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Theatre (Design and Production) ,BA

Theatre (Design and Production), BA

Academic programs / Undergraduate degrees / Theatre (Design and Production)

Art Director, Costume, Costume Designer, Entertainment, Lighting, Lighting Designer, Makeup Artist, Properties, Props Master, Scenery, Set Designer, Sound, Stage Manager, Technical Director, Theatre Design

Nothing enhances live events like bold design and precise production. Gain hands-on training with cutting-edge technology, and graduate prepared for a variety of creative careers. Expand your knowledge and refine your ability to collaborate and create exciting worlds on stage through the study of design and production.

Program description

This BA program in theatre with a concentration in design and production provides students with opportunities to hone their craft while creating exciting work on stage as undergraduates. The concentration provides each student with the unique opportunity to explore their own creative process, while enhancing their ability to collaborate with others.

The program offers specialty coursework in the following areas:

  • costume construction, design and technology
  • digital fabrication
  • lighting design and stage electrics
  • media design and technology
  • properties construction
  • scenic design, art and construction
  • sound design and technology
  • sound and media systems design
  • stage management
  • technical direction

In addition to building knowledge and skills, concentration students are mentored by professional designers and technicians to successfully transition from college to their future careers in entertainment design and production, or to graduate programs for additional training.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: No
  • First required math course: Any math course that meets the MATH designation.
  • Math intensity: Generalprogram math intensity general

Required courses (Major Map)
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Transfer admission requirements:

Direct transfer of courses from other accredited institutions to the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is subject to the existence of parallel and equal courses in the college's curriculum and to departmental or school evaluation of studio courses with respect to performance standards.

Every candidate for the bachelor's degree must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in resident credit at ASU. Transfer students enrolled in the college must complete a minimum of 15 resident credit hours in the major as approved by the faculty.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major requirements

An ASU student who would like to change majors to one offered by the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 (scale is 4.00 = "A").

Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.

Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

  • Apply individual creative and artistic processes relevant to their area of focus within theatre (production techniques, design processes, historical research for production, etc.)
  • Use collaborative practices to solve complex problems; preparing, planning and communicating across areas of the theatre to successfully complete long-range creative projects.
  • Explain how theatre shapes the cultural and political landscapes of societies.
  • Develop a comprehensive toolkit for self-promotion and to showcase their production experiences.
Global opportunities
Global experience

Study abroad can prepare a future professional in the arts not only with cultural experiences but also with professional skills such as collaboration and problem-solving. Global Education programs provide an opportunity for students to explore their creative side through an intercultural lens, encouraging them to build communication skills and challenging them, as artists, to think differently.

With over 300 options available, Global Education programs give students a breadth of knowledge in arts and culture uniquely different from their own. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students learn to adapt and persevere through a program that provides them with a chance to look inside themselves in a way they haven't done before, growing their self-confidence along the way.

Career opportunities

The bachelor's degree program in theatre with a concentration in design and production provides an excellent foundation and specialized training for those who want to work as designers or technicians in the performing arts and entertainment industries. Additionally, the program's liberal arts emphasis prepares graduates for further training in graduate schools.

Example job titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.


Career *Growth *Median salary
3.2%
Not available
8.2%
$98,950
3.2%
$77,280
4.7%
$50,660
6.7%
$85,320
8.6%
$96,370
-1.2%
$60,670
6.7%
$85,320
7.3%
$59,990
6.7%
$85,320
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook

Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

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