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Theater Design and Technology B.F.A.

The theater design and technology program allows you to specialize in design (set, costume or lighting) or the technical aspects of theater, including scene construction, properties and sound design.
A group of actors in costume gather around a bar on stage in a scene from Failure: A Love Story
A scene from "Failure: A Love Story," presented as part of a recent Department of Drama season.

About this Program

  • Combine classroom and experiential learning.
  • Design drama department main stage productions and work collaboratively with faculty directors, designers and the professional staff of Syracuse Stage, a professional theater company that shares a theater complex with the department.
  • Intern in Syracuse Stage’s technical production shops if you're an eligible senior.
  • Work in our newly expanded and renovated Theater Design Center and the variety of performance spaces in the Syracuse Stage/Drama theater complex.
  • Experience immersive learning opportunities in New York City; Los Angeles; London, England (in partnership with Rose Bruford College); and Florence, Italy.
  • Collaborate with community members with disabilities to co-create theater in an inclusive environment through All Star C.A.S.T. (Community Actors and Students’ Theater) workshops.
  • Benefit from a strong, supportive alumni network.
  • Students have the option to join the Design Living Learning Community.
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Program Information

Degree Type

Major

Outcome

B.F.A.

Modality

In-person

College or School

Career Path

Related Pages

A woman looks at large color photos coming out of a printer while a man works on a computer in the background.

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Home to the visual and performing arts at Syracuse University, VPA supports the creative process and professional development of its students. VPA is divided into seven areas: the School of Art; the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies; the School of Design; the Department of Drama; the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music; the Department of Film and Media Arts; and the Department of Creative Arts Therapy.
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Curriculum

Drama requirements: 42 credits

Stage management requirements: 44 credits

Theater laboratory: 0 credits

Drama electives: 8 credits

Academic requirements: 6 credits

Academic electives: 23 credits

Total Credits Required: 124

Extracurricular Opportunities

Study abroad opportunity

London Semester

Theater design and technology majors can participate in Syracuse Abroad’s World Partner program with Rose Bruford College in London. The campus provides excellent facilities that include two theaters; two fully equipped black box studio theaters; a costume and wardrobe complex for costume construction and maintenance; two digital recording studios; two fully equipped lighting design laboratories; a scenic workshop complex; and theater design studios with CAD facilities.

Study abroad opportunity

Florence Semester

Theater design and technology majors can study at the Syracuse Abroad center in Florence, Italy, where you can participate in internships through theater or opera venues in addition being exposed to the city’s rich cultural resources.

Immersion opportunity

Tepper Semester

The Tepper Semester is a rigorous artistic training program that allows you to live and study in the heart of the New York professional theater scene. You will take classes at Syracuse University’s Fisher Center and attend up to 30 productions on and off Broadway that expose you to numerous genres of theater. You will learn about the artistic process from the prominent faculty as well as other industry professionals who attend your classes on a weekly basis for workshops and discussion. You will also have an internship.

Immersion opportunity

VPA LA Semester

The VPA LA Semester is an immersive professional development program that provides you with the opportunity to work as an intern in Los Angeles while taking academic courses taught by LA professionals with expertise in their given disciplines. The program is designed to broaden your understanding of career opportunities and gain skills to network and succeed in your career.

Related Programs

  • Acting B.F.A.

    The acting program provides emerging theater artists with rigorous training in performance technique, text analysis, creative improvisation, voice, speech and movement.

  • Drama (Theater Management) B.S.

    The B.S. drama program features a theater management track, which allows you to gain firsthand knowledge of a professional theater company’s operations by working with Syracuse Stage professionals.

  • Stage Management B.F.A.

    In our step-by-step program, you’ll learn and apply a method of stage managing that is used in every major professional theater company in both the United States and abroad.

Learn more about this program

Theater Design and Technology B.F.A.
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