Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Theatre Design is intended as a general preparation for the professional designer of scenery, costumes or lighting in theatre and/or film or as preparation for graduate studies. Students learn through small-class studio courses, laboratories, and involvement in productions in the University Theatre.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of the University Registrar website.
B.F.A. in Theatre Design Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core 34 General Education | 34 | |
| The KU Core 34 is comprised of 34-35 credit hours typically completed during the first two years of study. The Core 34 consists of the following requirements: English (6), Communications (3), Math & Statistics (3), Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (4-5), Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 in two different disciplines), Arts & Humanities (6 in two different disciplines), US Culture (3), and Global Culture (3) | ||
ART 101 is a required course of the major. Students are strongly advised to satsify 3 credits of their Core 34 Arts and Humanties by taking this course. | ||
| Prerequisite Knowledge | ||
| ART 101 | Drawing I | 3 |
| THR 318 | Rendering for Design | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| THR 100 | Introduction to the Theatre | 3 |
| or THR 106 | Acting I | |
| THR 102 | Introduction to the Theatre Major | 1 |
| HA 151 | History of Western Art: Renaissance to Contemporary | 3 |
| HA 150 | History of Western Art: Ancient Through Medieval | 3 |
| THR 215 | Approaching Design | 3 |
| THR 216 | Scenic Production | 2 |
| THR 220 | Costume Production | 2 |
| THR 224 | Lighting Production | 2 |
| THR 308 | Script Analysis | 3 |
| or THR 408 | Dramaturgy | |
| THR 508 | Fundamentals of Directing | 3 |
| or THR 315 | Stage Management | |
| THR 520 | History of Period Style I | 3 |
| THR 521 | History of Period Style II | 3 |
| Theatre History Courses. Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| History of Theatre | ||
| History of Theatre II | ||
| History of U.S. Theatre and Drama | ||
| Theatre Design Courses | ||
| THR 116 | Scenographic Techniques | 3 |
| THR 218 | Computer-Aided Drafting for Theatre | 3 |
| THR 316 | Beginning Scene Design | 3 |
| THR 320 | Beginning Costume Design | 3 |
| THR 324 | Beginning Lighting Design | 3 |
| THR 516 | Scenic Painting Techniques | 3 |
| Theatre Practicum | 3 | |
| Theatre Practicum I | ||
| Theatre Practicum II | ||
| Theatre Practicum III | ||
| Theatre Design Electives | 9 | |
| Satisfied by 9 hours from the following: | ||
| Make-Up | ||
| Undergraduate Seminar in: _____ (maximum of 6 hours) | ||
| Stage Management | ||
| Introduction to Pattern Making | ||
| Beginning Projection Design | ||
| Beginning Sound Design | ||
| Popular Culture: _____ | ||
| Stage Management and Assistant Direction | ||
| Directed Study in Theatre (maximum of 6 hours) | ||
| Scenography and the Classic Script | ||
| Collaborative Production | ||
| Special Topics in Scenography | ||
| Introduction to Film and Media | ||
| Foundations of Filmmaking Practice | ||
| General Electives | 10 | |
| Students will need to complete additional general elective credits to reach the required 120 hours. | ||
| Capstone Course | 3 | |
| Collaborative Production | ||
| Honors Directed Study in Theatre | ||
| Directed Study in Theatre | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
Below is a sample 4-year plan for students pursuing the BFA in Theatre Design. To view the list of courses approved to fulfill Core 34, please visit the KU Core 34 page.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THR 106 or 100 (Major Requirement)1 | 3 | THR 215 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| ART 101 (Core 34: Arts and Humanities SGE, Major Foundation Course)* | 3 | THR 216, 220, or 224 (Theatre Production I, Major Requirement) | 2 |
| HA 150 (Major Requirement) | 3 | Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 |
| Core 34: English (SGE)010 | 3 | MATH 105 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030 | 3 |
| Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)050 | 3 | THR 318 (Major Foundation Course) | 3 |
| THR 102 (Major Requirement) | 1 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THR 216, 220, or 224 (Theatre Production II) | 2 | THR 216, 220, or 224 (Theatre Production III, Major Requirement) | 2 |
| THR 116 (Major Requirement) | 3 | THR 218 | 3 |
| THR 308 or 408 (Major Requirement)2 | 3 | THR 316 | 3 |
| Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE)040 | 4-5 | HA 151 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 | Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 1 | ||
| 15-16 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THR 520 (Major Requirement) | 3 | THR 521 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| THR 324 (Major Requirement) | 3 | THR 320 (Major Requirement) | 3 |
| THR 508 or 315 (Major Requirement) | 3 | THR Design Elective (Major Requirement)3 | 3 |
| Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)050 | 3 | Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 |
| Core 34: Communications (SGE)020 | 3 | Theatre History Elective (1 of 2; Major Requirement) | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THR 516 (Major Requirement) | 3 | THR Design Elective (Major Requirement)3 | 3 |
| THR Design Elective (Major Requirement)3 | 3 | Theatre Practicum | 3 |
| Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | THR 560, 499, or 498 (Capstone) | 3 |
| Theatre History Elective (2 of 2; Major Requirement) | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 |
| Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 | Second Area of Study/Elective/Degree/Junior-Senior Hours1 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120-121 | |||
- 1
Hour requirements (incl. 45 jr/sr hrs) are typically met through Core 34, degree, major, second area of study and/or elective hours. Individual degree mapping is done in partnership with your advisor.
- 2
Pre-Requisite for THR 508 and History of Theatre coursework.
- 3
See catalog for full list of approved Theatre Design Electives.
Please note:
All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to complete 120 total hours of which 45 hours must be at the Jr/Sr (300+) level.
*Courses with a * designate courses that are degree requirements but can also be taken to fulfill the KU Core 34 requirement. If another course if used to fulfill the Core 34 requirement, the course listed is still required as a degree requirement.
Notes:
* - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education. If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.
** - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.
*** - This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34:Systemwide General Education course. If a student did not take this course it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Apply fundamental critical thinking skills to the analysis and interpretation of dramatic literature with particular attention to designing and/or technical production.
- Select and use, with safety and efficiency, the tools and equipment basic to theatre production technology including those required for set, light, sound, and costumes.
- Communicate to an audience through at least one of the components of theatrical art: designing, stage managing, or technical production.
- Accomplishes all assigned duties as member of a theatre production team, communicating clearly and consistently with all other members of the theatre production team.
- Assemble a portfolio that represents an accurate sampling of the student’s design work, presented in a manner that is in accordance with current professional standards.