Contact
Carmen M. Martinez, Program Coordinator
820 East Genesee Street
315-443-2669
cmarti46@syr.edu
Faculty
Jed Daniels, Gretchen Darrow-Crotty, Alex Jainchill, Jacqueline Herter, Emily Holm, Izmir Ickbal, Carmen Martinez, Kevin O'Connor, Rebecca Schuetz, Randall Steffen, Rob Andrusko, Sandi Knapp, Mara Tunnicliff, Amanda Moore
Program Description
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Design and Technology is conducted within a stimulating environment that combines both classroom and hands-on learning experiences. The 130-credit curriculum stresses building a firm foundation in the arts and the humanities as well as in the applied aspects and crafts of the theater. In the first year theater design and technology majors are an integral part of Drama Department productions as members of backstage crews and as assistants to designers. This interaction between theory and practice is an essential part of developing an educated, creative theater person.
Advanced students design many Department of Drama main-stage productions and work with the professional staff and company of Syracuse Stage. Juniors and Seniors in the program are eligible to assist professional designers working at Syracuse Stage.
Students interested in design specialize in one or more areas: set design, costume design, and lighting design. Each area of specialization requires a specific sequence of coursework. Courses in studio art, art and architectural history, and costume history contribute to developing conceptual design skills. The theater design and technology program also offers training in the use of computers as design tools. Facilities include three design studios, a craft room, a sewing room, a Light Box and a CAD lab in addition to the technical shops shared with Syracuse Stage.
B.F.A. students interested in the technical aspects of theater may specialize in scene construction and painting, lighting, properties, or costumes, in consultation with a faculty advisor.
The B.F.A. program is appropriate for students interested in a career in the fields of entertainment design or technology.
Students wishing to explore a curriculum that combines theater design and technology with a broader liberal arts content may apply for the120-credit B.S. degree in drama, with a technical theater emphasis, provided they have been admitted to and have completed a portion of the B.F.A.
Students must complete a total of 130 degree credits for the Theater Design and Technology, BFA. This includes 30 credits of liberal arts and science courses: 6 credits of Writing, 6 credits of Art History, 1 credit of First Year Seminar, and 17 credits of academic electives.
Student Learning Outcomes
After four years in the Theater Design and Technology program, students are expected to graduate with a competitive portfolio and resume to submit for consideration for professional employment or for admission to a Master of Fine Arts program in their area of concentration. The following competencies are expected to be gained in the program through classes and experiential learning:
- Create a visual interpretation of a script or concept through an understanding of theater as an art form
- Communicate effectively and clearly with all collaborators (directors, other designers, performers, technical shops, producers, etc.) on any given project
- Respectfully provide and receive feedback of their own work as well as their peers
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of both two and three-dimensional design, and the use of the elements of design (color, texture, line, form/mass, and light) to affect emotional impact of theatrical design
- Apply knowledge of art history into theatrical design
- Create freehand drawings of figures, still life scenes and perspective sketches
- Create technical drawings - both hand and computer-aided (ground plans, sections, elevations, painter’s elevations, lighting plots, costume sketches) for the fabrication and realization of theatrical designs
- Use different media and methods to communicate ideas to collaborators
- Demonstrate proficiency with the equipment, technology and/or construction practices of one or more specific discipline (scenic, costume and lighting)
- Integrate safe practices in the fabrication and realization of theatrical designs
Program Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| DRA 105 | Introduction to Acting/Non-Majors | 3 |
| DRA 115 | Drama in Context I | 3 |
| DRA 116 | Drama in Context II | 3 |
| DRA 315 | Play Analysis for Production | 3 |
| DRA 331 | Introduction to Directing | 3 |
| DRA 355 | Drama in Context III | 3 |
| DRA 356 | Drama in Context IV | 3 |
| 3 |
| DRD 110 | Drawing Skills for Theater Design | 3 |
| DRD 111 | Media, Methods, and Materials in Theatrical Design | 3 |
| DRD 112 | Drafting for the Theater I | 3 |
| DRD 141 | Introduction to Design for the Theater I | 3 |
| DRD 142 | Introduction to Design for the Theater II | 3 |
| DRD 212 | Drafting for the Theater II | 3 |
| DRD 311 | Scene Design I | 3 |
| DRD 321 | Theatrical Costume Design I | 3 |
| DRD 322 | Theatrical Costume Design II | 3 |
| DRD 331 | Stage Lighting I | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 10 |
| DES 113 | History of Modern Design: 1850-Present | 3 |
| DES 114 | Design, Cultural Traditions and the Environment | 3 |
| |
| DRD 140 | Introduction to Theater Crafts I | 2-3 |
| DRD 240 | Introduction to Theater Crafts II | 2-3 |
| 8 |
| |
| 12 |
| DRA 090 | Theater Lab | 0 |
| 0 |
| FYS 101 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| WRT 105 | Studio 1: Practices of Academic Writing | 3 |
| WRT 205 | Studio 2: Critical Research and Writing | 3 |
| 21 |
| |
| Total Credits | 131-133 |
Note
Students may only have a combined total of 12 credits from Independent Study or Experience Credit
Degree Awarded: BFA in Theater Design and Technology
Undergraduate University Requirements
The following requirements and experiences apply to all Syracuse University Undergraduate matriculated degree programs.
