The M.F.A. entertainment design program is committed to the philosophy of supporting the development of artists who will passionately embrace the interpretation of words into visual imagery. The program emphasizes the process of artistic collaboration, especially with directors; the pursuit of artistic skills, including drawing, painting and drafting, necessary for communication; the development of critical thought and the ability to articulate ideas; and the acquisition of professional standards that prepare the student for a meaningful and productive life in the theatre.
Training in design is based on a balance of classroom work and fully realized productions. The first year of study includes extensive classroom projects and the development of foundational artistic and collaborative skills, culminating in the design of the playwrights’ New Visions, New Voices festival. All students acquire comprehensive skills in scenery, costume and lighting design. The second year will focus on the student as a theatre designer, drawing upon prestigious programs of excellence in the Meadows School of the Arts and including designing in the Theatre Division season. During the third and master year, the student prepares for the professional world with opportunities to exercise collaborative, artistic and management skills not only in the Theatre Division, but also at professional venues that include, but are not limited to, the Dallas Theater Center and the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas.
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