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Ohio University > Fine Arts > Theater > Academics > Graduate Programs > Graduate MFA Production Design and Technology

Graduate MFA Production Design and Technology

MISSION: Preparing students to understand and work in the professional theater. Our training provides a strong foundation in design and technology and the skills to compete in the professional market. We feel a graduate school needs to combine good training with professional opportunities. To that end, we make a point of pursuing student job placement.

APPLICATION: The School of Theater participates in U/RTA, but candidates are encouraged to apply in the fall and interview on campus. We do not require the GRE but do strongly encourage an on-campus interview for a more in depth look at the program to visit classes and see a production. Information about the graduate school and application forms can be found at www.ohio.edu/graduate/program info/Production DesTech-Info.cfm. Applications are filed on line. Tuition waivers and graduate assistantships are available. We make every effort to meet demonstrated financial need.

TRAINING: The program is structured to allow specialization and to encourage dual area interests. Electives relevant to the student’s primary or secondary areas of interest are encouraged in the Schools of Theatre, Art, Film, Dance and Music. A great deal of emphasis is placed on professional portfolio development. The thesis is the design of a realized production for design majors or project management for technology majors. Presentation of a digital and traditional "exit portfolio" that meets prevailing professional standards is required of all areas. Upon completion, graduates will be employable in today's market and should be able to pass the portfolio review portion of the United Scenic Artists Union exam or gain entry into a significant regional or Broadway studio.

ON CAMPUS OPPORTUNITY: Virtually all productions are designed and produced by our students.We have a graduate population of approximately 75 which includes some 25-30 design and technology students. Classes tend to be small and intense, so students get a lot of individual attention. With two main stages and four lab spaces, most set and costume designers get at least two main stage and several lab theater design experiences. Lighting, sound designers and technical specialists generally get additional production opportunities. Design students are widely sought after for student films and dance productions. Technology majors build portfolio through progressive artisan and management assignments in their area of expertise.

OFF CAMPUS EXPERIENCE: While our program requires a professional internship, we also regularly place students in theater jobs over the summer or during academic breaks. We routinely place students at the Santa Fe Opera, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Glimmerglass Opera, Shakespeare Theater in DC, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Berkshire Theater, Williamstown Theater Festival, Actor's Theater of Louisville, and the Pittsburgh Public Theater.

INTERNSHIPS: Because a requirement for graduation is an internship, we regularly place our students at theatres across the country. Qualified students get the opportunity to do internships in New York and/or Europe. We have placed students in London, Hong Kong, Paris and other international cities. Study abroad opportunities are possible at Central St. Martins in London and The College of Art and Design at Bournemouthe and Poole. Students who aspire to work on Broadway are encouraged to take an internship in New York City assisting in a major Broadway design studio.

FACULTY: The faculty maintains active professional careers. We are committed to providing a professional perspective for our students. All designers are union members. We all provide students with the opportunity to work as assistants and associates as we do our regional, NY and international shows. See the School of Theater website for faculty bios and website links: http://www.finearts.ohio.edu/theater/

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES: It is our expectation that students will attend at least one national conference such as USITT, LDI, SETC, or ACTF each year to participate in design competitions, portfolio reviews, and job interviews. Many of our students win prizes at these events annually. Outstanding students are invited to participate in the National Design Portfolio Review, Design Showcase East or Hemsley Lighting Review in New York City and/or the USITT Young Designer’s/Technician’s Forum. The 2011 Prague Quadrennial featured several OU students’ work and in 2007 we produced a Tobin Prize winner at the Quadrennial.

TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS: Ohio University is one of the few programs in the country offering specialized training in numerous theatre technology disciplines. Our props, costume technology and costume crafts programs rank with the best in the country. Students have the opportunity to work with multiple professionals in the technical studios to refine their crafts and expand their repertoire of skills. The courses of study include in-depth training in such specialties as sword making, corsetry, millinery, theatrical tailoring, puppetry, historical draping, welding, furniture construction, rigging, armor, painting and dyeing, couture sewing, molding and casting, audio engineering, and technical management. The dedicated and enthusiastic teachers in these programs are also working professionals at major national operas, regional theatres and industrial entertainment companies.

SAMPLE PROGRAM	MFA in PRODUCTION DESIGN
	90 CREDIT HOURS MINIMUM *
YEAR ONE
FALL		SPRING
Theater studies: THAR 5010	3 credits	THAR 5300 - Production Practicum	3 credits
Design Skills or Drafting elective	3 credits	THAR 5395 - Digital Portfolio/Perf. Photography	3 credits
Design elective	3 credits	Theater Studies elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Design elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Studio elective	3 credits
THAR 5300 - Production Practicum	3 credits	Studio elective
	18 credits		18 credits


YEAR TWO
FALL		SPRING
THAR 6300 - Production Practicum	3 credits	THAR 6300 - Production Practicum	3 credits
Theater Studies elective	3 credits	Directing course elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Studio elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Studio elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Studio elective	3 credits
Directed elective	3 credits	Directed elective	3 credits
	18 credits		18 credits


YEAR THREE
FALL		SPRING
THAR 6940 - Thesis Research	3 credits	Thesis Design elective	3 credits
THAR 6950 - Thesis Project	6 credits	THAR 7903 - Internship	9 credits
Thesis Studio elective	3 credits	THAR 7300 - Production Practicum	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Directed elective	3 credits
Directed elective	3 credits
	18 credits		18 credits

*The degree minimum is 90 credits, however, a full load for funding purposes is considered to be 108 credits

SAMPLE PROGRAM	MFA in PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
	90 CREDIT HOURS MINIMUM *
YEAR ONE
FALL		SPRING
Theater Studies - THAR 5010	3 credits	THAR 5300 - Production Practicum	3 credits
Design Skills or Drafting elective	3 credits	THAR 5395 - Digital Portfolio/Perf. Photography	3 credits
Design elective	3 credits	Theater Studies elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Design elective -or- Studio elective	3 credits
Directed elective	3 credits	Studio elective	3 credits
THAR 5300 - Production Practicum	3 credits	Studio or directed elective	3 credits
	18 credits		18 credits

YEAR TWO
FALL		SPRING
THAR 6300 - Production Practicum	3 credits	THAR 6300 - Production Practicum	3 credits
Theater Studies elective -or- Studio elective	3 credits	Theater Studies elective -or- Studio elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Studio elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Studio elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Studio or directed elective	3 credits
Directed elective	3 credits	THAR 6940 - Thesis Research	3 credits
	18 credits		18 credits

YEAR THREE
FALL		SPRING
THAR 6960 - Thesis Project	6 credits	THAR 6960 - Thesis Project	3 credits
Thesis Tech course	3 credits	THAR 7903 - Internship	9 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Directed Elective	3 credits
Directed Elective	3 credits	THAR 7300 - Production Practicum	3 credits
Directed Elective	3 credits
	18 credits		18 credits

*The degree minimum is 90 credits, however, a full load for funding purposes is considered to be 108 credits

SAMPLE PROGRAM	MFA in PRODUCTION DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
	60 CREDIT HOURS MINIMUM COMPRESSED PROGRAM *
YEAR ONE
FALL		SPRING
THAR 5010 - Theater Studies	3 credits	Theater Studies elective	3 credits
Intradisciplinary Studies elective	3 credits	THAR 6300 - Production Practicum	3 credits
Intradisciplinary Studies elective	3 credits	Intradisciplinary Studies elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Studio elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Studio elective	3 credits
THAR 5300 - Production Practicum	3 credits	Thesis Portfolio or THAR 6940 Thesis Research	3 credits
	18 credits		18 credits


YEAR TWO
FALL		SPRING
THAR 6300 - Production Practicum	3 credits	THAR 6300 - Production Practicum	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Studio elective	3 credits
Studio elective	3 credits	Studio elective	3 credits
Directed elective	3 credits	THAR 6960 - Theater Thesis Project	3 credits
Thesis Portfolio course	3 credits	Directed elective	3 credits
THAR 6940 - Thesis Research	3 credits	Directed elective	3 credits
	18 credits		18 credits

*The degree minimum is 60 credits, however, a full load for funding purposes is considered to be 72 credits

Lighting Design

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Costume Design & Technology

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Props Technology

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Scene Design

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