Production Technology
Master of Fine Arts
Production Technology Master's Degree
The Production Technology program, resulting in a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree, prepares students for careers as technicians in the professional theater and related fields. Our training provides a strong foundation in design and technology and the skills to compete in the professional market.
We strive to provide students opportunities that will be a first step into their professional careers. The first year focuses on unleashing the imagination and examining the process of translating visual images into practical physical reality. The second year emphasizes skill development and specialization in an area of concentration. The third year contains three primary elements: thesis project, portfolio refinement and internship, as well as rounding out skills.
Areas of Concentration include costume technology and costume crafts technology, props technology, and technical direction.
Areas of Concentration
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Costume Technology
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Costume Crafts Technology
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Props Technology
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Technical Direction
Admission Requirements
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Admission to the PD&T program is by interview and portfolio review, conducted at the University Resident Theatre Association (URTA), the annual USITT Conference & Stage Expo, as well as on the OHIO campus in Athens. Our recruiting season begins in late January/early February with the URTA event and tends to conclude by the end of April. The faculty is looking for talented students with the potential for advanced skills in theater technology studies. Candidates should have the ability to communicate practical, interesting production challenges and the means by which they resolved them as well as portfolio samples that demonstrate a potential toward professional growth.
An online application through the Graduate College begins the process. Requirements include:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Undergraduate transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- A statement of purpose
- English Proficiency Requirement: Please review information about Ohio University's minimum English Language Proficiency requirements for graduate study.
If a talented student has a GPA of less than 3.0, the student will enter on probationary status and be re-evaluated at the end of the first semester’s work. A visit to inspect the facilities and an interview with the design staff is encouraged. The GRE is NOT required for this program. International students must consult the Graduate College webpage for international studies for further information on such topics as the TOEFL, speak test, visas, and others.
More About Theater Graduate Admissions
International Students
This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.
Tuition & Financial Aid
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Tuition & Fees
Tuition and fees are assessed based on the number of credit hours of enrollment, Ohio residency and program.
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Theater Graduate Assistantships
Graduate students are eligible for talent-based awards, including tuition waivers and graduate stipends, as well as graduate assistantships. Graduate appointments are awarded by programs and departments, providing a stipend for service and generally include a tuition scholarship. Stipend and scholarship amounts vary by program
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Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial aid for graduate study (regardless of discipline) is available in the form of student loans. To begin the loan application process, you need to complete and submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
To learn more about loans, scholarships and grants, visit Ohio University's Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.
Opportunities & Professional Experience
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Design On Campus Productions
The majority of our productions are designed by students and all are produced by our students. With two main staged and two lab spaces, all production technicians get at least two main stage and several lab theater design experiences. All technicians will work with professional directors, designers and actors as part of the Tantrum Theater professional component of the School. Production technician students are widely sought after for student films and dance productions.
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Get Off-Campus Experience During Breaks
We regularly place students in theaters over the summer or during academic breaks. Typical placements include 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, Actors Theater of Louisville, and the Pittsburgh Public Theater.
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Attend 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 competitions, portfolio reviews, and job interviews. Outstanding students are invited to participate in the USITT Young Technician's Forum. The 2017 World Stage Design and the 2011 rogue Quadrennial featured several OHIO students' work and in 2007 we produced a Tobin Prize winner at the Quadrennial.
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Make the Most of Your Internship
Because a requirement for graduation is an internship, we regularly place our students at theaters across the country or in professional shops. Recent placements include Santa Fe Opera, Production Resource group, The Public Theater, Jacob's Pillow, Chicago Shakespeare, Tantrum Theater, and Oregon Shakespeare Festival to name a few.
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Work with Our Faculty
The faculty maintains active professional careers and provide students with the opportunities through our wide professional network.
Admission to the program is by interview at the annual U/RTA sits and at scheduled interviews and portfolio reviews on campus. No GRE required. We strongly encourage an on-campus visit for a more in depth look at the program to visit classes and see a production.
Production Technology - M.F.A. Courses & Curriculum
View Courses & Requirements in the Official Academic Catalog
Technology students are involved in production, craft, and skill classes leading to the development of fine craft, technical skills and top-notch managerial skills. Participation in a specified production activity which is related to a student’s area of concentration is required each semester. These assignments will require mastery of senior supervisory staff positions on the main stage, such as shop manager, technical director or cutter/draper.
Production Technology areas include technical direction, costume technology and crafts, and props technology (artisanship). The program is structured to allow specialization and to encourage dual area interests. With a graduate population of 25-30 design and technology students, classes tend to be small and intense, so students get a lot of individual attention and mentoring.
Each semester ends with a review by all of the faculty of recent student work. Over the course of the three years, emphasis is placed on professional portfolio development that synthesizes classes, production and resume building employment. Classes in Performance Photography and Portfolio support this emphasis.
Summer work in the field is required, as is yearly national conference attendance.
Year 1
They initial year includes fundamentals in technology, the director-designer collaboration, and developing relevant skills in specific areas. Realized production assignments generally begin with an assistantship and follow with a technical assignment in the second semester.
Year 2
The second year is focused on synthesis of skill and practical experiences. Students take advanced courses in technology and design as well as a business class, theater history and criticism and electives to complete the first two years. Realized production will continue with at least one assignment per semester as well as production work related practicum credits or graduate stipends.
Year 3
Students lead a fully supported main stage thesis project in their area of expertise and intern at substantial professional theater or an equivalent producing organization. The final requirement of the program is the presentation of a digital and traditional "exit portfolio" and website that meets prevailing professional standards.
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Contact Us
For additional information about the Production Technology - M.F.A., contact theater@ohio.edu.
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Directing (M.F.A.)Our directors are compassionate, engaged, theater artists that leave the program to become professional directors, directors of theaters, and arts educators.
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Production Design (M.F.A.)The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Production Design program prepares students for careers as designers in all aspects of the professional theater. Our training provides a strong foundation in design and the skills to compete in the professional market.