Master in Fine Arts in Design

About the Program

For more than 80 years, The University of Iowa has supported the development of new plays and new works for the stage. This dynamic process of building new work demands a specific kind of designer: an artist with the visual fluency to communicate evocatively and effectively, an acute intellect able to analyze the structure of a script as it is formed, and an adventurer with courage enough to trust that the collaborative process will lead to a proper destination.

Study for the MFA in design is an intensive three-year program dedicated to the education of artists for the professional theatre. The program seeks students of imagination who are committed to the theatre and who aspire to be leaders in the theatre profession. Whatever a student’s background - theatre, art, architecture, fashion, or other fields - the program aims to develop artists who will shape theatre design of the future.

MFA Design students must complete a minimum of 64 hours of course work and selected design assignments. The curriculum consists of design courses in the primary area (sets, lights, or costumes), design courses in a second area (including Sound Design), Studio Skills courses (Drawing and Rendering, Drafting), and courses in supporting areas (Costume Crafts, Scenic Art, Period Styles for Theatre Designers). In addition, students must take nine hours of Theatrical Analysis and Collaborative Process courses.

Plan of Study

Design Plan of Study

Admissions

The Theatre Arts Department seeks highly creative students who bring a special vision to their work. For this reason the department welcomes applicants from a variety of fields who are committed to a career in design.

To be admitted to the design program, candidates must show skill and sensitivity in design or related artistic or technical endeavors and provide evidence of growth and development in their work. Candidates must demonstrate competence in the relevant crafts of their chosen specialty which may include drafting, painting, drawing, pattern making, acoustics, stagecraft, sculpture, photography, and graphic design.

To apply for admission the candidate must do the following:

Submit to the Graduate College an application for admission and scores from the GRE General Test (We encourage you to do this upon application, but it must be completed no later than the end of your first semester of residence.)
Submit to the department a resume and three letters of recommendation that speak specifically to the candidate’s skill in the areas listed above and to the capacity for growth in design.
Present a portfolio of work to the design faculty. This can be done at the national U/RTA auditions, at USITT conventions, by an arranged campus visit, or by an individually arranged mail portfolio review. Please contact the Theatre Arts Department for information on portfolio requirements.

Portfolio Content

Your portfolio should include designs appropriate to your intended area of specialization. (sets, lights, or costumes). Projects may be included along with executed productions. Photographic prints or slides should accompany executed productions. Portfolios can be submitted on CD-ROM or DVD as well as color copies or hard copies.

Scenery portfolios should include: sketches or renderings and photographs of executed designs for projects and executed productions, as well as hand or computer drafting (plans, elevations, sections, detail drawings), prop drawings, and paint elevations.
Costume portfolios should include: sketches and or renderings of projects and executed productions. Additional material such as scale pattern drafting, evidence of special construction or techniques, and make-up or hair drawings are also welcome.
Lighting portfolios should include: light plots and sections of projects and executed productions. Hookups, instrument schedules and photographic prints or slides of executed productions are expected. Sketches are also welcome.
Sound portfolios should include: sound plots, cue sheets, equipment lists, concept statement, and sample tapes (cassette format preferred).

All portfolios may include additional supporting material in other areas of visual or aural design. These areas might include drawing, painting, sculpture, fashion design, architecture, photography, music composition, graphic, computer, and industrial design.

Each piece or group of pieces in the portfolio should be cited; for theatre work citations should include production title, theatre, director, and date of execution. Supporting non-theatre work should have parallel information.

Remote Portfolios

Candidates sending mail portfolios should include sufficient postage to have the portfolio returned, and should insure the contents of the portfolio. Mail portfolios are due each year on February 1 for those candidates who wish to gain admittance for the following fall.

Mail portfolios may include photographic or laser prints in lieu of original drawings, and prints in place of original drafting. Portfolios in digital format (CD-ROM, DVD, websites, etc.) are welcome but may require some supplementary material in analog format.

Production Opportunities

With almost 25 productions in the academic year and three fully-equipped theatres, students have ample opportunity to design. From their first semester, students are awarded design assignments that increase in complexity as the student progresses through the program. These assignments, with increasing levels of professional shop support, may include assistant design on the Mainstage, design for a workshop or gallery production, or design for the Mainstage. For particularly accomplished students there are design positions in the dance or summer repertory seasons, and, with program faculty approval, students are encouraged to participate in off-campus internships.

Design Course Descriptions

049:133 Theatre Design - This course introduces the student to the process of Costume and Scene Design. Through a historical orientation the student learns how to research, conceptualize and express his or her ideas through rendering and simple drafting.

049:136 Lighting Design I - This course is an introduction to the process of Lighting Design. The student learns to research, conceptualize and express her ideas through light plots and other designer’s paperwork, and through executed lighting design projects. Prerequisite: 049:043

049:137 Scene Design II - With more complex projects executed in a variety of formats, this course expands the concepts of Set Design I. The student will complete her projects using refined perspective sketching, color models, property drawing, and more detailed drafting. Prerequisite: 049:134, 049:144 (recommended)

049:138 Costume Design II - This course expands on Costume Design I and emphasizes research, conceptual and character analysis skills. Color, material and volume are explored as an expression of different styles. Prerequisite: 049:135

049:139 Lighting Design II - Expanding upon styles of production, and introducing new production venues, this course develops skills learned in Lighting Design I, through increasing complex light plots and more detailed paperwork. Prerequisite: 049:136, 049:144 (recommended)

049:140 Sound Design for the Theatre - This course explores the process of Sound Design. Through projects, demonstrations and lectures, the student explores methods of sound recording, editing, and reinforcement, and learns to conceptualize and express her ideas for theatre production.

049:141 Period Styles for Theatre Designers - This course examines the aesthetics of selected periods as they apply to theatrical presentation. Research of selected periods of interior architecture, furniture, and clothing.

049:142 Sound Design II - The student develops her conception and execution of sound designs for the theatre using digital analog equipment. The focus of this course will be developing computer aided design skills, design presentation, and advanced editing techniques.

049:043 Elements of Design - This course develops visual literacy. The student learns to manipulate line, shape, color, value, texture, and form. Through the techniques explored in class, the student develops designs for theatre.

049:144 Drafting for Designers I - This course introduces the student to the tools and techniques of drafting for theatre. The student produces plans, sections, elevations, and detail drawings for scenery, and in the process develops manual and analytical skills.

049:145 Drafting for Designers II - In addition to refining the manual skills learned in level 1, the student is introduced to computer drafting software. The student will explore basic functions and commands in AutoCad, Vector Works, and work on theatrical applications with the software. Prerequisite: 049:144

049:146 Drawing and Rendering for the Theatre - The student will develop her artistic skills and documentation techniques through studio work in drawing, painting, and model craft projects for the theatre. Corequisite: 049:43, or admission to the MFA program.

049:147 Technical Production I - An exploration of scene construction techniques including stage carpentry, soft goods assembly, and theatrical rigging. ?049:148 Technical Production II - The student develops the skills from Production I and expands his techniques with new construction techniques including work in plastics, metals, and other materials. Consent of instructor is required.

049:149 Technical Problems for Designers - The student designer develops solutions for technical problems. Possible topics might include advanced moving scenery techniques, automated lighting, architectural constructions worn on the body, etc. Consent of Instructor required.

049:151 Scenic Art for Designers - The student explores techniques in scenic art for the theatre including classical trompe l’oeil scene painting, sculpting with non traditional materials, and finishing. Consent of Instructor required.

049:152 Costume Crafts I - The student explores many of the supporting crafts used in costume building in projects that might include simple millinery, mask-making, fabric dyeing and painting, leather work, etc. Consent of Instructor required.

049:153 Costume Crafts II - Continuation of 49:152, with more advanced projects which might include glove making, wig building, military patterning, etc. Prerequisite: 49:152

29:251 Internship in Design - Experience as a designer or assistant designer with a professional theatre, dance, or opera company or with a professional design studio. Open only to MFA candidates in design. Consent of Head of Design required.

049:237 Scenic Design III - This course is a development of skills learned in previous courses. With complex assignments in theatre, dance, and opera, the student learns to execute a design on paper and prepare it for production in the shops. Prerequisite: 49:137

049:238 Costume Design III - The psychological effect of design elements are explored through advanced projects in costume design. Emphasis on preparing a design for production. Prerequisite: 49:138

49:239 Lighting Design III - Expanding on production venues like dance, opera, and industrials, this course features advanced projects with an emphasis on preparing a design for production. Prerequisite: 49:139

49:240 Set Design IV - Through a series of advanced projects, the student will develop clarity and speed in conceptualizing and documenting her designs. In addition, the student will explore production problems and techniques inherent in those designs. Consent of Instructor required.

49:241 Costume Design IV - The student will develop analytical and studio skills with advanced projects in widening venues including musicals, dance and opera. In addition, production methods required by those designs will be considered. Consent of Instructor required.

49:242 Lighting Design IV - Through advanced projects in a variety of venues the student will develop clarity in their concepts and documentation of her design. Consent of Instructor required.

49:243 Scene Design V - Portfolio development; collaborative. Consent of Instructor required.

49:244 Costume Design V - Portfolio development; collaborative. Consent of Instructor required.

49:245 Lighting Design V - Portfolio development; collaborative. Consent of Instructor required.

49:249 Production Management - Overview of organization and supervision of theatrical productions. Introduction to the resources, and procedures used to successfully mount a theatrical production, or season. Topics include: personnel, equipment facility and budget management, scheduling, and communication.

49:255 Studio in Theatrical Design - The student works to refine developing design skills for his or her portfolio in scenery, lighting, costume or sound design. Topics for study may include large period productions, multi-set musicals, design for dance or opera, repertory plots, etc. Consent of Instructor required.

Contact Information

For more information, contact Loyce Arthur at loyce-arthur@uiowa.edu or call 319/335-2700.