Theatre Major: Design & Theatre Technology Option (B.A.)

Theater design students working on theatrical lighting

What is design and theatre technology?

If you want to be part of the magic of theatre – crafting the costumes, scenery, lighting, sound and set designs that transport audiences – design and theatre technology is for you. This option in the theatre degree program at UNH will prepare you for a wide range of careers as you study the history of theatre and technical elements of design, building skills in your area of interest.

Why study design and theatre technology at UNH?

In addition to our award-winning faculty, the UNH Department of Theatre and Dance offers more than 25 performance opportunities every year in musicals, plays or dance concerts. As a student in the design and theatre technology program, you may have the opportunity take on stage production design assignments for these productions. You’ll also be able to pursue independent studies and you’ll be eligible to apply for R.E.A.C.H., financial assistance provided to students who participate in internships with professional theatre or dance organizations. Our Cultural Stages program brings acclaimed playwrights, choreographers and other theatre artists from around the world to campus.

Potential careers

Costume designer or technician
Lighting designer or technician
Master electrician
Props manager
Scenic designer
Stage manager
Technical director

Find Courses

View Course Catalog

Contact

Szu-Feng Chen

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Department of Theater and Dance
Paul Creative Arts Center
University of New Hampshire
30 Academic Way
Durham, NH 03824

Phone: (603) 862-2919
Fax: (603) 862-0298

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

Design and theatre technology students who show significant progress and ability may earn the opportunity to demonstrate practical application of their studies through the department’s main stage production design assignments. Through classwork, production assignments and problem-solving, this option prepares students for both practical skills and aesthetic sensibilities needed for the creation of visual and technical elements for the performing arts. The challenging coursework provides both fundamental knowledge and critical thinking practice, which are skills that help students pursue a successful profession in theatre and related fields; the core principles of hard work, problem-solving and creativity are transferable to other career paths as well. UNH-trained graduates hold careers across the nation as designers, technical directors, stage managers, property masters, head electricians and scenic artists.

Contact Szu-Feng Chen, Paul Creative Arts Center, (603) 862-4445, szu-feng.chen@unh.edu.

Requirements for the Program

In the freshman and sophomore years, students should enroll for at least two major and two Discovery courses per semester. The minimum grade requirement for major courses is C- per course. Any grade lower than C- will not count toward the major. Under department policy, students who complete both COMM 401 American Sign Language I and COMM 502 American Sign Language II satisfy the bachelor of arts language proficiency requirement. All majors must take courses in the following areas: performance, design/theatre technology and theory/history as well as fulfill between four and eight practicums and complete a capstone course. Although timing will vary with each option, it is strongly suggested that all introductory courses be taken prior to the end of the student's sophomore year.

The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Theatre department majors may use one major-required course to satisfy one Discovery category requirement.

All UNH B.A. degrees require a minimum of 128 credit hours.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required Courses
THDA 436	History of Theatre I	4
or THDA 438	History of Theatre II
THDA 459	Stagecraft	4
THDA 460	Elements of Design	4
THDA 462	Ballet I	4
or THDA 463	Theatre Dance I
THDA 551	Acting I	4
THDA 589	Practicum (A- D) ¹	4-8
THDA 799	Capstone Project	2
Select 12 credits of the following:		12
THDA 546	Costume Design for the Theatre
THDA 548	Stage Lighting Design and Execution
THDA 641	Stage Management
THDA 652	Scene Design
Select 12 credits of the following:		12
THDA 458	Costume Construction
THDA 475	Stage Makeup
THDA 541	Art and Theatre Administration
THDA 546	Costume Design for the Theatre
THDA 547	Stage Properties
THDA 548	Stage Lighting Design and Execution
THDA 641	Stage Management
THDA 650	Scene Painting for the Theatre
THDA 651	Rendering for the Theatre
THDA 652	Scene Design
THDA 741	Directing
Select 8 credits of the following:		8
ARTS 455	Architectural Design Studio
ARTS 525	Introductory Woodworking
ARTS 532	Introductory Drawing
ARTS 546	Painting Design I: Perceptual Painting and Color Theory
THDA 532	The London Experience
THDA 583	Introduction to Puppetry
THDA 691 & THDA 791	Internship and Internship in Theatre and Dance
THDA 795 & THDA 796	Independent Study and Independent Study
ENGL #531	Introduction to Drama: How to Read a Play
ENGL 657	Shakespeare
ENGL 746	Studies in American Drama
ENGL 758	Advanced Shakespeare
ENGL #781	English Drama, 1660-1800
Total Credits		58-62

The practicum ensures a breadth of experience in the major, including sets, costumes, lighting, props, box office, marketing, and performing. Students must register for practicum every semester. They are notified of their practicum assignment at the beginning of each semester.

Explore Program Details

Learning Outcomes

All students completing a major in the Department of Theatre and Dance should:

Develop a working knowledge of the development of theatre or dance through historical and literary study.
Develop a working knowledge of important artistic works that shaped the evolution of theatre or dance.
Develop a working knowledge of and demonstrate an ability to apply a fundamental skill level of the basic areas of theatre or dance production, including various areas related to performance, design, technology, and management.
Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze literary, scholarly and artistic works related to theatre or dance.
Demonstrate the ability to write with technical and analytical skill as well as artistic insight on theory, philosophy and artistry related to theatre or dance.

Option-Specific Learning Outcomes:
DESIGN & THEATRE TECHNOLOGY

In addition to the department-wide learning outcomes for THDA students in theatre, upon completion of the major a THDA student in the Design and Theatre Technology option will demonstrate:

Understand and apply the general principles and practices for each design/ tech area (set, costume, lighting, sound, and technical theatre).
Apply the knowledge, techniques, and technologies gained through the years of study to theatrical production creations.
Demonstrate the skills of script analysis, research, and critical thinking for design development.
Develop both conceptual creative process and practical problem-solving skills for artistic work.
Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills through writing, speaking, and visual presentation.
Develop critical assessment skills to evaluate the work of other students and to show improvement on their own work as a result of the collective feedback process.

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Theater and Dance

Theatre and Dance

Theatre Major: Design & Theatre Technology Option (B.A.)