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

About This Program

Are you ready to take center stage in the world of theatre design and technology? The M.F.A. degree equips students with the artistry and skills to become practicing professionals. With a flexible curriculum and concentrations in costume design, lighting design, scene design and technical direction, this three-year program offers students the opportunity to explore their areas of interest and gain hands-on experience in all aspects of theatre production. Read more...

Contact Information

• Michelle Souza | msouza@kent.edu

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Theatre

^{* 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.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• Portfolio review
• Interview
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 50 PTE score
  • Minimum 100 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Final deadline: August 1
• Spring Semester
  • Final deadline: January 1
• Summer Term
  • Final deadline: May 1

Applications will not be accepted after these deadlines.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

THEA 61094 is required for graduate assistants only; students not required to take the course will complete an advisor-approved elective to graduate with 60 credit hours.

Costume Design and Technology Concentration Requirements

¹

Maximum 6 credit hours of ARTS 55300 may be applied toward concentration requirements.

Lighting Design Concentration Requirements

Scene Design Concentration Requirements

Technical Direction Concentration Requirements

Progression Requirements

Students must pass semester reviews and are expected to participate in at least one main-stage production each semester, which may be in addition to any production design assignment.

Graduation Requirements

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Culminating Requirement

The culminating project requirements include documentation, portfolio presentation and an exit interview. Documentation consists of a design analysis, process journal, relevant research and other supporting materials (e.g., photos, links to the candidate’s website). 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 will be proposed by the candidate and based on faculty feedback from yearly portfolio and academic assessments. 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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Acquire creative and technical ability to develop the design of a production from concept to finished product.
2. Acquire advanced abilities in the unification of all design elements used in professional production.
3. Understand analytical or academically oriented theatre studies in areas related to and supportive of the work in the major field such as history, theory, dramatic literature and performance studies.
4. Understand information resources associated with theatrical design and production.
5. Produce full working drawings for mounted productions.
6. Analyze text, music and dance and the ways that historical, critical and theoretical content inform playwriting, acting, directing and design.
7. Communicate ideas clearly and effectively to the theatre community, production teams and the public.
8. Know the history of their area of specialization and have the ability to integrate that history into production design.
9. Know current technology, tools and methods in their area of specialization and have the ability to integrate technology into production design.
10. Know health and safety practices associated with theatre production.
11. Communicate and navigate effectively within the field of professional theatrical production design.
12. Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethics and practice.

Full Description

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Design and Technology is a terminal degree designed for those who are interested in achieving the artistry and skills necessary to qualify as practicing professionals in the entertainment industry and/or professional theatre educators. The program is a three-year course of study with a flexible curriculum for students to explore areas of special interest.

The Theatre Design and Technology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Costume Design and Technology concentration prepares students for careers in the entertainment industry, professional theatre or theatre education. Students study both design and technology, including related areas such as dye techniques, costume crafts and wigs and makeup. Students also design costumes for main-stage departmental productions. The curriculum includes core classes in theatre history, dramatic theory and historical periods.
• The Lighting Design concentration balances instruction and experience in lighting design with instruction and experience in lighting technology. Studies include digital rendering, CAD, lighting technology and automated lighting. Students research and study all of aspects of theatrical lighting, including the design process from concept to execution, communication skills, integration of technology into design, documentation of the work and critical evaluation of the work.
• The Scene Design concentration balances focused classroom instruction with practical design and production experience. Students also study related artisan areas such as digital and traditional rendering techniques, 3D CAD, props, fabrication, scene painting and presentation techniques with particular emphasis on integrating contemporary digital techniques into the design process. The curriculum contains courses in construction theory, rigging, costume crafts and projection/media design.
• The Technical Direction concentration provides students with training and practical experiences in planning main stage productions for the School of Theatre and Dance. Studies focus on safety and all logistics of production assembly, including touring and dance. Technical directors have the opportunity work in four very different theatre spaces: black box, large proscenium, thrust and open outdoor.