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WVU Morgantown

Theatre Design and Technology, B.F.A

  • Overview
  • Admissions Requirements
  • Major
  • Learning Outcomes

Degree Offered

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts

Nature of the Program

The B.F.A. in Theatre Design & Technology introduces the student to all aspects of theatre and is coupled with an extensive breadth of liberal arts requirements drawing from many other disciplines throughout the University. The program is designed for the student who intends to pursue a professional theatre career, graduate study in theatre, or who may choose to enter a related profession where design and technology skills are highly desirable.

The core curriculum in this B.F.A. program allows the student to learn all facets of theatre design and technology. Through upper level courses and elective options students can hone their skills in a specified career path such as costumes, lighting, scenery, sound, or technical direction. Throughout the course of study, students must demonstrate a talent and ability in more than one area of the art form. Training also involves active participation in the production program and the opportunity to design fully-produced mainstage productions. Emphasis on hands-on learning in the theatre and laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment is at the core of the Design & Technology Program.

In addition to completing the required coursework, students enrolled in the design and technology program must participate in a portfolio review at the end of each semester beginning with their sophomore year.  Furthermore, additional mid-term assessments may be required at the discretion of the Director or the Design & Technology Program Director.  Students must successfully complete these assessments to be allowed to continue in the program.

Admissions for 2025-2026

Students must meet all WVU Undergraduate Admissions entrance requirements.  Prior to admission into the BFA Theatre Design and Technology program, applicants must successfully pass an interview and portfolio review.  The portfolio review consists of theoretical and/or realized production work.

The School of Theatre & Dance will administer these interviews and portfolio reviews typically in November and early spring semester in Morgantown.  Additional interview and review dates may also be scheduled.  Audition information can be found on the College's website or by contacting the CCAM Office of Recruitment at (304) 293-4339.

Major Code: 3713

General Education Foundations

Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.

NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.

Course List
Code Title Hours
General Education Foundations
F1 - Composition & Rhetoric3-6
ENGL 101
& ENGL 102
Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric
and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research
or ENGL 103
Accelerated Academic Writing
F2A/F2B - Science & Technology4-6
F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning3-4
F4 - Society & Connections3
F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past3
F6 - The Arts & Creativity3
F7 - Global Studies & Diversity3
F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree)9
Total Hours31-37

Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.

Curriculum Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
University Requirements37
Theatre Design & Technology Major Requirements83
Total Hours120

University Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits)
Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 825
THET 191First-Year Seminar2
General Electives10
Total Hours37

Theatre Design & Technology Major Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Theatre Studies
Select one of the following (GEF 6):3
THET 102
Acting
THET 144S
Fundamentals of Acting
THET 100First-Year Practicum1
THET 170World Theatre and Drama (GEF 7)3
THET 301History of Western Theatre (GEF 8)3
THET 302Directing3
THET 327SHistory of Costume and Decoration 13
THET 328SHistory of Costume and Decoration 23
THET 365Western Theatre History 2: Enlightenment to Contemporary (Fulfills Writing and Communication Skills Requirement)3
Design & Technology
Foundation
THET 103Stagecraft3
THET 104Stagecraft Lab1
THET 105Costuming3
THET 106Costuming Lab1
THET 113Stage Management Principles3
THET 220Fundamentals of Lighting3
THET 222SDrafting for the Stage3
THET 225SIntroduction to Stage Design 13
THET 226SIntroduction to Stage Design 23
THET 315SPortfolio Development3
Intermediate Technical
Select three from the following:9
THET 219S
Intermediate Costume Construction
THET 221
Theatre Makeup
THET 310S
Stagecraft 2
THET 312
Theatrical Rigging
THET 321S
Stage Properties
THET 329S
Computer Assisted Design for the Stage
THET 330S
Rendering Techniques
THET 375S
Puppet Construction
THET 433S
Model Building
Advanced Technical
Select three of the following:9
THET 422S
Advanced Stage Makeup
THET 423S
Costume Crafts
THET 424
Advanced Technical Production
THET 425S
Advanced Costume Construction
THET 426
Automation
THET 427
Lighting Technology
THET 428S
Scene Painting
THET 429S
Sound Seminar
THET 435
Theatre Health and Safety
Design
Select three of the following:9
THET 322S
Scene Design
THET 323S
Advanced Scene Design
THET 324S
Costume Design 1
THET 325S
Lighting Design
THET 326S
Advanced Costume Design
THET 421S
Lighting Design 2
Practicum
Practicum Courses5
THET 200
Production Practicum (Repeat twice for 2 credit hours total)
THET 400
Advanced Production Practicum (Repeat three times for 3 credits hours total)
Capstone
THET 401Capstone Experience3
Total Hours83
*

Actual number of credits will be determined by the number and level of the elected GEF courses.

Suggested Plan of Study Design/Technology Emphasis

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
THET 1001ENGL 101 (GEF 1)3
THET 103
& THET 104
4THET 105
& THET 106
4
THET 170 (GEF 7)3THET 1133
THET 1912GEF 33
GEF 43THET 144S or 102 (GEF 6)3
 13 16
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENGL 102 (GEF 1)3THET 2001
THET 2001THET 226S3
THET 2203THET 301 (GEF 8)3
THET 222S3Intermediate Tech Course 23
THET 225S3GEF 24
Intermediate Tech Course 13Elective1
 16 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
THET 3023Select one of the following:3
Select one of the following:3
THET 323S
 
THET 322S
 
THET 326S
 
THET 324S
 
THET 421S
 
THET 325S
 THET 328S3
THET 327S3THET 4001
THET 4001Advanced Tech Course 13
Intermediate Tech Course 33GEF 53
GEF 83Elective3
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
THET 3653THET 315S3
THET 4001THET 4013
Select one of the following:3Advanced Tech Course 33
THET 322S
 Elective 3
THET 323S
 GEF 83
THET 325S
  
Advanced Tech Course 23 
Elective3 
 13 15
Total credit hours: 120

Major Learning Outcomes

Theatre Design and Technology

Common Body of Knowledge and Skills for B.F.A. Theatre students

Students must acquire:

Technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major area of production (for example, acting, design/technology, playwriting, musical theatre) and those skills must be progressively developed to the highest level appropriate to the particular area of concentration.

  1. An overview understanding of the major aspects, techniques, and directions in the area of concentration.

  2. Fundamental, comprehensive understanding of the various elements and basic interrelated processes of creation, interpretation, performance, and production.

  3. Fundamental, conceptual understanding of the expressive possibilities of theatre.

  4. Knowledge and skills sufficient to work in both collaborative and individual roles in matters of theatre interpretation.

  5. Growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence, and knowledge of repertory through regular performance and production experiences. Students must have such experiences throughout the degree program.

  6. Repertory. Students must acquire:

    1. Familiarity with theatre literature of various historical periods, cultural sources, and modes of presentation.

    2. Experience with specific repertories and comparative standards of production quality through performance, academic study, and attendance at productions.

  7. Theoretical and Historical Studies

    1. Students must acquire:

      1. The ability to analyze plays perceptively and to evaluate them critically.

      2. An understanding of the common elements and vocabulary of theatre and of the interaction of these elements, and be able to employ this knowledge in analysis, including analyses of their productions.

      3. The ability to place works of theatre in historical and stylistic contexts and have some understanding of the cultural milieu in which they were created.

      4. The ability to develop and defend informed judgments about theatre.

    2. Technology. Students must acquire a working knowledge of technologies and equipment applicable to their area(s) of specialization.

  8. Synthesis. While synthesis is a lifetime process, by the end of undergraduate studies students should be able to work independently on a variety of professional problems by combining, as appropriate to the issue, their capabilities in performance, repertory, theory, history, and technology, as well as other fields they have studied.

Upon completion of any B.F.A. professional undergraduate degree program:

  1. Students must demonstrate achievement of professional, entry-level competence in the area of specialization including significant technical mastery, the capability to produce work and solve professional problems independently, and a coherent set of artistic/intellectual goals that are evident in their work.

  2. Students must demonstrate their competence by developing a body of work for evaluation in the major area of study. A senior project or presentation in the major area is required in many concentrations, and strongly recommended for all others.

  3. Students must have the ability to communicate ideas, concepts, and requirements to theatre professionals and laypersons related to the practice of the major field. Such communication may involve oral, written, visual, and musical media.


Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design & Technology

Essential Competencies, Experiences, and Opportunities (in addition to those stated for all degree programs above)

  1. Ability to conceptualize and realize a design aesthetic consistent with the overall artistic concepts of a production.
  2. Ability to understand and articulate basic elements and principles of design theory.
  3. Ability to understand and articulate basic elements and principles of composition related to line, shape, color, texture, and sound
  4. Understanding of the aesthetic use of color.
  5. Understanding of the aesthetic use of sound.
  6. Ability to communicate design ideas and realities to other personnel involved in the production, including directors, other designers, stage managers, and actors.
  7. Ability to produce and communicate design ideas with freehand drawings.
  8. Ability to provide formalized, accurate production models and drawings by hand and/or through the use of current industry standard software programs.
  9. Fundamental knowledge of the total design process, including the progression of raw materials through multiple design “shops” and the roles that various craftspeople play in the creation of a finished product.
  10. Fundamental knowledge of décor, architecture, furniture, dress, crafts, and art as they relate to various historical periods.
  11. Ability to demonstrate an understanding of basic engineering principles (electrical, mechanical, and/or structural) as they relate to chosen design specializations.
  12. Knowledge of federal, state, and local health and safety codes, best practices, and industry standards as they relate to theatrical venues and production elements.
  13. Preparation and presentation of a professional résumé and a portfolio of design- and technology-related work that demonstrate one’s abilities, strengths, processes, and experiences.
  14. Opportunities for experience in the design/technology aspects of theatre in a variety of formal and informal settings throughout the entire degree program, including an opportunity to design and/or create the technology for at least one fully realized production that will be presented before an audience prior to graduation.
  • School of Art and Design
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