Nov 24, 2024

OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25

Production Design and Technology Major (B.F.A.)

Major code BF5162

College of Fine Arts
School of Theater
Kantner Hall 307B
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.4818
theater@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/theater

Merri Biechler, contact person
biechler@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The B.F.A. in Production Design and Technology is available for an emphasis on the environmental aspects of performance. Design and technology skills, concepts and techniques for scenery, costumes, lighting, properties, sound, and crafts are taught in a series of courses and special projects throughout the four-year curriculum. Productions are prepared under the close personal advisement and participation of the production faculty and staff. Qualified students are challenged with major creative technical or managerial responsibilities.

During the first two years, students should complete much of the Theater Core and General Education requirements. In consultation with their advisor, students will be directed to take production design technology foundation courses at the 2000-level and above. The final two years are directed toward honing skills and building a portfolio based on design and technology courses suited to student’s career goals and aspirations.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

Students wishing to enter the School of Theater’s Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program (B.F.A.) must audition/interview for entrance into the program. Students must also apply and meet the general University requirements in order to be accepted.

Change of Program Policy

Students interested in Production Design and Technology are expected to complete the Theater Foundation Core during their First Year of study. Interviews for all School of Theater specialized BFA programs are held annually. Admission to this specialized BFA program is based on an Interview and Portfolio Presentation with the faculty. All theater majors are required to attain a minimum grade of C (2.0) in any theater course required for graduation. A student who is struggling academically or programmatically will receive a letter of concern or be placed on probation.

External Transfer Admission

Opportunities Upon Graduation

Students completing their BFA in Production Design and Technology commonly choose to enter the professional market for performing arts companies, specialized production companies, professional internships, or pursue graduate study.

Requirements

University-wide Graduation Requirements

Ohio University requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for the conferral of a bachelor’s degree. This program can be completed within that 120-hour requirement. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other university-wide requirements, please review the Graduation Requirements – University-wide page.

Theater B.F.A. Core

Complete all core courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

First Year Foundation

Complete the following courses:

THAR 1393 - Fundamentals of Costume and Scenic Design Principles and Technology Practices Credit Hours: 4
THAR 1394 - Fundamentals of Lighting and Sound Design Principles and Stage Management Credit Hours: 4
THAR 1730 - Fundamentals of Play Analysis and Playwriting Credit Hours: 3

Complete two of the following courses:

THAR 1110 - Fundamentals of Performance I Credit Hours: 3
THAR 1111 - Fundamentals of Performance II Credit Hours: 3
THAR 1130 - Acting Fundamentals I Credit Hours: 3
THAR 2130 - Acting Fundamentals II Credit Hours: 3
THAR 2180 - Voice and Speech Training Credit Hours: 3

Theater History

Complete the following courses:

THAR 2710 - Theater and Performance History I Credit Hours: 3
THAR 2711 - Theater and Performance History II Credit Hours: 3

Upper Level History and Criticism

Complete two of the following courses. All eligible courses are repeatable.

THAR 4710 - Seminar in Theater History and Drama: Selected Topics Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4720 - Forms of Drama Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4730 - American Theater and Drama Credit Hours: 3

Upper Level Literature

Complete one ENG course at the 3000-level or above. Recommended is ENG 3010 Shakespeare or ENG 3020 Topics in Shakespeare .

Production Practicum

Complete at least three of the following courses for a minimum total of 6 hours. All eligible courses are repeatable.

THAR 2300 - Practicum in Production Design Credit Hours: 1 - 4
THAR 2600 - Practicum in Production Stage Management Credit Hours: 1 - 6
THAR 3300 - Practicum in Production Design Credit Hours: 1 - 4
THAR 3600 - Practicum in Production Stage Management Credit Hours: 1 - 6
THAR 4700 - Practicum in Dramaturgy Credit Hours: 1 - 6

B.F.A. in Production Design and Technology Requirements

Complete all THAR courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Design Skills

Complete the following course:

THAR 2390 - Theatrical Design Skills: The Text and Concept Credit Hours: 3

Technology Skills

Complete two of the following courses:

THAR 2350 - Stagecraft: Scenery Credit Hours: 3
THAR 2360 - Stagecraft: Costume Construction Credit Hours: 3
THAR 2387 - Stage Makeup and Character Design Credit Hours: 1 - 3
THAR 3319 - Stage Electrics Credit Hours: 3
THAR 3330 - Scene Painting Credit Hours: 1 - 3
THAR 3361 - Costume Technology I: Pattern Development and Construction Credit Hours: 3
THAR 3380 - Introduction to Props and Crafts Techniques Credit Hours: 1 - 3
THAR 4350 - Technical Direction Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4351 - Stage Rigging Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4352 - Welding for the Theater Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4353 - Studies in Stage Automation Systems Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4381 - Advanced Crafts Techniques Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4382 - Advanced Properties Construction and Organization for the Stage Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4383 - Advanced Props Techniques: Furniture Construction Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4384 - Advanced Props Techniques: Steel Work Credit Hours: 3

Design Studies

Complete one of the following courses:

THAR 3399 - Scenography: Exploring the Creative Vision Credit Hours: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

THAR 3310 - Lighting Design I Credit Hours: 3
THAR 3390 - Design Skills - Figure Drawing and Costume Illustration Techniques Credit Hours: 3
THAR 3391 - Theatrical Design Skills: The Space Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4301 - Scenography Seminar Credit Hours: 1 - 3
THAR 4312 - Lighting Design: Cueing Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4320 - Costume Design Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4340 - Scene Design Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4370 - Theatrical Sound Design Credit Hours: 3
THAR 4390 - Creating the Realized Design/Main Stage Process Credit Hours: 3

Visual History

Complete one of the following courses:

AH 2110 - From Caves to Calligraphy: Global Art + Design I Credit Hours: 4
AH 2130 - From Gutenberg to Google: Global Art + Design II Credit Hours: 4
AH 3500 - Principles of Architecture Credit Hours: 3
ART 3640 - History of Furniture and Interior Design I Credit Hours: 3
ART 3650 - History of Furniture and Interior Design II Credit Hours: 3
THAR 3396 - Design History I: Period Styles Credit Hours: 3
THAR 3397 - Design History II: Costume Survey Credit Hours: 3
THAR 3398 - Design History III: 20th- Century Clothing and Culture Credit Hours: 3

Digital Skills

Complete one of the following courses:

THAR 3392 - Drafting for the Theater Credit Hours: 3
THAR 3393 - Vectorworks for the Theater Credit Hours: 3
THAR 3395 - Digital Portfolio and Performance Photography Credit Hours: 3

Applied Skills and Studies

Complete at least 3 courses for a minimum total of 6 credit hours. All courses are repeatable for credit.

THAR 2300 - Practicum in Production Design Credit Hours: 1 - 4
THAR 3300 - Practicum in Production Design Credit Hours: 1 - 4
THAR 4300 - Practicum in Production Design Credit Hours: 1 - 4
THAR 4390 - Creating the Realized Design/Main Stage Process Credit Hours: 3

Directed Electives

Complete 12 additional hours of design and production courses at the 33**-level, with at least 3 hours at the 43**-level. All THAR 33** and THAR 43** courses are repeatable for credit, except for THAR 3310 , THAR 3319 , THAR 3396 , THAR 3397 , THAR 3398 , and THAR 3399 which can be retaken but only the last enrollment in the course counts. A course can only count here if it had not been used to fulfill a previous requirement or it is repeatable and it is an additional enrollment.