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Majors & Minors
Theatre Design and Technology (BFA)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW The theatre design and technology program provides students a solid theatre education experience. Students take a series of design and support courses in all theatrical production areas. Scene painting, stage lighting, theatre organization and management, and CAD courses are many of the courses available to design and production majors. The program also stresses active involvement in all aspects of production work outside the classroom. Design students serve as assistants to faculty designers and are given the opportunity to design main stage productions.
FACULTY The Department of Theatre Arts is comprised of seven full-time faculty members, 6 have earned the highest degrees in their fields. All full-time faculty are engaged in teaching classes from the introductory to advanced levels. The inclusive nature of the curriculum means that students will take classes from every member of the Department of Theatre Arts as they pursue their degree.
ACADEMIC PREPARATION There are no prerequisite high school courses or requirements needed for enrollment in the theatre program, but students should have a well-rounded academic high school curriculum. Previous involvement in high school and/or community theatre is strongly recommended.
PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS Prospective Design students are encouraged to provide a portfolio for faculty review. It can include any of the following, but is not limited to, copies (no originals, please) of drawings, sketches, paintings, stage management paper work, photographs, programs or posters that the student has designed. A portfolio on a CD-ROM (MAC format only) is also acceptable. As with a Performance audition, our preference would be to meet with you in person. An on-site interview is best so that you can present your work. If this is not possible, then a phone interview will be held. A portfolio should then be mailed or faxed to the Department.
GROUP AUDITION/PORTFOLIO REVIEW DAY SCHEDULE For incoming students to the fall 2009 school year the admissions audition dates are: Saturday, January 31, 2009 or Saturday, February 14, 2009. Please call the Theatre Department at 515-271-4031 or e-mail Judy Drury at judy.drury@drake.edu to register before January 23, 2009. Please provide the following information:
- Full Name, Complete Address, Phone number
- Name of High School or Transfer School, Year of Graduation
- Auditioning for Admission only or Admission and Scholarship Consideration
REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR A minimum of 65 credit hours is required in theatre arts coursework; however, a maximum of 76 theatre credits will be accepted for the degree.
DRAKE CURRICULUM The Drake Curriculum, required of all undergraduates, is designed to help students meet personal and professional goals as they acquire fundamental knowledge and abilities in ten Areas of Inquiry, including communication, critical thinking, artistic experience, historical consciousness, information and technology literacy, international and multicultural experiences, scientific and quantitative literacy, values and ethics and engaged citizenship. Students work closely with their academic advisers to craft a program of study in general education that prepares students for civic and professional leadership.
The Drake Curriculum also requires first-year seminars, which foster development of critical thinking and written and oral communication skills through a topical focus; and a Senior Capstone, in which students demonstrate the capacity to bring information, skills and ideas to bear on one project.
INTERNSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES The Theatre Arts department constantly receives news of internships in every aspect of theatre, including design. Theatre students have recently interned with the prestigious Utah Shakespeare Festival and with the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. These internships offer students opportunities to make contacts within the industry and to experience first-hand the use of their education in the professional theatre.
CAREER OPTIONS Typical career paths for theatre arts graduates include regional theatre, teaching and radio/TV. Many find employment in the design and creation of lighting, costumes, and sets for such regional theatre. Recent graduates have gone on to work in Chicago, Minneapolis, New York, and Los Angeles. A number also have entered and completed graduate programs throughout the country.