Important Links and Forms

The Design Technology and Production area maintains a spreadsheet with production assignments for each semester. Students, faculty, and staff can access the document to see updated information about assignments for this semester.

Production Assignment Spreadsheet

1. The BFA Design Technology & Production program requires students to demonstrate potential in all areas of design technology and production through assessment measures beyond academic evaluations. The faculty has the right to dismiss from the program a student who fails to demonstrate potential. 

2. BFA Design Technology & Production candidates must comply with the university attendance policy 3-01.2 (effective Jan. 13, 2014).

3. BFA Design Technology & Production candidates are required to involve at least one signification assignment per semester approved by Design Technology & Production faculty and staff.

4. BFA Design Technology & Production candidates are expected to follow the GPS roadmap for the BFA Design Technology & Production Program unless exceptions are made by either the College or Faculty advisor.

5. If a BFA Design Technology & Production candidate fails a required Design Technology & Production core class, the candidate will automatically be placed on program probation.

6. BFA Design Technology & Production candidates are expected to matriculate in the BFA program by completing program requirements and Kent Core requirements. Failure of any course requires candidates to repeat courses and may interfere with program matriculation, which may result in program probation.

7. BFA Design Technology & Production candidates must successfully complete all course work as determined by the course instructors and as outlined by the course syllabi and maintain a GPA of 2.5 in their major.

8. BFA Design Technology & Production candidates on academic probation may not participate in School of Theatre and Dance productions. Students may be dropped from the program for failure to maintain a 2.5 GPA.

9. BFA Design Technology & Production candidates must demonstrate continuous skill development and growth in ALL areas of the BFA Design Technology,& Production Program. A student may be placed on Program Probation for failure to demonstrate continuous skill development and growth in ALL areas of the BFA Design Technology & Production Program. The members of the Design Technology & Production Faculty will provide the student with written information regarding specific areas and skills in question at the time of a student being placed on probation.

10. Upon completion of 60 semester hours, each student is required to contact the Office of Advising and Academic Services to obtain a current evaluation of progress toward completion of the student’s chosen degree program.

11. BFA Design Technology & Production candidates must participate in the annual BFA evaluation semester portfolio review/interviews meetings.

12. BFA Design Technology & Production candidates who wish to participate in job fairs at SETC, USITT, or similar conferences must share their portfolio with faculty & staff and incorporate feed back before participating in the job fair.

13. BFA Design Technology & Production candidates must demonstrate professional behavior at all times. Professional behavior is defined as behavior that supports the creative process. Any behavior that detracts from the creative process can lead to immediate probation and/or dismissal from the BFA Design Technology & Production program.

14. BFA Design Technology & Production candidates must demonstrate respect for their peers, instructors, and for themselves before, during and after classes, rehearsals, and performances.

15. Should a BFA Design Technology & Production candidate be placed on program probation the Design & Production Faculty will provide a written list of conditions, and an explanation of what constitutes meeting said conditions, as well as a time frame for addressing conditions. Failure to meet conditions in the time frame specified could lead to dismissal from the BFA Design Technology & Production Program.

16. If a BFA Design Technology & Production Candidate is unable to attend class, due to illness then the candidate will be unable to attend shop work calls, rehearsal, tech, or performances. Failure to attend work calls, rehearsals, tech or performances may lead to dismissal from a production.

17. In order to maintain a safe and professional working environment, BFA Design Technology & Production candidates are expected to attend classes, shop work, rehearsals, and performances with a clear, sober and focused mind and body. Students suspected to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs shall be reported to the Student Conduct Board as well as the Kent City Police Department. They are also subject to immediate program probation or dismissal from the program.

18. Failure to meet any requirement set forth in this document will lead to program probation, and/or program dismissal.

19. In extreme circumstances, student are subject to dismissal from the BFA Design Technology & Production program without being placed on program probation.

20. BFA Design Technology & Production students have to review Kent State University Scene Shop General Safety Guidelines. 

1. Since the MFA Design & Technology program requires students to demonstrate his/her profession in each area of Design and Technology through assessment measures beyond academic evaluations, the Design, Technology & Production Faculty of the School of Theatre and Dance has the right to dismiss from the program a student who fails to demonstrate his/her profession to become a competent designer and technologist. This condition will be applied to those who meet academic requirements.
2. MFA Design & Technology candidates must comply with the university attendance policy 3-01.2 (effective Jan. 13, 2018).
3. MFA Design & Technology candidates are required to involve at least two significant assignments per semester approved by Design Technology & Production faculty and staff.
4. MFA Design & Technology candidates are expected to follow the plan of study made by either the area faculty advisor.
5. Only the third year MFA Design & Technology students are allowed to take outside of school classes. It must be proved by the area faculty advisor.
6. If a MFA Design & Technology candidate earns a A grade of C or lower in a required MFA Design & Technology class, the candidate will automatically be placed on program probation.
7. MFA Design & Technology candidates are expected to matriculate in the MFA program by completing program requirements.  Failure of any course requires candidates to repeat courses and may interfere with program matriculation, which may result in program probation.
8. MFA Design & Technology candidates must successfully complete all course work as determined by the course instructors and as outlined by the course syllabi and maintain a GPA of 3.0 in their major.
9. MFA Design & Technology candidates must demonstrate continuous skill development and growth in ALL areas of the MFA Design & Technology Program. A student may be placed on Program Probation for failure to demonstrate continuous skill development and growth in ALL including, but not limited to academic, production, and assistantship areas of the MFA Design & Technology. The members of the Design Technology & Production Faculty will provide the student with written information regarding specific areas and skills in question at the time of a student being placed on probation.
10. MFA Design & Technology candidates must participate in the semester review.
11. MFA Design & Technology candidates who wish to participate in job fairs at SETC, USITT, or similar conferences must share their portfolio with faculty & staff and incorporate feedback before participating in the job fair.
12. MFA Design & Technology candidates must demonstrate professional behavior at all times.  Professional behavior is defined as behavior that supports the creative process.  Any behavior that detracts from the creative process can lead to immediate probation and/or dismissal from the MFA Design & Technology program.
13. MFA Design & Technology candidates must demonstrate respect for their peers, instructors, and for themselves before, during and after classes, rehearsals, and performances.
14. Should a MFA Design & Technology candidate be placed on program probation the Design & Production Faculty will provide a written list of conditions, and an explanation of what constitutes meeting said conditions, as well as a time frame for addressing conditions.  Failure to meet conditions in the time frame specified could lead to dismissal from the MFA Design & Technology Program.
15. If a MFA Design & Technology Candidate is unable to attend class, due to illness then the candidate will be unable to attend shop work calls, rehearsal, tech, or performances.  Failure to attend work calls, rehearsals, tech or performances may lead to dismissal from a production.
16. In order to maintain a safe and professional working environment, MFA Design & Technology candidates are expected to attend classes, shop work, rehearsals, and performances with a clear, sober and focused mind and body.  Students suspected to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs shall be reported to the Student Conduct Board as well as the Kent City Police Department.  They are also subject to immediate program probation or dismissal from the program. 
17. Failure to meet any requirement set forth in this document will lead to program probation, and/or program dismissal.
18. In Students are subject to dismissal from the MFA Design & Technology program without being placed on program probation. 
19. Students are required to remain in residence for the three years to complete the program (excluding, if appropriate, the internship).
20. The topic of each M.F.A. candidate’s culminating project may be proposed by the candidate and based on faculty feedback from yearly portfolio and academic assessments. The culminating project must be approved by the faculty advisor. The student will register for THEA 61310 for the student’s project assignment. The process is then documented in a format appropriate for the project and presented to the faculty advisor.
21. MFA Design & Technology students have to review Kent State University Scene Shop General Safety Guidelines.

Residency Requirement

• Students are required to remain in residence for the three years to complete the program (excluding, if appropriate, the internship).
• At a minimum, design/technology students must complete at least one significant production assignment and work on one other production each semester.
• Students may not undertake any work outside the School of Theatre and Dance without petitioning the appropriate area faculty and receiving written permission prior to interviewing.

Graduation Requirements

• The Design/Technology concentrations are an intensive, three-year, professional training program requiring the completion of 60 hours of graduate credit depending on the area of concentration.
• The culminating project requirements for the Design and Technology concentrations include: documentation, portfolio presentation and an exit interview. Documentation consists of a design analysis, process journal, relevant research and other supporting materials (photos, links to the candidate’s website, etc). The scope of work may include but not necessarily be limited to, evidence of research, drawing and drafting, rendering and associated digital image, video or audio files, which will be presented at an exit interview.
• The topic of each M.F.A. candidate’s culminating project may be proposed by the candidate and based on faculty feedback from yearly portfolio and academic assessments. The culminating project must be approved by the faculty advisor. The student will register for THEA 61310 for the student’s project assignment. The process is then documented in a format appropriate for the project and presented to the faculty advisor.

Download 2019 BFA Design Tech Portfolio Package

Goal of Portfolio

1. Showcase your class and production work from the past year to show the growth and development as a theatre artist.  As well as beginning to curate your portfolio, this is a time for you to show the faculty the portfolio you intend to use for SETC, USITT, or other job interviews.
2. This process is a prerequisite for continuing in the program. 
3. The composition of a review includes a minimum of two advisor members that should include the student’s major academic faculty advisor and supervisors.  It is appropriate for other faculty members to be part of the review if they have worked directly with the student on a production or class. 

Required Materials

• All class work—everything from sketches, research, revisions, and final projects.
• Production work—if you designed or built a special project, include process and final photos.
• Final Updated Production Book- Please talk with your advisor for details.
   
  • Examples:
    • Costume Designer: Bible 
    • Master Electrician: ME Book
    • Lighting Designer: Lighting Book 
    • Stage Management: Prompt Book
       
• Updated Portfolios 
• Bring at least 4 copies of your updated resume and updated cover letter. 
• Evaluation letters from Summer Internship job.

Format 

• Hard copy and Digital

• Display the process for all projects

• Each student will have 15 minutes to present their portfolio, there will be 10 minutes of feedback from the faculty and staff.

• Everything should look cohesive

• Hardcopy Portfolio could include the following items: 

Lighting Area

• Lighting book that includes all of production information such as scenery, costume, final production photos, research of productions, drafting, paper work, budget list, special rental list, rehearsal log, focus plan and renderings if you have one.
• Resumes 
• Cover letter
• Other classwork 

Sound Area

• Drafting, Routing Paperwork, Shop Orders
• Cue sheets, Design Concepts, Sample Cues (audio)
• Resumes 
• Cover letter
• Other classwork

Costume Area

• Renderings
• Construction drawings, process photos, and finished piece photos of pieces you built
• Paperwork (piece lists, garment breakdowns, check-in sheets)
• Resumes 
• Cover letter
• Other classwork

Scenery, Props, and Painting Area

• Drafting package, if you designed or TD’ed show
• Paint elevations and photos of process and finished production pieces
• Prop drawings and photos of process and finished pieces
• Construction drawings, process photos, and finished piece photos of scenic pieces you built.
• Resumes 
• Cover letter
• Other classwork 

Other Information and Requirements 

• There will be a sign-up sheet for each area’s portfolio review.  
• Think of this as a job interview:  dress appropriately; present your stuff with pride, and professional artistic aesthetic.
• BFA DT & P Program candidates are required to work for all theatre division main stage productions and assigned by DT & P Faculty. 
• A student may be placed on Program Probation for failure to demonstrate continuous skill development and growth in ALL areas of the BFA DT & P Program. 
• The members of the DT & P Faculty will provide the student with written information regarding specific areas and skills in question at the time of a student being placed on probation.
• Students are subject to dismissal from the BFA DT & P Program without being placed on program probation. 
• BFA DT & P program candidates are expected to follow the GPS roadmap for the BFA DT & P Program unless exceptions are made by either the College or School advisor.
• If a BFA DT & P Program candidate fails a required DT & P theatre core class, the candidate will automatically be placed on program probation.
• BFA DT & P Program candidates are expected to matriculate in the BFA program by completing program requirements and Kent Core requirements.  Failure of any course requires candidates to repeat courses and may interfere with program matriculation, which may result in program probation.
• BFA DT & P Program candidates must successfully complete all course work as determined by the course instructors and as outlined by the course syllabi and maintain a GPA of 2.5 in their major.
• BFA DT & P Program candidates on academic probation may not participate in School of Theatre and Dance productions. Students may be dropped from the program for failure to maintain a 2.0 GPA.
• Juniors and Seniors should apply for at least 3 summer jobs by the end of Fall semester. 

TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR PORTFOLIO (from URTA)

• Be selective in preparing your presentation. Portfolios should include the best examples of your work and design capabilities, as well as some of your process. 
  • Job Interviewers want to see your skills and abilities in design more than they want to see how well you can set up a nice portfolio. They look for quality, not quantity.
• The portfolio should be organized and neat, but please no scrap booking! Portfolio materials should be clean and presented to their best advantage e.g., matted, mounted, etc. when appropriate
• Your work should speak for itself, but be prepared to answer questions about your process and to explain your design ideas. If asked about a production, assume that the person is familiar with the plots of most classic and current drama. Outline the plot if you have designed an obscure or new play, but only explain as much as is necessary to understand your design idea and/or choices.
• Identify work as a class project or realized production with play title, producer (organization or class), and date.
• Reflect your area of future concentration and interest in the portfolio you present. If you have a produced design, show examples of your process drawings and the development of the project to the finished product on-stage. Document the evolution of a complex technical project through a series of photographs.
• Use photos with accurate color development. Select photos that are not repetitive and show your work clearly. At least one full stage shot of a setting and full figure shots of characters in costume are expected.
• It is a good idea to have examples of non-theater work reflecting your taste and abilities e.g., graphic arts projects; life drawings; or examples of photography. It is not necessary to bring three- dimensional objects, but a well-built set model, costume, property or example of related craft work is acceptable. Photos of three-dimensional work may also be included. 

General Notes 

• Design, Technology, and Production reviews are conducted for all M.F.A. Design, Technology, and Production graduate students. This process is a prerequisite for continuing in the program. 
• These reviews are held at the end of each semester during the final exam period. 
• This is a professional review. Please wear appropriate clothes. 

Goal of Review 

• To evaluate your growth and development as a theatre artist from your classwork and production work. 

Who will be reviewing 

• A review panel consists of at least two advisors, including the student’s faculty advisor in their concentration and assistantship-related advisor. It is appropriate for other faculty members to be part of the review if they have worked directly with the student on a production or in class. 

Probation 

• A student may be placed on Program Probation for failure to demonstrate continuous skill development and growth in ALL areas of the M.F.A. Design, Technology, and Production program. 
• The Design, Technology, and Production faculty members will provide the student with written comments on specific areas and skills to be improved when a student is placed on probation. 

Required materials

• Classwork – Ex. Rendering and Drafting. 
• Updated Resumes and CV – CV is required only for the 2nd year and 3rd year students. 
• Updated production book – Ex. lighting book, costume bible and scenery package. 
• Updated portfolio – Digital and hard copies of portfolios are required for 2nd- and 3rd-year students. 
• Evaluation letters from summer internship jobs. 

Students in the M.F.A. in Design, Technology and Production must seek permission to participate in productions and activities outside of the School of Theatre and Dance. 

Before accepting any production assignment or ongoing activity outside of the School of Theatre and Dance, the following form must be submitted to and approved. In addition, students requesting professional days must also clear dates with their respective instructors.  Professional days, if approved, allow students to miss classes without penalty. 

Professional days comprise activities directly related to the major’s pursuit of professional development and future employment outside of the School of Theatre and Dance. These activities include auditions, interviews, conferences, master classes, and so forth.

If you have questions regarding the permission form and approval process, please contact Dr. Yuko Kurahashi at ykurahas@kent.edu.

Access Permission Form