The Theatre and Dance’s production design program aims to unlock students’ creativity and help them master the portfolio of practical skills essential for a career as a successful design professional. Part of the arts and humanities discipline in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the program connects students directly to the vibrant arts community of Washington, D.C.
The MFA program offers courses that provide solid artistic training, experiential academic application, and a direct opportunity to apply these skills in an intense professional environment. The faculty is composed of professionals with practical knowledge of how to develop a successful career in production design. Each MFA candidate works with the faculty to develop a customized three-year program that emphasizes production design for theater and dance as well as the related arts of film, television, exhibition design, and special events. All programs include nine to 18 credits of full-time apprenticeship at a local professional theater, studies in secondary design areas, and cross-discipline training in the allied arts. Concentrations include costume, scenery, and lighting design.
The MFA in Production Design is on hold and currently not accepting applicants at this time.
The program of study consists of 60 credits of graduate and upper-division undergraduate coursework in theatre and dance and in art, planned in consultation with the advisor, including a creative thesis (TRDA 6998 Thesis Research and TRDA 6999 Thesis Research). The program may emphasize scenery, lighting, costume, or other relevant production design concentrations. For listings of upper-division undergraduate courses, see the Undergraduate Programs Bulletin.
