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MFA in Lighting Design

Our Master of Fine Arts in Lighting Design program provides developing theatre professionals with the opportunity to cultivate their own individual artistic identity, and innovative and collaborative creative process, while refining and enhancing their craft.

Our program seeks to:

Enhance artistic expression, critical thinking, communication, and design skills through hands-on, mentored experiences within a wide range of production opportunities and classroom instruction.

Explore creative collaborations to tell important stories to today's audiences.

Create inclusive and accessible forms of theatrical expression for the next generation.

MFA Lighting Design students are being prepared for substantive careers in the professional world of theatre and the related performing arts. Training includes a rigorous curriculum, design opportunities, and exposure to the profession. Students are regularly mentored by working professional faculty and advisors through their studio coursework; hands-on, in-process Theatre in Practice advising; and end-of-term conferences.

Financial aid is available to some students in the form of scholarships, living stipends, and teaching assistantships. Admission is highly selective, with the School of Theatre admitting one to three students each year into the Lighting Design program.

Curriculum Highlights

Robust schedule of guest artists, workshops, and intensives for special topics.

Mentored portfolio and resume development, with introductions to Professional Theatre Initiative affiliates for summer opportunities following the first year.

Funded presentation at the National Design Portfolio Review, Showcase West, or the Hemsley Lighting Portfolio Review at the successful completion of the program.

Curated portfolio and introduction to professional theatre and live performing arts industry network contacts provided at the successful completion of the program.

Learning Outcomes

The Lighting Design program aims to develop a complete theatre artist by fostering a passion for theatre, storytelling, design, and the collaborative process. Through their required coursework and design assignments, Lighting Design students will:

Demonstrate a deep understanding of theatre as an art form and the essential role it plays in contemporary society.

Demonstrate spoken and written critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills in an arts-based discipline.

Demonstrate an ability to enrich creative storytelling and take artistic risks.

Demonstrate an awareness of and ability to engage in the diverse community of theatre artists.

Demonstrate a high level of artistic, interpretive, and craft skills and techniques in Lighting Design as a foundation for entering into a career in theatre and the live performing arts.

Program of Study

(minimum of 60 units‡)

First Year

1st

2nd

CFA TH 701 Graduate Salon

CFA TH 607 Collaboration Forum 1

CFA TH 549 Theatre in Practice

CFA TH 539 Production

CFA TH 639 & 640 Lighting Design Studio 1 & 2

CFA TH 707 & 708 Scenography Studio 1 & 2

Approved elective(s)

Total units (minimum)

Second Year

CFA TH 701 Graduate Salon

CFA TH 549 Theatre in Practice

CFA TH 539 Production

CFA TH 739 & 740 Lighting Design Studio 3 & 4

CFA TH 807 & 808 Scenography Studio 3 & 4

Approved elective(s)