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.
People
Related Programs
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
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.
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