Theatre Design & Technology (B.F.A.)
Design Your Future
Seton Hill's B.F.A. in Theatre Design and Technology combines foundational coursework with tiered-level training and specialization as diverse as the individuals interested in this major. Creative exercise and practical experience in areas such as scenic, lighting, costume and sound design, as well as production and management for the theatre, will prepare you for professional work or graduate studies.
Why the Theatre Design and Technology Program at Seton Hill University?
Hands-On Learning as You Create a Professional Portfolio
The Theatre Design and Technology Program at Seton Hill University will give you multiple and varied opportunities for hands-on work through course assignments and in live stage productions. As you grow in skills, knowledge and confidence, you will earn opportunities to co-design or design, assist in a build, technically produce or stage manage a full production. As you accumulate experiences, you build your professional portfolio.
Career-Relevant Courses
Courses in the Theatre Design and Technology Program are comprehensive in scope and designed to give you the best foundation for work in the field. Topics include:
- Theatre Production
- Theatre Costume Design
- Theatre Lighting Design
- Theatre Set Design
- Theatre Sound Design
- Stage Management
- Stage Makeup Design
Extensive and Varied Production Opportunities
The Department of Theatre and Dance produces five full-length productions and many studio productions each season at Seton Hill's Performing Arts Center. A typical season includes two full-length productions, one full-length musical, and two dance concerts. Offering an array of technical opportunities in a variety of performance styles each semester, each production is run with the industry-standard model that you will encounter outside of Seton Hill University. Starting with your first semester at Seton Hill University, you will be involved in a production. You can choose between lighting/sound, props/paint, costumes or the scene shop. Each shop also offers work-study positions for eligible students.
Experienced Working-Artist Faculty
At Seton Hill, you'll learn from skilled faculty in the School of Visual and Performing Arts who have a variety of experiences in all areas of the visual and performing arts and still work professionally outside Seton Hill University. They continually work to create a challenging, exciting and encouraging learning environment for all students. The Theatre and Dance Department also hosts guest directors, choreographers and designers each semester. These guest artists share their experience with students, giving them a fresh take on the process of creating a production.
Learning at an Apple Distinguished School
Seton Hill is continually designated an Apply Distinguished School for the strength of its Mobile Learning on the Hill Program. Traditional full-time students at Seton Hill receive a MacBook Air laptop and enjoy a tech-savvy and supportive campus environment.
Scholarships Just for Students in the Arts
Seton Hill offers scholarships just for visual and performing arts majors. To apply for for one of these scholarships as a theatre design and technology major, you will be required to present work samples and complete an interview. This provides an opportunity for you to showcase your artistic skills, and for the faculty to learn about the types of work you have done thus far and your goals and ambitions as a theatre artist and technician. Learn more about the process here.
Internships & Careers
Theatre Design and Technology students are required to have an internship as part of their course of study. Students in the Theatre and Dance Department have a long track record of success obtaining important internships and apprenticeships, and becoming working artists and designers. Past internships include Pittsburgh Public Theater, City Theatre, Des Moines Metro Opera, Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre, Glimmerglass Opera, Weston Playhouse and TAIT.
Seton Hill University has a nationally recognized Career and Professional Development Center.Seton Hill's award-winning Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) will work with you, your professors and local, regional and national employers to prepare you with the career preparation skills, internship opportunities and placement services that you need - as a student and after you graduate.
Faculty
Kerra Alexander
Adjunct Faculty
Ken Clothier
Assistant Professor - Resident Designer
Joseph Domencic
Associate Professor of Musical Theatre and Theatre
Karen Glass
Assistant Professor of Theatre - Resident Scenic Designer
Girard Holt
Adjunct Ballet Instructor, Choreographer
Lisa Leibering
Assistant Professor Costume Design and Technology
Denise Pullen
Co-Chair, Associate Professor of Theatre
TaMara Swank
Assistant Professor, Department Coordinator, Dance
Kellee VanAken
Dean, School of the Visual and Performing Arts, Department Chair, Theatre and Dance, Associate Professor of Theatre
Caila Yates
Technical Director/Production Manager