The BFA in Theatre: Design, Technology, and Management is one of the top Design, Technology and Management programs, preparing students to create for professional theatre, live entertainment, and media, including film and television. Students gain hands-on experience in design, technology, and theatre management, with opportunities to focus on scenic, costume, lighting, sound, or performance. Close mentorship from active faculty and guest artists, along with extensive practicum work, prepares students for successful careers in the field.
The BFA Theatre: Design, Technology, and Management curriculum combines design, technical, and production training with liberal arts and theatre history. Students develop skills in stagecraft, costumes, lighting, sound, and props while participating in rehearsals and productions. Training takes place in six professional-style performance spaces, including the Alexander Kasser Theatre, Memorial Auditorium, and the L. Howard Fox Theatre.
BFA Theatre: Design, Technology, and Management students gain hands-on experience in design, production, and technical theatre, from scenery and costumes to lighting, sound, and stage management. Students work on departmental productions, Peak Performances shows, and summer apprenticeships, while attending hundreds of professional events on campus each year, all free to them.
Faculty members and visiting professionals – including internationally renowned celebrity guest artists and artists-in-residence – mentor our Theatre and Dance students each semester. These working professionals share insights gleaned from their professional experiences in the “real world” of theatre with students in studio workshops, seminars, and lectures. Faculty mentoring can often lead to opportunities beyond the classroom.
From working on productions at PEAK Performances to the Department of Theatre and Dance’s acclaimed productions, collaborate with professionals on set to gain hands-on experiences at the university’s numerous performance spaces and auditoriums.
Students have opportunities to hone their skills on productions on- and off- campus in:
- Designing scenery and props
- Using drafting, rendering and model-making skills in scenic design
- Designing hair and makeup
- Designing lighting and sound
- Costume, scenic, lighting and sound technologies.
- Stage management
- Production management
Students also are able to work during summer breaks as apprentices with established area theatres. The Department of Theatre and Dance produces 7-10 musicals and plays, as well as three dance concerts, each year. Visit our Productions and Student-Work Gallery pages to see examples of current and past student production and design work.
Students learn by watching as well as doing, and are encouraged to attend more than 500 professional events on campus each year, including those presented by the Theatre and Dance Department as well as by Montclair’s Peak Performances program of theatre, dance and music productions. Students are admitted FREE to these campus events.
Career development is an integral part of the student experience at College of the Arts and a seasoned team of professionals is available to help place students with internships, and job search assistance, and offer resume review and career planning services.
Careers in Theatre: Design, Technology and Management
Montclair State boasts exceptional performance facilities with impressive technical specifications. You will perform in six well-equipped theatres, including the state-of-the-art Alexander Kasser Theater; the 946-seat Memorial Auditorium; our 2000-seat amphitheater, and the intimate L. Howard Fox Theatre.
This exceptional range of performance spaces reflects industry opportunities and prepares students for future performances in a variety of settings.
To apply to the BFA in Theatre: Design, Technology and Management Concentration Program, or to any Department of Theatre and Dance program, please visit Department Admissions.
For additional information about our programs, please visit us to tour the facilities and/or plan to attend one of our Arts Days and Open Houses.