B.F.A.—Design & Technology
The B.F.A. in Theatre - Design & Technology aims to provides students with focused courses and practical production experience in the areas of technical production, scenery, costume, lighting, and sound design. Although students are required to take courses in all these areas, the curriculum is flexible enough to allow students to focus on one or more of these disciplines. It is the goal of this program to prepare students for entry-level professional positions or to equip them with the skills necessary for graduate training.

Design & Technology Faculty
The design & technology faculty bring considerable professional experience to their classroom teaching. The faculty include members of the major design and technical unions, and their collective experience spans all principle areas of design and technology in venues ranging from New York and regional theatre to public television and film. Our faculty are dedicated to teaching and have the professional experience necessary to train students to successfully enter quality graduate programs or the professional work force.

Structure
The B.F.A. in Theatre - Design & Technology includes introductory course work in costume crafts, stage lighting production techniques, and stagecraft. Other prescribed courses include scene design, technical production, theatre drafting techniques, design presentation techniques, scene painting, costume design, and stage lighting design. Students take additional supporting courses in advanced technical/design production. The distribution of credits must include a theatre production practicum and an area of specialization. All design & technology students are expected to participate in a technical capacity in one theatre production for each of seven semesters.

The student’s progress will be reviewed each semester by the production faculty. Design & technology students are encouraged to obtain extracurricular positions in summer theatrical programs to further their training.

Many employers consider the B.F.A. degree as an indication of specific training in a chosen field. Enrollment in the B.F.A. program assures the student adequate production opportunities and access to a wide range of design & technology courses tailored to his or her specific needs.

Design & Technology Interview/Portfolio Review Requirements
Prepare for the requirements of all applicants as described under “B.F.A. Admission Procedures” and for the interview/portfolio review as follows:

1. Bring evidence of experience with graphic or production-related skills. This could be any combination of drawing, painting, drafting, photography, sculpture, TV or film production, and/or scenic, costume, lighting, or sound design.

2. Discuss with the interview/portfolio review team the contents of the portfolio, any theatre experience, and the choice of theatre as a major.

For more information, contact:
William Kenyon
814.865.2261

E-mail: wkenyon@psu.edu