About our Design/Production Program

WHAT KIND OF DESIGN/PRODUCTION DEGREES DOES UMBC OFFER?
The UMBC Department of Theatre offers a B.A. in Theatre with an emphasis in Design/Production. The emphasis can be in Scenery, Costume, Lighting Design, Sound Design and Stage Management.

DO YOU REQUIRE A PORTFOLIO REVIEW FOR ACCEPTANCE INTO YOUR PROGRAM?
As a prospective student, you are not required to have a portfolio review unless you apply for the Linehan Artist Scholars Program. In either case, we do recommend that you contact the theatre office and meet with one of the design/ production faculty to learn more about the program and to discuss your interests.

WILL I HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DESIGN?
A student who has met the following criteria will be considered for a design position with a studio production:

Completed all required design courses

Assisted a faculty designer on a production

Revealed dependability and the ability to work within a schedule

Impressed the faculty with design skill

DO I HAVE TO BE AN UPPERCLASSMAN TO VOLUNTEER TO WORK ON DEPARTMENTAL PRODUCTIONS?
Any theatre major or minor may work on departmental productions. You can receive credit for working on many aspects of a production, from building costumes and sets to hanging lights or stage managing. All running crews-set, lights, sound, wardrobe and make-up can also be taken for credit. Starting as a freshman with Introduction to Scenography and Introduction to Costume, and continuing with Production Techniques and Stage Management there are many ways to earn credit for all the hard work technicians and artisans do behind the scenes.

WHAT THEATRE CLASSES WOULD I TAKE IN MY FRESHMAN YEAR?
Many of our courses are taught in sequence and some lower level courses are prerequisites for some upper level courses. Therefore, it is imperative that you take particular courses in your freshman year to allow yourself to fulfill all of your requirements both for your major and for the university.

Your first semester would include the following:

THTR 202	Introduction to Dramatic Literature [3]
THTR 100	Introduction to Scenography [3]
THTR 104	Introduction to Costume [3]
THTR 110	Introduction to Acting [3]

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A DESIGN/PRODUCTION DEGREE IN THEATRE?
Our students find internship opportunities at local and regional theatres and they obtain positions with opera, music and other arts organizations. Some of them use their expertise to gain employment at local theatrical sales firms. A recent graduate received a stage management internship at the Round House Theatre in Maryland. Another was hired as an Assistant Technical Director at that same theatre. And a third is now the Assistant Head of Wardrobe for Cirque du Soleil. Theatre faculty advisors work closely with students to recommend professional internships and to offer guidance to those who are motivated to apply to graduate school.

I AM A TRANSFER STUDENT. WHAT CLASSES WOULD I NEED TO TAKE?
Each transfer student who wishes to major in design and production must set up an appointment with the theatre department chair to review the theatre courses from the previous college. It is critical that as a transfer student you do not register for classes before holding this meeting. To schedule a meeting fill out the Contact Us form with your request or call 410 455-2917.