Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­

Freshman Experience

At the heart of our BFA program is a commitment to professional training. The curriculum is thoughtfully structured around key areas of emphasis, ensuring that students receive a comprehensive education designed to prepare them for success in the industry. These core focal points include:

Production

Our robust production environment delivers over 55 productions annually, spanning theatre, musicals, opera, dance and events. This dynamic setting provides students with hands-on experience from day one, with their first production assignment taking place in the fall semester of their Freshman year. By immersing students in a wide variety of productions early on, we ensure they gain invaluable, real-world experience in a professional and collaborative setting, setting the foundation for a successful career in the arts.

Production Possibilities

• All degrees require a minimum of 124 earned credit hours.
• Students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. 
• All courses listed on this degree plan are required for the completion of this degree. The course sequence is a suggestion only, and each student will meet with his or her advisor to discuss the most appropriate sequence for that student.

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SOPHOMORE YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

JUNIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SENIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

Student Life

The costume design and technology program at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ is based in preparing our students to effectively visualize, communicate, and realize their own concepts for professional theatre. Courses in costume design cover discussion, style, and the presentation of ideas, as well as the research and historical interpretation involved in design for the stage. Students learn how to successfully implement their designs, aided by the knowledge and guidance of our costume designer and fully staffed costume shop.

Student Testimonial: Costume Design

Throughout their four years, costume design and technology majors receive hands-on experience in the theatre costume shop- led by our costume shop manager, a full-time cutter/draper, a stitcher, and a costume rental coordinator. Each semester they will have the opportunity to assist or design for the School of Theatre and School of Music main stage seasons, which include Opera, Musical Theatre, Contemporary Theatre, and Classical Theatre styles. Costume design students study rendering techniques, fashion history, design history, and text analysis, as well as construction and patterning techniques; they also have the opportunity for craft, makeup, and hair design studies within the major. Majors are also encouraged to present at annual regional and national conventions in order to receive additional professional feedback on their work.

Production Opportunities

• Each costume emphasis student is assigned up to 2 productions every semester in the areas of costume design, assistant design, and/or wardrobe.
• The costume area designs and produces 4-6 productions per semester including musicals, operas, and plays. Each student has the opportunity to work on a variety of genres, styles, and time periods throughout their experience at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­.
• In addition to the School of Theatre and School of Music productions, the costume shop offers costume rentals to community theatres and other schools, which students often work on as well.
• Many students are work-studies in the costume shop, which are paid hourly positions. While working in the shop students learn how to pull, alter, and construct costumes for the current productions.

• All degrees require a minimum of 124 earned credit hours.
• Students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. 
• All courses listed on this degree plan are required for the completion of this degree. The course sequence is a suggestion only, and each student will meet with his or her advisor to discuss the most appropriate sequence for that student.

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SOPHOMORE YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

JUNIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SENIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

Students with a Lighting Design and Technology emphasis begin working on shows as soon as they arrive on campus, serving in roles such as Light Board Operator and/or as Assistant Lighting Designer. Students typically work on two to three shows a semester.

Student Testimonial

PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES

During your sophomore year, students will design their first show, typically a Studio production in the School of Theatre and/or a children’s theatre show with Oklahoma Children’s Theatre. Sophomores also assist Annalise Caudle, Professor of Lighting Design on productions and may be assigned as an assistant designer on a professional ballet with Oklahoma City Ballet.

Juniors customarily design lights for School of Music Spotlight productions or School of Theatre MainStage plays, as well as serving as Production Electrician one or two shows.

Seniors commonly design lights for the School of Music MainStage Operas and Musicals, as well as continuing to serve as Production Electricians on the larger shows.

By the time a student has graduated from Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ with a Lighting Design and Technology Emphasis, they are ready to transition easily into any role in theatrical lighting design and production.

• All degrees require a minimum of 124 earned credit hours.
• Students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. 
• All courses listed on this degree plan are required for the completion of this degree. The course sequence is a suggestion only, and each student will meet with his or her advisor to discuss the most appropriate sequence for that student.

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SOPHOMORE YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

JUNIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SENIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

The Scenic Design program at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ produces innovative theatre artists who are prepared to enter the entertainment industry as designers, collaborators, and leaders. Our program is grounded on an intensive mentoring process. You will study and work within a regional professional theatre model and be guided by faculty with years of experience in the profession. You will receive individualized mentoring in the areas of scenic design, technical direction, properties design/fabrication, and scenic painting.

Student Testimonial

We offer a rigorous hands-on training program founded in the collaborative process. Students will have the opportunity to work in props design, scenic painting, projections design, and scenic design. Students will get work-study positions as scenic artists, props artisans, or carpenters. During your Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ career, you will design for theatre, musicals, opera, and children’s theatre. You will begin to work on shows during your first month on campus and, on average, you will do two productions per semester. With our professional partnerships, you will also earn professional credits for your resume while you’re still a student. Our graduates are provocative visual storytellers and innovative collaborators who are prepared for the entertainment industry. A typical four-year track of study at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ will look like the following:

YEAR 1

• Realized production assignments as Assistant Scenic Designer, Scenic Artist, or Properties Artisan
• Learning how all pieces of a production are collaboratively created
• Developing basic skills in script analysis, drawing, rendering, and drafting
• Hands-on work in scenic painting and construction
• Courses include: Stagecraft, Introduction to Theatrical Design, and Technical Drawing for Theatre

YEAR 2

• Production assignments as Assistant Scenic Designer, Properties Supervisor, or Scenic Artist on main stage shows, and typically a first design for a children's theatre production with Oklahoma Children's Theatre. 
• Honing your talents as a collaborative artist and visual storyteller
• Cultivating your research, Vectorworks 3D visualization, digital design & rendering, and model building skills
• Courses include: Digital Drafting & Rendering, Drawing & Rendering, CAD for Theatre, and Scene Design

YEAR 3

• Assignments as Properties Supervisor, Scenic Artist, or Scenic Designer for mainstage theatre productions
• Improving upon your design capabilities and organizational skills
• Focus on growth of your design aesthetic and background in Art History, Period Styles and Décor, and beginning advanced elective course work
• Advanced study in Vectorworks, Photoshop, and other digital media design apps
• Opportunities for projections and digital media design on productions
• Courses include: Technical Production, Scene Painting, and Period Styles & Decor

YEAR 4

• Assignments as Scenic Designer for mainstage theatre, musical theatre, and/or operas
• Perfecting your abilities through advanced scenic design process in the classroom and onstage
• Exploring scenic design in other entertainment fields such as themed installations, concerts, corporate events, festivals, award shows, and other special events
• Courses include: Props Design & Fabrication, Scene Design II, and Projection Design

TECHNICAL DIRECTION EMPHASIS

PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES & INTERNSHIPS

• The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Design and Production program is known for numerous opportunities – We produce over 55 productions per year.
• Students will work on an average of 2 production assignments per semester.
• You will design, prop, and paint on a variety of productions from multiple genres and styles: plays, musicals, opera, dance, children’s theatre, and special events.
• Students typically design scenery for a children’s theatre production as a sophomore; then design main stage plays in your junior year and operas & musicals during the senior year.
• We believe external professional experiences during your college career are also an integral part of your training. You will be required to do at least one summer internship during your time here. Many of our students choose to do more than one summer internship. We believe participating in other professional production process models allows you to actively learn while honing your craft.

• All degrees require a minimum of 124 earned credit hours.
• Students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. 
• All courses listed on this degree plan are required for the completion of this degree. The course sequence is a suggestion only, and each student will meet with his or her advisor to discuss the most appropriate sequence for that student.

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SOPHOMORE YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

JUNIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SENIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

The properties design and production program will train and prepare students for professional work in theatre, film, television and commercial production work. Properties design and fabrication students have a special eye for detail and an interest in historical accuracy, minutiae, and work in an artistically collaborative environment. The curriculum is multi-faceted in its approach training students. Classes focus on the organizational and managerial aspects of the job, design and research, fabrication techniques, materials and processes and period style and interiors.

Students on Props

Students participate as prop masters and assistants, craftspeople, and set decorators in multiple theatrical venues and spaces. Students work directly under the supervision of the properties design and fabrication program faculty as well as shop staff, visiting artists, and in collaboration with scenic, lighting and sound designers in the program. The interdisciplinary, collaborative approach mirrors the function of properties departments in professional, regional theaters.

Students will be able to engage and interact with properties professionals at various nationally recognized theaters. During their time at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­, students will apply for internships at professional theaters in summer repertory. Students are also encouraged to participate in national professional organizations and enter production work in competitions to be evaluated by working professionals in order to further their scope and understanding of the job. At the end of a four-year degree, students exiting the properties design and fabrication program possess the skill set, ingenuity and professional abilities to work in many levels of professional properties production.

• All degrees require a minimum of 124 earned credit hours.
• Students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. 
• All courses listed on this degree plan are required for the completion of this degree. The course sequence is a suggestion only, and each student will meet with his or her advisor to discuss the most appropriate sequence for that student.

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SOPHOMORE YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

JUNIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SENIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

The Design and Production program offers a wide range of opportunities for sound design and engineering students that include: The Stage II production series, Burg Mainstage shows, and Bass School of Music musical theatre and opera productions.

This variety of sound design and engineering assignments allows students to practice their craft and progress in scale of show. By the time students graduate, they will be ready to address any industry sound needs.

Curriculum

Course work offers the opportunity for study in: live sound reinforcement, digital audio workstation editing and mastery, studio engineering and mixing, system troubleshooting, music composition, as well as script and character analysis.

Students will master the use of analog and digital sound mixers in a variety of system designs for theatrical and live event related projects.

Students will have access to a variety of digital systems including:

• SoundCraft Impact SI
• AVID Venue SL3
• Yamaha O1V
• Yamaha TF3 – w/ Dante

Students will also have access to the School of Theatre Audio Lab for sound design and composition, as well as the Bass School of Music Recording Studio for studio engineering projects.

• All degrees require a minimum of 124 earned credit hours.
• Students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. 
• All courses listed on this degree plan are required for the completion of this degree. The course sequence is a suggestion only, and each student will meet with his or her advisor to discuss the most appropriate sequence for that student.

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SOPHOMORE YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

JUNIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SENIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

• All degrees require a minimum of 124 earned credit hours.
• Students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. 
• All courses listed on this degree plan are required for the completion of this degree. The course sequence is a suggestion only, and each student will meet with his or her advisor to discuss the most appropriate sequence for that student.

FRESHMAN YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SOPHOMORE YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

JUNIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

SENIOR YEAR

First Semester

Second Semester

General Education Courses