The Top xxx College Theatre Design and Tech Programs for 2019-2020

Baldwin Wallace University

At the first of each new school yr, we here at OnStage Web log like to announce what we feel are the best performing arts for the coming twelvemonth. For those of you wondering how we select these schools, information technology starts in the previous leap.

Starting in April, nosotros tasked a committee of just over 20 people to research these programs. They consisted of theatre educators, students, alumni, and parents. We wanted people who knew how to evaluate a performing arts program and what questions to ask. This is what nosotros feel separates u.s. from every other higher ranking article, these folks know what's of import in theatre education.

This yr nosotros based our criteria on a number of factors including Cost vs. Scholarships, Quality of Facilities, Functioning/Product Opportunities, and Post-Graduate Support. We likewise asked questions about the diversity of students as well as the kinesthesia.

Each year, nosotros also like to include a new category that gene into our rankings - on/off-campus rubber. We feel this is a factor that is oftentimes non made a priority. So in improver to common cold-calling the schools, we also took a look at their Clery Reports and asked questions near how proactive these schools are when it comes to safety.

This year we likewise decided not to rank the schools one-xxx. When looking at the scores, often these schools were separated by one to 2 points. So rather, this year we're just naming who nosotros experience are the best, in no detail order.

We must also preface this by saying that while these are some swell schools to beginning your search with, ultimately the best college theatre program out in that location is the i yous feel nearly confident and comfortable attending.

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The entertainment industry is constantly being impacted by the development of technology. Because of this, college theatre blueprint and tech programs have to evolve with information technology. Programs are offering new classes, bringing in innovative guests and implementing the newest stage technology into their productions. Needless to say, it'south an exciting time to be in theatre design and tech.

Here are xxx programs we experience are doing some amazing things onstage and behind the scenes.

Indicate Park Academy - Pittsburgh, PA

Why nosotros love information technology: Theatre product students will accept a professional person preparation class to develop resumes, portfolios and interviewing skills. These students also accept an opportunity for sponsorship to the USITT or SETC conferences for networking, career exploration, and job interviews.

Brawl State University - Muncie, IN

Why we love information technology: Esteemed kinesthesia include Kathryn Rohe. A prolific designer across the country, she has been the Resident Costume Designer with Ship Theatre in New York since 2002. She has as well worked on several Broadway shows including The "Lion King," "Mamma Mia!," "Hairspray," and "Thoroughly Modern Millie."

UNC School of the Arts - Winston-Salem, NC

Why we dearest it: Alums have worked with world-renowned organizations like Cirque du Soleil, Blue Man Group, Alvin Ailey American Trip the light fantastic Theater, Berkeley Ballet Theatre, Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre, and The Walt Disney Company.

Mason Gross Schoolhouse of the Arts at Rutgers Academy - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Why we dearest it: Each semester there is regular shop fourth dimension and focused assignments in structure, assisting a technical manager, audio blueprint and electrics that develop theater exercise. The last semester includes advanced classes, including a professional person development seminar and career transition report. Preparation is completed by serving as a technical manager on a Rutgers Theater Company product.

SCAD - Savannah, GA

Why we love it: Production design alumni are employed effectually the world at 20th Century Fox, Discovery Communications, Food Network, HBO, HGTV, MTV Networks, NBC Universal, New American Shakespeare Tavern, Nickelodeon and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.

Carnegie Mellon University - Pittsburgh, PA

Why we love information technology: With as many as 25 annual productions in the School of Drama—among them, The New Works Series, devised piece of work, traditional theater, musicals, opera, trip the light fantastic toe, television set, and film—students have ample opportunity to design. Partnerships with professional person theaters in Pittsburgh provide additional experiences for avant-garde students.

University at Buffalo - Buffalo, NY

Why we honey it: BFA students in Design and Technology receive comprehensive grooming in all aspects of production including Scene, Lighting, Sound, and Costume Pattern equally well Phase Management, Technical Direction, Alive Effect Production, and more.

Emerson College - Boston, MA

Why we dear it: Equally a student in a design program focused exclusively on undergraduates, y'all'll have unique access to the College's performance and production spaces, which include v theatres ranging from the seating-flexible Jackie Liebergott Blackness Box to the 1,186-seat Cutler Purple Theatre.

DePaul University - Chicago, IL

Why we love it: Technicians are trained in scenery and props structure, rigging, drafting, welding, lighting engineering, audio technology, pneumatics, hydraulics, automation, problem-solving, and project management.

LIU Post - Brookville, NY

Why we honey it: The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Blueprint and Production is a pre-professional person caste that combines a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of theatre with concentrations in costume, scenic, lighting or sound design; technical production; and phase management.

The University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ

Why nosotros love information technology: Theatre productions are supported with big well-equipped shop spaces. The scenery shop includes a steel working area, large assembly space, and dedicated paint shop with movable paint frame for both frame and floor painting. The costume area has separate teaching labs and costume product labs which include fitting rooms and laundry too as a carve up costume crafts shop and dye room. Properties has its own shop for both soft and synthetic props.


Ithaca College - Ithaca, NY

Why we love information technology: The bachelor of fine arts degree in theatre production and design is an intensive pre-professional plan that combines conservatory-style training in theatre design and engineering science with a broad liberal arts education. The theatre technology concentration is for students interested in the areas of technical management, scenic carpentry, audio technology, audio mixing, backdrop, breathtaking art (painting), or lighting engineering. Students take intensive studio classes in all aspects of technical blueprint and production. The theatrical design concentration is for students interested in scenic, costume, lighting, and/or audio pattern.

Baldwin Wallace University - Berea, OH

Why we honey information technology: BW kinesthesia are practicing professionals with contacts at Cleveland's Great Lakes Theater, Cleveland Public Theatre, Beck Center for the Arts and Dobama Theatre, too equally Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.

Kent Land University - Kent, OH

Why we love it: Lighting design kinesthesia include Jakyung Seo. She has worked every bit a professional lighting designer and banana lighting designer in Usa regional theatre including Steppenwolf and Congo Square Theatre (Chicago), Eye to Soul (NYC), CATCO (Columbus), Prothouse and Lodestone Theatre (LA).

Pace University - New York City, NY

Why we dearest it: Courses include "Acting for Production and Design". This form covers the basic principles of acting for designers and technicians to provide them a practical and hands-on agreement of the player'south process and tool kit. Students learn theatre games, character development, techniques to explore locations and environments, scene study methods and analysis.

Auburn University - Auburn, AL

Why we dear information technology: 2d-year courses include "Costume Construction". This course covers fundamentals of machine sewing techniques, pattern drafting and draping, material dyes, and craftwork as they relate to theatrical costuming.

Catawba College - Salisbury, NC

Why we love it: Study abroad opportunities take taken Catawba Theatre Arts students to the U.1000. and Italy and have allowed them international experiences and artistic residencies in Republic of costa rica, Hellenic republic, Deutschland, Japan, and Estonia.

Virginia Democracy University - Richmond, VA

Why we love it: Preparation in iii major areas of pattern and engineering: scenic, costume, and lighting are emphasized. costumes at SETC 2011Courses and practical piece of work in sound design, prop construction, makeup and wig design are also offered.

CalArts - Valencia, CA

Why we love it: The professionally managed and maintained 5,000-foursquare-foot scene shop consists of an expansive wood shop, metal shop, CNC room with router, lathe and vacuum course, every bit well every bit a fully stocked rigging room and tool cage.

UCONN - Storrs, CT

Why we love it: Informal assessments by the Design/Technical kinesthesia in the student's freshman and sophomore years are helpful in providing feedback, sharpening focus and encouraging candidates with demonstrated an aptitude to keep in the program.

Penn State Academy - Academy Park, PA

Why we honey it: The professional producing arm of the Schoolhouse of Theatre, Penn State Centre Phase, enables costume students even greater and more directly contact with artists working in the industry. In addition, students are exposed to "hands on" research in their historic vesture collection of over i,000 garments and accessories.

Baylor University - Waco, TX

Why we love information technology: Each year, students take on the responsibility of stage managing iii to four regular-season mainstage productions, two midsummer mainstage productions, 2 musical theatre workshop CaBEARet fundraisers, and over twenty workshop productions ranging in content from devised piece of work to musicals.

Syracuse Academy - Syracuse, NY

Why nosotros love it: Yous will work from their newly expanded and renovated Theater Design Center, which includes 3 design studios, crafts rooms, a LightBox, CAD lab, and a design library. Their theater complex provides opportunities to work in a variety of performance spaces, including a 500-seat proscenium; a 250-seat theater that can be configured as a proscenium, thrust, or avenue stage; and their intimate Loft Theater.

SUNY Purchase College - Purchase, NY

Why we honey it: More than than 86 percentage of theatre design/engineering science graduates are working in their chosen profession. Many alumni are at present members of Us local 829, IATSE, and AEA and have received Tony, Emmy, Obie, and Drama Desk Awards, amid other honors. Their extensive pattern credits include Broadway, Off Broadway, dance, movie, television, industrials, and Las Vegas.

Wichita State University - Wichita, KS

Why we honey it: Designers and technicians with Alvin Ailey American Trip the light fantastic toe Theatre, American Shakespeare Eye, Casa Mañana, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Cirque du Soliel, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Goodman Theatre, Huntington Stage, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, John F. Kennedy Eye for the Performing Arts, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and on Unusual Suspects, Modernistic Family, True Claret, CSI: NY and more.

Boston University - Boston, MA

Why we beloved it: Before officially declaring their BFA degree major, each first-yr student entering the School of Theatre is admitted into a Freshman Core Curriculum, in either Performance or Design & Production. The Freshman Core experience helps to establish a base vocabulary that volition serve as the foundation for a student's progression into his or her BFA degree program.

Missouri State Academy - Springfield, MO

Why we love it: A unique opportunity with the Tent Theatre, the only company in the area that houses an Equity Membership Candidate Program. As a student, y'all will have the opportunity to build disinterestedness candidacy points. Y'all will work with performers who have been recruited throughout the nation to participate in this professional person feel.

Academy of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Champaign, IL

Why nosotros love it: The costume shop features advanced millinery, dyeing, and leather-working facilities, while a makeup and wig studio produces prosthetics, ventilated wigs, and facial pilus.

Oklahoma City University - Oklahoma City, OK

Why we love it: The BFA in Stage Direction currently has an exchange with Rose Bruford College located in London. With this exchange, stage management students have the opportunity to spend the bound semester of their inferior year studying at Rose Bruford.. This experience is designed into the curriculum and allows the student to stay on runway to graduate in the standard 4 years.

College-Conservatory of Music - Cincinnati, OH

Why nosotros love it: Lighting design students volition gain valuable hands-on experience working with our professional person quality equipment in inventory. A selected listing of lighting gear includes: Philips Vari-Lite & Martin Automatic Fixtures and Wyrbon Color Scrollers. Consoles such as: ETC EOS, Chemical element, High Cease Hog, Strand, and ETC Source Four Conventional Fixtures.