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The Theatre Design and Technology minor is for you if you have an interest in theatre production and want to increase your knowledge of the craft, theory, and art of design and technical theatre. If you are a major in art, education, music, engineering, and other fields, you may use this minor to strengthen your preparation for a future career. The curriculum balances classes in theory with hands-on experience in production work.
You will benefit from outstanding production opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities. Your work may be highlighted in the campus productions of one of the top-tier performing arts programs in the nation, as well as for our award-winning Motion Pictures program.
Design and Technology faculty members are both working professionals and teachers, with active careers as technicians and artists in regional theatre companies, national conferences, and schools. They share their expertise as they work side by side with you on every aspect of production design and management.
You will be prepared to work in theater, opera and dance companies, television and movie studios, performing arts centers, and recording studios. Wright State alumni are currently employed at leading performance venues in such major entertainment centers as New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Orlando.
You can prepare for professional success in the entertainment industry through classroom projects, independent studies, and contact with industry professionals. Wright State Theatre Design and Technology graduates average 90 percent employment in their chosen field upon graduation.
Our well-trained designers, technicians, and stage managers find career opportunities in many fields in a variety of organizations, including:
Our alumni are currently working in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, and other entertainment centers. Alumni also have gone on to complete graduate degrees at distinguished institutions such as Yale and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Wright State alumni work is now being seen in productions for Nickelodeon, Cirque de Soliel, Blue Man Group, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Guthrie Theatre, Actors' Theatre of Louisville, Goodspeed Opera, Alley Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Walt Disney World, Vincent Lighting, and the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, as well as recent Broadway productions.
 Cameron Holsinger is the first assistant stage manager for "Hamilton" on Broadway, while King David Jones is a “swing” for several characters in the traveling production of the hit musical. |
 Hannah Beachler, who received a B.F.A. from Wright State in 2005, talked about her successful career and answered questions during a discussion with performing arts students. |
Wright State University provides a rigorous Theatre Design and Technology Program designed to prepare you for early career success in a variety of roles behind the scenes. Our undergraduate focus means that you will enjoy production opportunities with our main stage productions from the very first. Our small class sizes of 16 students or fewer allow the faculty to provide individual attention and coaching to help students develop their talents to the fullest.
When you have completed this minor, you will:
View the Minor in Theatre Design and Technology program information and requirements in the Academic Catalog.
Upper-class students who have demonstrated their skills through classroom and production achievements may qualify for professional internships. Our students have recently interned at the La Jolla Playhouse, Human Race Theatre Company, Cincinnati Opera, and Goodman Theatre.
To declare a Theatre Design and Technology minor, schedule an interview with the coordinator of the Theatre Design and Technology program. You must complete TH 1020 (Introduction to Technical Theatre) with a grade of at least “C” before you can take any of the other courses in the minor, unless waived by the Design and Technology faculty.
Admission to the program is at the discretion of the faculty.
Transfer students may be accepted into the program after a successful interview and portfolio review with the faculty, as well as completion of the university admissions process. The university generally follows a liberal policy in accepting credits, allowing virtually all credits earned at an accredited institution from courses in which the student earned a grade of C or better. The Office of the Registrar is responsible for determining which credits are eligible for transfer.
The School of Fine and Performing Arts offers an array of scholarships based on talent, academic performance, and financial need.
School scholarships include:
Talent scholarships are awarded for one year to students in acting, dance, motion picture production, and design/technology. Students in all majors are eligible to apply each year for merit scholarships. Although competition for scholarships is keen, the department provides generous support to qualified students throughout their four years of study to enable them to complete their degree.
Design and Technology program students may schedule a scholarship interview by contacting Amanda Brewer at amanda.brewer@wright.edu.
The Design and Technology faculty members at Wright State University are connected to industry professionals and working designers, directors, actors, and artists at the top of the field, who are invited to campus to share their talents with our students.
Recent guest artists include:
Finding the right college means finding the right fit. See all that the College of Liberal Arts has to offer by visiting campus.
