPS AND CRAFTS
THEA 41526
ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY II
THEA 41527
SOUND DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY II
THEA 41528
THEATRE SOUND REINFORCEMENT
THEA 41529
ADVANCED WIG AND MAKEUP TECHNIQUES-STAGE AND SCREEN
THEA 41531
THEATRICAL RIGGING
THEA 41540
DRAPING FOR THE THEATRE I
THEA 41560
THEATRE FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY
Theatre Technology Upper-Division Electives, choose from the following:6
THEA 31526
FLAT PATTERNING FOR THEATRE
THEA 41420
THEATRICAL DRAFTING II
THEA 41430
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION THEORY
THEA 41440
SHOP MANAGEMENT
THEA 41521
ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY I
THEA 41523
SOUND DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY I
THEA 41525
PROPS AND CRAFTS
THEA 41526
ADVANCED LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY II
THEA 41527
SOUND DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY II
THEA 41528
THEATRE SOUND REINFORCEMENT
THEA 41529
ADVANCED WIG AND MAKEUP TECHNIQUES-STAGE AND SCREEN
THEA 41531
THEATRICAL RIGGING
THEA 41540
DRAPING FOR THE THEATRE I
THEA 41560
THEATRE FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities3
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Progression Requirements

  • In order to continue and graduate with the B.F.A. degree, students are expected develop skills equal to entry-level positions in the profession or as expected for admission into a M.F.A. degree program.
  • Students on academic probation may not participate in any School of Theatre and Dance productions.
  • Students may be immediately dismissed from the program for failure to maintain a minimum 2.500 major GPA. B.F.A. degree students should strive to maintain a 3.000 overall GPA.
  • Students must pass yearly portfolio reviews and are expected to participate in at least one mainstage production per semester (this may be in addition to any production design assignment).

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.500 2.000
Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
THEA 11100 MAKING THEATRE: CULTURE AND PRACTICE 2
THEA 11521 GRAPHICS FOR THE THEATRE 3
THEA 13092 BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS FRESHMAN PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 1
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Fundamentals of Production 2
Fundamentals of Production Laboratories 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
THEA 13092 BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS FRESHMAN PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 1
THEA 21111 SCRIPT ANALYSIS 3
THEA 21521
or THEA 21526
THEATRICAL DRAFTING
or BASIC COSTUME CONSTRUCTION
3
Fundamentals of Production 2
Fundamentals of Production Laboratories 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Three
ARTH 22007 ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA) 3
!THEA 23092 BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS SOPHOMORE PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 1
Theatre Design Elective 3
Theatre Technology Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Four
ARTH 22006 ART HISTORY: ANCIENT TO MEDIEVAL ART (KFA) 3
!THEA 21501 SOPHOMORE PORTFOLIO REVIEW 1
THEA 23092 BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS SOPHOMORE PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 1
Theatre Technology Electives 6
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Five
!THEA 31110 HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA I 3
THEA 33092 BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS JUNIOR PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 2
THEA 41621 PRESENTATION MEDIA 3
Theatre Technology Upper-Division Electives 6
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Six
!THEA 31111 HISTORY OF THEATRE AND DRAMA II 3
!THEA 31501 JUNIOR PORTFOLIO REVIEW 1
THEA 33092 BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS JUNIOR PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 2
THEA 41140
or THEA 41620
AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY (WIC)
or HISTORY OF PERIOD STYLES FOR THEATRE DESIGNERS (WIC)
3
!THEA 41306 PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
THEA 31401
or THEA 41734
or THEA 41736
DIRECTING
or COSTUME PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
or PRODUCTION AND STAGE MANAGEMENT
3
THEA 43092 BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS SENIOR PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 2
Theatre Design Elective 3
Theatre Design Upper-Division Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Eight
!THEA 41501 SENIOR PORTFOLIO REVIEW 1
THEA 41999 CAPSTONE PROJECT (ELR) 1-3
THEA 43092 BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS SENIOR PRACTICUM: DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (ELR) 2
Theatre Design Upper-Division Electives 6
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours13
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation for Theatre Design, Technology and Production - B.F.A.

National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

Theatre Design, Technology, and Production Requirements

In addition to 36 credit hours taken in Kent Core requirements, Theatre Design Technology and Production majors can expect to take courses in making theatre, fundamentals of production, theatrical drafting, lighting design, scenic design, costume design, presentation media, sound design, theatre management, history of theatre and drama, and theatre technology. Students are required to participate in at least one Main Stage production every semester, complete practicum classes and maintain a portfolio to be reviewed and approved every academic year.

See requirements for the BFA Design Technology and Production Program

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Theatre Design, Technology and Production - B.F.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Theatre Design Technology and Production can expect to find employment in a wide array of performing arts venues and organizations in the areas of scenic design, lighting design, sound design, technical direction, costume design and stage management following graduation. Many students choose to enroll in graduate programs in a chosen specialty for further intensive study. 

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

5.6%

faster than the average

116,300

number of jobs

$69,690

potential earnings

Lighting technicians and media and communication equipment workers, all other

4.9%

about as fast as the average

26,600

number of jobs

$70,980

potential earnings

Film and video editors

21.6%

much faster than the average

38,300

number of jobs

$67,250

potential earnings

Set and exhibit designers

1.2%

slower than the average

15,200

number of jobs

$58,180

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.