The Design/Tech BFA program prepares candidates for entry-level positions in the areas of design, management, technology and craft professions in theatre and other parts of the entertainment industry. Upon completing this program, some students advance to graduate-level professional training at a variety of institutions throughout the country. Undergraduate Design/Tech majors have the opportunity to study and work in all areas, including Scenery Design, Construction & Rigging, Costume Design and Construction, Lighting Design, Properties Design & Construction, and Sound Design. Coursework combines with practical work on CRT productions. Advanced undergraduates with particular promise often serve as assistant designers or designers for CRT Studio Works productions.

Outstanding undergraduates have even worked as principal designers of CRT Mainstage productions. Informal assessments by the Design/Technical faculty in the student's freshman and sophomore years are helpful in providing feedback, sharpening focus and encouraging candidates with demonstrated an aptitude to continue in the program. Junior and senior BFA Design/Tech majors participate in portfolio reviews at the end of each semester and are encouraged to enter U/RTA (University and Regional Theatre Association) Final Competitions in New York City in January to compete for positions in Professional Regional Theatres and member graduate school programs throughout the country.

Unlike many fields of study in which students take few courses in their major during their early semesters, BFA Dramatic Arts Students begin intensive training in their chosen field immediately upon entering UConn. In a BFA program, approximately half of your college courses are in your chosen field of study. Most of the remaining credits you will take constitute the university's General Education Requirements in writing, math, history, humanities, science and social science. You will take from one to three general education courses per semester, depending on your semester standing.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

Technological Requirements: All Design/Tech BFA & MFA students must have a laptop that meet the department's minimum requirements. Requirements can be seen here.

B.F.A. IN DESIGN AND TECHNICAL THEATRE SUPPLEMENTARY SCHOLASTIC STANDARDS POLICY

To be considered in good standing, B.F.A. in Design and Technical Theatre students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 for all graded coursework as it appears on their university transcript. Design and Technical Theatre majors must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 based on all courses required within the major.

At the end of each semester all students are required to fully participate in the “Semester Review Exhibition Gallery” which affords faculty the opportunity to meaningfully assess each student’s progression and offer a recurring time to evaluate status. Through this, each student will be evaluated twice a year. Students with a grade point deficiency or who are found by their major advisor and/or faculty to have failed to maintain adequate progress and/or development will be placed on departmental scholastic probation.

Students on departmental scholastic probation are not eligible to be considered for leadership opportunities in departmental productions, nor are they eligible for funded field studies or conferences, or other special opportunities without an extenuating exception approved by the faculty.

During the subsequent semester, the student will have the opportunity to improve their standing. In the event that the student’s standing does not rise to the minimum level, they will be subject to dismissal from the B.F.A. in Design and Technical Theatre.

SEMESTER REVIEW EXHIBITION POLICY

All Design and Technical Theatre students are required to participate in the “Semester Review Exhibition Gallery” when held each term. Participation is defined as meaningfully supporting the load in, presentation, and strike of the exhibition as assessed by the faculty.

The Semester Review Exhibition is a pedagogical cornerstone of our program with the following goals:

• Create an opportunity for students to practice the essential skills of public speaking/interviewing/presenting, which is prevalent especially in our “freelance” focused industry.
• Create real world connections and job prospects, network within the industry and with collaborators beyond any individual’s discipline, and scaffold career support beyond four years.
• Create an opportunity for students to practice the essential skill of self-assessment and self-evaluation in order to become participants in their own education.
• Assess individual progress and preparedness as students move through our program and in doing so equitably evaluate what the next steps are for each student’s path in the program.

PLAN OF STUDY FOR THEATRICAL DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Year 1 will usually have 1000 level courses, 2 will be 2000, 3 will be 3000 and 4 will be 4000 level.

1st Year

FALL Semester

DRAM 1201: Drafting for the Theatre
DRAM 1216: Production Studio: Lighting and Sound
DRAM 1207: Fundamentals of Design

Other general education requirements, as appropriate.
~16 credits

SPRING Semester

DRAM 1202: Computer Drafting for the Theatre
DRAM 1209: Drawing and Painting Techniques for the Theatre
DRAM 1218/1217: Production Studio: Stagecraft/or Costumes & Makeup
DRAM 3199: Connecticut Repertory Theatre Production Assignment

Other general education requirements, as appropriate.
~18 credits

2nd Year

FALL Semester

DRAM 2130: History of Drama I
DRAM 3401: Costume History
DRAM 3501: Lighting Design I
DRAM 2141: Script Analysis
DRAM 3199: Connecticut Repertory Theatre Production Assignment

Other general education requirements, as appropriate.
~18 credits

SPRING Semester

DRAM 2131: History of Drama II
DRAM 3220: Sound Design
*DRAM 3402/3502: Design elective: Costume Design/ or Lighting II
DRAM 1217/1218: Production Studio: Costumes & Makeup/or Stagecraft
DRAM 3199: Connecticut Repertory Theatre Production Assignment (Assist or Crew Head)

Other general education requirements, as appropriate.
~18 credits

3rd Year

FALL Semester

DRAM 3201: Scene Construction
DRAM 3301: Scene Design I
DRAM 3130/3131W: Women in Theatre/or African-American Theatre
DRAM 3199: Connecticut Repertory Theatre Production Assignment (Assist or Small Design)

Other general education requirements, as appropriate.
~18 credits

SPRING Semester

*DRAM 3302/3202/3603  3-credit Elective (Scene Design II/Rigging/Puppetry)
DRAM 3103: Stage Management for the Theatre
DRAM 3138/3139: Trends in Contemporary Theatre/or Theatre & Human Rights
DRAM 3199: Connecticut Repertory Theatre Production Assignment (Asst or Small Design)

Other general education requirements, as appropriate.
~12-15 credits

4th Year

FALL Semester

DRAM 3199: Connecticut Repertory Theatre Production Assignment (Asst or CRT Design)
*DRAM 4135W: Period Studies in Theatre
*DRAM 4151: American Film
DRAM 4711W: Directing
*DRAM 5000: Possible graduate level design class

Other general education requirements, as appropriate.
~12-15 credits

SPRING Semester

DRAM 3199: Connecticut Repertory Theatre Production Assignment (Asst or CRT Design)
*DRAM 3141/3142/3145: Playwriting/Dramaturgy I/Film Writing I
DRAM 3402/3502: Design elective: Costume Design/ or Lighting II/ or Puppet Arts
*DRAM 4152: World Film
*DRAM 5000 level: Possible graduate level design elective

Other general education requirements, as appropriate.
~12-15 credits

124 – 133 credits (120 credits are required to graduate)

* = Elective