Design for Theater & Entertainment MFA
Embrace comprehensive training for Scenic, Production Design (Film/TV), Costume Design, and Lighting Design in the entertainment capital of the world.
Mentored by a globally acclaimed faculty, enjoy intimate classes and thrive under personalized attention within a creative studio environment.
The three-year TFT Graduate Program for Theater, Film and Television Design nurtures each student’s unique artistic journey. With a diverse faculty of artists, scholars, theater and filmmakers, students receive a valuable blend of teaching methodologies and hands-on experiences, including Emerging Technology for Entertainment.
Faculty and professional mentorship, including faculty-led projects, fosters design skills, creative collaborations, and a global perspective. This personal approach readies students for a lifetime career in design. At TFT, all theater productions and student films are designed by our student designers. With this rich student experience, and a robust local network of working alumni, TFT graduates find placement within the entertainment industry and earn Guild membership. Graduating with a Master of Fine Arts hinges on course completion and a commitment to success.
World-Class Faculty
Requirements
The Design for Theater and Entertainment program offers advanced professional training in three artistic areas: costume design, lighting design and scenic design
The Theater M.F.A. Degree
The degree is awarded on the basis of successful completion of the required courses, 104 quarter units of course work, of which 86 units must be at the graduate level; additionally a critical evaluation of design projects must culminate in a manner to show professional competence in the field. Courses are scheduled so that the required courses and projects can be completed within three years.
Design Thesis Project
The training program culminates in the Design Thesis Project that is a series of group design projects that serve as the comprehensive examination for the program. The Design Thesis Project is reviewed and evaluated by the Design faculty. On completion of this project or last quarter of residency, whichever is last, students must file for advancement to candidacy. If the student fails the Design Thesis Project, the student may be reexamined. The number of reviews will be determined by the committee with final approval of the Chair of the Department.
Degree Requirements
Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of 12 units per quarter. Required courses will be scheduled to permit completion of the program within a three-year period. In addition to the successful completion of a minimum of 104 units or 26 courses, candidates for the degree must pass a comprehensive examination that is a critical evaluation of design projects demonstrating professional competence in the field.
By petition, the 104 unit or 26 course requirements may be fulfilled with approved alternative courses. A minimum of 94 units or 23.5 courses must be at the graduate level, a maximum of 10 undergraduate units and a maximum of 12 units of 596 courses may be applied toward the degree.
Time to Degree
The Theater MFA Program in Design for Theater and Entertainment involves students in its specialized area of study for a continuous period until all required courses are completed, typically nine quarters. The maximum residency allowable is 12 quarters.
Scenic Design
Required Core Design Courses
- Scenic Design
- Scenic Design for Theater
- Production Design for Film and Television
- Production Design for Film and Television
- Projection Design
- Costume Design (any from the 400 series)
- Lighting Design (any from 400 series)
- Introduction to Design in Production (Scenography)
- Design Thesis Project
Design Practice & Collaboration
- Production Practice in Theater (Assistant Design Assignments)
- Advanced Projects in Design and Production (Design Assignments)
- Professional Internship in Theater, Film and Television
History Courses
- History of Decor
- Elective History of Theater, Opera, Film, Art and Architecture
- History of Costume
Computer Design Skills Courses
- Intro to Computer Assisted Drafting (AutoCAD)
- Advanced Computer Assisted Drafting (AutoCAD 3D Max)
- Computer Assisted Rendering (Maya & Rhino)
- Computer Previsualization
- Scenic Design Technology
Foundation in Design Skills Courses
- Perspective Drawing
- Multimedia Rendering
- Digital Rendering (Photoshop)
- Model Making
- Life Drawing
- Costume Rendering
- Scenic Painting
- Digital Concept Rendering for Film & TV
- Hand Drafting for Theater Film and Television
- Design Portfolio Development and Marketing
Elective Courses
- History electives in Theater, Opera, Film, Art and/or Architecture
- Art and the process of Entertainment Design
Costume Design
Required Core Design Courses
- Costume Design
- Costume Design for Theater and Live Entertainment
- Costume Design for Film and Television
- Scenic Design (any from the 400 series)
- Lighting Design (any from 400 series)
- Introduction to Design in Production (Scenography)
- Design Thesis Project 4
Design Practice & Collaboration
- Production Practice in Theater (Assistant Design Assignments)
- Advanced Projects in Design and Production (Design Assignments)
- Practice of Costume Design for Film Productions
- Professional Internship in Theater, Film and Television
History Courses
- History of Costume
- Advance Costume History (Special topics in Historical costume)
- History of Costume Design in Film
- Advance Critical Studies in Costume Design (“Deconstructing Glamour”)
- Projects in Costume Design Management
Foundation in Design Skills Courses
- Perspective Drawing
- Multimedia Rendering
- Digital Rendering (Photoshop)
- Life Drawing
- Costume Rendering
- Digital Concept Rendering for Film & TV
- Makeup Design for Stage
- Design Portfolio Development and Marketing
Costume Construction
- Costume Construction 3 Parts
- Advanced Historical Costume Interpretation and Construction
Elective Courses
- History electives in Theater, Art, Decor and/or Architecture
- Art and Process of Entertainment Design
Lighting Design
Required Core Design Courses
- Lighting Design
- Scenic Projection & Media Techniques
- Lighting Design for Special Events
- Introduction to Cinematography
- Intermediate Cinematography
- Scenic Design
- Costume Design
- Introduction to Design in Production (Sceneography)
- Design Thesis Project
Design Practice & Collaboration
- Production Practice in Theater, Film, Television
- Advanced Projects in Design For Theater, Film and Television
- Production Practice in TFT Video and Digital Media
- Art and Process of Entertainment Design
- Professional Internship in Theater, Film and Television
History Courses
- Elective History of Theater, Opera, Film, Art and Architecture
- History of Decor
- History of Costume
Computer Design Skills Courses
- Intro to Computer Assisted Drafting Vectorworks
- Adv. Computer Assisted Drafting Vectorworks
- Lighting Design Technology
- Intro to Computer Assisted Drafting AutoCAD
- Advanced Computer Assisted Drafting AutoCAD
Foundation in Design Skills Courses
- Drafting for Theater
- Hand Drafting for Film and Television
- Perspective Drawing
- Multimedia Rendering
- Digital Rendering (Photoshop)
- Model Making
- Life Drawing
- Scenic Painting
- Digital Concept Rendering for Film & TV