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Appalachian State University

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Theatre Arts (BA) - Theatre Design/Technology

About

Are you interested in behind-the-scenes work in the theatre arts? Appalachian State University’s Theatre Arts (BA) - Theatre Design/Technology concentration prepares students for production work in the entertainment industry – particularly costuming and makeup, scenery and props, lighting and sound, and stage management. The program offers hands-on design and technical experiences both in the classroom and on departmental productions.

This degree serves students who desire a more technically focused program than the Theatre Arts (BA) - General Theatre concentration. If you are ambitious, hardworking and show initiative, there is a wide variety of employment opportunities in this field. Our graduates find employment with theater companies, as well as with production companies, cruise lines, theme parks, architectural firms, museums, etc.

The Department of Theatre and Dance has performances most weeks of the academic year. Design-Technology students implement the technical elements of these productions, taking on progressively more complex projects over the course of their studies. Paid employment opportunities in the department’s Scene Shop and Costume Shop provide complementary experiences, as do summer opportunities in professional theater and production. Each year students in the program travel to the United States Institute of Theatre Technology Conference for further specialized training, networking and job interviews.

After Graduation

Employment: Our students have been employed at a variety of theater and entertainment companies, including:

  • Barter Theatre
  • Berkeley Playhouse
  • Cirque du Soleil
  • Disney Cruise Lines
  • Glimmerglass Festival Opera
  • Flat Rock Playhouse
  • North Carolina Shakespeare Festival
  • Santa Fe Opera
  • Texas Shakespeare Festival
  • Utah Festival Opera
  • Utah Shakespearean Festival
  • Walt Disney World

Graduate Schools: Those pursuing graduate school have been accepted at well-respected graduate programs including UNC School of the Arts, Cincinnati College and Conservatory of Music, UNC-Chapel Hill, Boston University and Yale University.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Alumna Profile: Cat Tate Starmer ’98
    Alumna Profile: Cat Tate Starmer ’98

    While attending Appalachian, Cat Tate Starmer ’98 didn’t want to be in the spotlight — she wanted to operate it. Now she is an award-winning freelance theatrical and architectural lighting designer based in New York City.

  • Faculty Profile: Michael Helms

    Michael Helms has extensive experience in designing scenery and lighting and directing in higher education as well as professional productions.

    Meet more faculty

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • Theatre Arts (BA) - Theatre Education
  • Theatre Arts (BA) – Theatre Performance
  • Theatre Arts (BA) - General Theatre
  • Dance Studies (BA)

Minors

A minor is required.  Students choose to minor in a variety of fields. Some of these minor programs include:

  • Apparel and Textiles
  • Studio Art
  • Art History
  • Commercial Photography
  • English
  • General Business
  • Math
  • Spanish
  • History
  • Communication

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

A variety of clubs in the department include technical theatre, musical theatre, and dance. These clubs are active in producing works and performances.

An active theatre production season each year features student actors, designers, technicians, and more.

Appalachian Young People’s Theatre (AYPT) performs for young people and in 2012 celebrated 40 years of touring shows to schools and other venues in North Carolina.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

This program sponsors one regularly scheduled study abroad program: Theatre in Europe Past and Present.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in this major must complete an admission interview with the Theatre and Dance design/technology faculty and staff prior to admission to the program.

New students may apply and interview in either the Fall or the Spring semester. You are encouraged to bring any portfolio materials you may have for informal sharing during this interview.

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Why Appalachian?

  • This program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
  • Appalachian has no graduate program in theatre, so students learn alongside their peers, competing on an even playing field in programs designed for undergraduates.
  • Because the Department of Theatre and Dance houses two arts areas, students have freedom to explore performance and production from multiple vantage points.
  • This program is flexible enough to allow work in specialized focused areas for interested students.
  • Our students have been consistently recognized by the Kennedy Center / American College Theatre Festival for excellence in both design and technical work.

Location

On campus

Careers

Some of these jobs may require education beyond a bachelor’s degree.

  • Artist
  • College Teacher
  • Creative Director
  • Director, Arts Council
  • Director, Nonprofit Arts Organization
  • Playwright
  • Producer
  • Set designerc
  • Stage Manager
  • Talent Scout
  • Theater Camp Director
  • Theater Teacher

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Fine and Applied Arts

Department of Theatre and Dance

John Marty
Coordinator
martyjt@appstate.edu
828-262-6374

  • Department of Theatre and Dance

    The Department of Theatre and Dance is one of seven departments housed in Appalachian’s College of Fine and Applied Arts. Its mission is to facilitate transformative experiences for students and the public, which cultivate compassionate, creative and collaborative communities through theatre and dance. The department also offers coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Its dynamic cocurricular production program provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community and the region. Learn more at https://theatreanddance.appstate.edu.

  • College of Fine and Applied Arts

    Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of academic departments including Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.

    The College of Fine and Applied Arts is characterized by the educational approach of integrating theory and practice, offering students the knowledge and experience for continued education or employment. Programs within the College feature opportunities for hands-on experiential learning, international experiences and interdisciplinary engagement. The College emphasizes undergraduate teaching, while being active in grants and sponsored research. The College of Fine and Applied Arts provides a vibrant educational atmosphere, fostering the very best in teaching and learning.

    We offer:

    • BS, BA, and BFA degrees in 30 academic concentrations or specializations
    • MS degrees in 4 concentrations
    • Army ROTC program

    Community Service:

    Our students and faculty find unique ways to bring community service into the learning experience through experiences such as campus and community workshops, after-school programs for area school children, and work with local non-profits.

    Industry and Community Involvement:

    All departments are highly involved with their industry counterparts and seek opportunities to work with community partners. In addition, each department has an advisory board of industry professionals that assist in program development, internships, job placement and fundraising.

    International Education:

    The College of Fine and Applied Arts wants all students to have the opportunity for international learning experiences and has offered programs in:

    • Austria
    • China
    • Costa Rica
    • Cuba
    • Dominican Republic
    • England
    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • Mexico
    • New Zealand
    • Nicaragua
    • Panama
    • Poland
    • Rwanda
    • South Africa
    • Taiwan

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