Academic programs

To inquire about this program:
Theatre Admission Office | 773-325-7999
Department site: http://theatreschool.depaul.edu/undergraduate_application_scenic_design.php

The Theatre School's Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) degree in Scenic Design is designed to give students the opportunity to explore and expand their artistic and visual expression and provides them the opportunity to practice their craft. The four-year curriculum in many ways simulates a scenic designer?s professional experience and process. Designers learn to visualize and create the physical world of plays by collaborating with directors, dramaturgs, other designers and technicians and our professional scene shop staff who build the sets they design.

Students learn from a distinguished and award-winning faculty of professional designers and artists both in the classroom and through individual guidance and advising during production work. Students receive formal and informal feedback from faculty through portfolio presentations and exhibits of their work each year.

The program focuses on thorough text analysis as a basis for the development of a supportive visual concept, as well as on its implementation. The development of communication and collaboration skills with directors and other production team members is emphasized. Students are also trained in graphic communication skills: drawing, drafting, rendering, model-making. Practical experience is gained, first by working on a variety of crews, through assignments as assistants to other student or faculty designers, and finally by designing scenery for a realized production. Generally, students will design between one and three realized productions during their academic career in a variety of spaces. Design assignments are commensurate with skill level. In addition, students are encouraged, though not required, to complete a professional internship in their final year.

The goal of the program is to teach the skills necessary to work as professional designers, scenic artists, and assistants. Graduates enter their fields with a wide range of skills and are employed by theatres, production companies, commercial shops, theme parks, exhibit companies and film and television studios.