Mar 29, 2024  
OHIO University Graduate Catalog 2020-21 
    
OHIO University Graduate Catalog 2020-21 [Archived Catalog]

Production Design - MFA


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Master of Fine Arts in Production Design

Production Design – MF5159

School of Theater
307 Kantner Hall
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
740.593.4818
theater@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring, Summer

Program Overview

The goal of the Production Design degree is to prepare students to understand and work in the professional theater. Our training provides a strong foundation in design and technology and the skills to compete in the professional market. We strive to provide students opportunities that will be a first step into their professional careers.

The first year of the Design program focuses on unleashing the imagination and examining the process of translating the text into visual images and images into practical physical reality. The second year emphasizes skills development and specialization in an area of concentration. The third year contains three primary elements: thesis project, portfolio refinement, and internship, as well as broadening skills. Design studies include at least one class per semester in the area of concentration (scenic, costume, lighting or sound design), plus skills building classes that relate to that area, such as rendering for costume designers, model buiilding for scenic designers, Vectorworks for lighting designers, etc. Participation in a specified production activity related to the student’s area of concentration is required each semester. These assignments include all aspects of the particular design area, so the design student is knowledgeable about how to achieve the design they visualize. 

All Production Design students are expected to:

  1. Attend at least one national convention yearly. Qualified students may be invited to participate in the annual National Design Portfolio Review.
  2. Spend their summers breaks working in professional theaters. Winter break may also be utilized for professional development.
  3. Complete an internship of at least 6-8 weeks in the third year at a major LORT or commercial theater in the United States or abroad if it can be arranged.
  4. Complete a thesis a main stage design assignment with all attendant materials.
  5. Complete a formal exit portfolio review demonstrating prevailing professional standards.

Total credit-hour requirements are based on a normal load of 15 credit hours per academic semester for six semesters of residency. Minimum course requirements for the three-year design MFA include 45 credits of core courses (including intradisciplinary, academic, and applied studies), at least 30 credits of specific area requirements (including studio courses and directed electives), and 15 credits of thesis studies for a total of 90 credits.

Concentrations

Areas of Specialization are: Scene Design, Lighting Design, Costume Design, and Sound Design

Program Learning Outcomes

Successful Theater M.F.A. students at Ohio University will:

  • Demonstrate heightened skills in professional presentation, collaboration and communication.
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of research practices, dramatic literature, theory and history.
  • Apply heightened skills and demonstrate a comprehension of theories and methodologies as they relate to professional practice in production design.

Opportunities for Graduates

The program is structured to allow specialization and to encourage dual area interests. Electives relevant to the student’s primary or secondary areas of interest are encouraged in the Schools of Film, Music, Dance, Art + Design, and Interdisciplinary Arts.

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/theater/mfa-production-design

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is by interview and portfolio review, conducted at the University Resident Theatre Association (URTA), the SETC conference, the annual USITT Conference & Stage Expo, as well as on the OHIO campus in Athens. Our recruiting season begins in late January/early February with the URTA event and tends to conclude by the end of April. The faculty is looking for talented students with the potential for advanced skills in theater design and/or related technology studies which may form the basis of a design foundation.  Candidates should have the ability to communicate practical, interesting production challenges and the means by which they resolved them as well as portfolio samples that demonstrate a potential toward professional growth.

In addition to the portfolio review/interview, an online application to Ohio University is required. That application requires a Bachelor’s degree, undergraduate transcripts, 3 letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.  If a talented student has a GPA of less than 3.0, the student will enter on probationary status, and be re-evaluated at the end of the first semester’s work. A visit to inspect the facilities and an interview with the design staff is encouraged. The GRE is NOT required for this program. International students must consult the University webpage for international studies for further information on such topics as the TOEFL, speak test, visas, and others.

International Students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Graduation Requirements

Complete a minimum of 90 hours and other requirements as follows:

Theater and Performance Studies


Complete a minimum of 9 hours in theater and performance studies courses.

Introduction to Graduate Studies


Complete the introductory theater graduate course:

Theater History and Criticism


Complete a minimum of 6 hours from among the following courses:

  • THAR 57XX, THAR 67XX, THAR 77XX
  • IART 5XXX or higher
  • Other courses as approved by the program director

Intradisciplinary Studies


Complete a minimum of 15 hours in intradisciplinary courses as follows:

Applied Studies


These courses are variable credit hour and repeatable. A minimum of 21 credit hours of applied studies is required.

Internship


Complete a minimum of 9 hours in Design and Production internship.

Studio Coursework


Complete a minimum of 24 hours of studio coursework. Students may select from any Production Design and Technology courses at the 5000-level or higher:

  • THAR 53XX, THAR 63XX, THAR 73XX except THAR 6350, THAR 7350, or THAR 7380

Thesis Portfolio


Complete a minimum of 15 hours of thesis portfolio coursework as follows:

Directed Electives


Complete a minimum of 6 additional credit hours in any graduate courses approved by the academic advisor.

Culminating Experience


Materials to meet the culminating requirements are developed throughout the program of study. Degree candidates must create and defend a thesis project. A comprehensive portfolio portfolio of work must also be presented to the thesis committee for approval.

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