Program Statistics
Visit Master's Program Statistics for statistics such as program admissions, enrollment, student demographics and more.
Stage Design
Degree Types: MFA
The Master of Fine Arts in Stage Design program at Northwestern University prepares a select group of scenery, costume, and lighting designers for professional careers in the American Theatre, international theater and related design fields. Central to this three-year program of study is an emphasis on intensive collaboration between designers and directors, rigorous analysis of texts, thorough research and a fervent effort to nurture unique artistic voices. It is our belief that passionate, insightful artists immersed in a team-based environment, will generate bold, compelling theatrical works.
The first year of study emphasizes the importance of skills, training, and design process. The second year prioritizes collaboration, research, and imagination and serves as a transition from the activities and points of view of the entering student to the professional profile and attitudes of the graduating designer. The final year's activity concentrates on designing and the preparation of the thesis portfolio.
The MFA in stage design is a terminal degree program requiring thirty-three academic units over nine quarters during a three-year residency. The MFA degree is granted upon completion of the program with a minimum grade point average of "B" and successful presentation of a design thesis portfolio. The portfolio must show clear evidence of mastery of the full range of graphic and conceptual support skills in the student's major area(s) of concentration and an acquisition of fundamental skills in the secondary design area(s). Two additional years are allowed for the successful preparation, presentation and defense of the MFA thesis portfolio.
At the end of the first two years of study, each student is required to successfully present a portfolio to the faculty illustrating and articulating his/her development and vision as an artist and designer.
Additional resources:
Program Contact
Contact David Kleineick
Program Assistant
847-491-3589
Degree Requirements
The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.
Master's
Total Units Required: 33
| Course | Title |
|---|---|
| THEATRE 312-0 | Text Analysis |
| THEATRE 321-1 | Advanced Design Process: Scene |
| THEATRE 321-2 | Advanced Design Process: Costume |
| THEATRE 321-3 | Advanced Design Process: Lighting |
| THEATRE 325-1 | Drawing and Painting for the Theatre: Graphic Arts for the Stage Designer |
| THEATRE 325-2 | Drawing and Painting for the Theatre: Rendering the Theatrical Space |
| THEATRE 325-4 | Drawing & Painting for the Theatre: Drafting |
| THEATRE 326-1 | Drawing and Painting for the Theatre: Freehand Drawing |
| THEATRE 326-2 | Drawing and Painting for the Theatre: The Figure in Space |
| THEATRE 328-1 | Period Pattern Drafting and Draping |
| THEATRE 329-0 | Computer Graphics for the Theatre Artist |
| THEATRE 420-1 | Collaboration: American Realism |
| THEATRE 420-2 | Collaboration: Contemporary Drama |
| THEATRE 420-3 | Collaboration: Shakespeare in the 21st Century |
| THEATRE 462-1 | Advanced Studies in Lighting Design |
| THEATRE 462-2 | Advanced Studies in Lighting Design |
| THEATRE 462-3 | Advanced Studies in Lighting Design |
| THEATRE 463-1 | Advanced Studies in Scenic Design |
| THEATRE 463-2 | Advanced Studies in Scenic Design |
| THEATRE 463-3 | Advanced Studies in Scenic Design |
| THEATRE 464-1 | Advanced Studies in Costume Design |
| THEATRE 464-2 | Advanced Studies in Costume Design |
| THEATRE 464-3 | Advanced Studies in Costume Design |
| THEATRE 450-0 | Topics in Stage Design (primary field) |
| Theatre Special Topics: Design Theory | |
THEATRE 590-0 | Research |
THEATRE 324-0 | Scene Painting |
| Electives | |
THEATRE 328-2 | Period Pattern Drafting and Draping |
THEATRE 328-3 | Period Pattern Drafting and Draping |
THEATRE 499-0 | Independent Study |
Additional electives chosen from available offerings in Schools of Speech and Music, and Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences | |
(In the third year, 1-3 units may be replaced with THEATRE 380-0 Special Topics in Playwriting with permission of the MFA faculty.)
Other MFA in Stage Design Degree Requirements
- Examinations: assembly of yearly design portfolio for evaluation by faculty
- Research/Projects: produced and theoretical design projects assigned by faculty
- Master of Fine Arts Thesis: thesis portfolio demonstrating mastery of full range of graphic and conceptual skills pertaining to major area(s) of concentration and mastery of fundamental skills in secondary area(s)
- Other: defense of thesis portfolio