Design and Technology
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Turn your love of theatre, art and scenic design into a rewarding career combining creativity and technical skill. Design and Technology MFA students can choose to focus their studies in any of the following areas:
Scenic Design
Students participate in innovative projects related to visual storytelling, regularly collaborate with MFA students in the other design and technology emphasis areas, and have multiple design opportunities within the Conservatory and with regional theatre partners. After working in the scenic studio and developing integral skills in drafting, rendering, and digital and physical model building, students emerge ready for the professional world of design for live entertainment.
Costume Design and Technology
The Costume Design and Technology focus strikes a balance between art and craft, providing numerous experiences in the creation and implementation of the costuming process and preparing students to work as elite-level costume designers, costume shop managers and more. Students receive personalized training from a faculty of established working professionals.
Lighting Design and Technology
This focus integrates lighting design theory with emerging technologies in a hands-on, production-driven environment. Each semester includes a Lighting Design Studio where students explore and develop their design process. Technical training begins with Vectorworks drafting and other lighting design software, ETC Eos programming, and then expands into more challenging topics, such as advanced programming and ETCP certification preparation. Beyond the classroom, students design productions across dance, musical theatre, opera, and plays in both black box and proscenium venues. Third-year students work with professional partners as lighting designers or assistant lighting designers, preparing them for a wide range of industry opportunities.
Sound Design
The Sound Design focus pairs dramatic interpretation with a mastery of recording studio, audio production skills and composition. Graduates are prepared to design for professional theatres, broadcast productions, film compositions and more.
Stage Management
This focus fuses theory and practice, helping students develop broad knowledge of production and the production process. The program emphasizes clear communication and problem-solving skills. Graduate coursework balances comprehensive education with extensive production opportunities across the UMKC Conservatory and Kansas City arts community in the areas of theater, dance and music performance, preparing students for a range of career opportunities.
- Program Type: Master's
- Academic Unit: Conservatory
- Degree Type: Master of Fine Arts
- Standard credit hours: 60
- Delivery Mode: In-person
- Typical Program Length: 3 years
- Typical Course Load: 2-4 per semester
Why UMKC
Find career success
From academic and career advising to employment services and community partnerships, our award-winning faculty and staff can help you leverage industry connections and deliver the direction and support you need to succeed in your career.
Contribute to world-changing research
UMKC faculty and students break ground in key areas of science, technology, healthcare, education, law, the arts and the humanities — bringing in millions in funding in the process. If you want to work on the cutting edge of these fields and set yourself up for a career in innovation, there aren’t many better places to be.
Kansas City is our classroom
Our university is deeply integrated into the community, providing students with exclusive opportunities to gain hands-on experience, connect with area employers and network with local industry professionals.
After Graduation
Set and exhibition designers have a diverse skill set that allows them to work in a variety of areas, including theatre, touring and concert design and production, film and video production, corporate event design, architectural lighting design, special events coordination and management, sales and technical services, museums and historical sites, advertising and public relations, and the performing arts.
Potential careers
- Lighting director, supervisor or designer
- Associate or assistant lighting designer
- Programmer
- Production electrician
- Effects specialist
- AD for film or video production
- Associate video director for a live video shoot
- Line producer
- Scheduler
- Company manager
- Artistic associate
- Event coordinator
- Costume designer
- Creative strategist
- Entertainment coordinator
- Materials buyer
- Production assistant or manager
- Set designer
- Stage manager
- Technical director
- Theatre educator
Alumni of the Design and Technology MFA can be found working with professional organizations, such as the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Constellation Theatre Company, the Hemsley Lighting Internship, Kansas City Ballet, Los Angeles Opera, New York City Ballet, Paramount, Viacom CBS and more.
$79,692
Median salary/year
* Based on data from Lightcast.io for Producers and Directors (27-2012.00)
Potential Courses
Branding for Theatre Designers
Students develop presentation abilities, prioritize brand strategy, and learn how to create a unique brand identity and marketing toolkit for live entertainment designers.
Rendering Techniques for the Theatre Designer II
Continuation of rendering techniques with the introduction of color, pastels, watercolor and goauche. Skills are applied in developing projects for design in the theatre.
Professional Theatre Partnership
Students participate in a residence with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Theatre Department, or an outside company. Assignments are determined by matching interests, focus area, and availability.
Visit the Academic Catalog for a full listing of courses and descriptions.
Related Programs and Pathways
How to Apply
- Gather your materials
- As an URTA member school, we frequently will attend audition dates around the country, as well as the virtual audition options. Details for those auditions can be found on the URTA website.
- Official transcripts.
- Names and locations of previous college(s) and dates you attended.
- Citizenship, residency and visa information (if applicable).
- Two letters of recommendation.
- A portfolio (uploaded to your application status page), which includes the following:
- Artistic renderings.
- Drafted materials.
- Photographs and slides.
- Resume.
- An interview with the faculty of the Division of Theatre.
- Please plan to submit your application, portfolio materials, and have your interview completed by no later than Feb. 1.
- Transcripts and test scores from domestic and international undergraduate students may be sent in after the Dec. 15 Conservatory application deadline but must be received by UMKC Admissions by Feb. 1.
- Complete the online application
- $45 for domestic graduate students or $75 for international graduate students.
Have questions? Request information to have an admissions counselor contact you about the requirements for this program.
Application Dates
To Start Classes in Fall
Apply by: Dec. 15
Classes begin in August