The Master of Fine Arts in Design/Technical Production at the University of Alabama is offered in conjunction with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. During the first two years of the program, students are in residence on the University campus in Tuscaloosa, where they concentrate on an intensive sequence of both academic and studio course work, and a variety of design and production opportunities.
Except in rare circumstances, the third academic year of the program is spent in residence with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery, in rotation through individually planned areas of design and production in their shops and studios. Enrollment in the program is currently limited to a maximum of three students admitted every other year.
sThe graduate of the program should be prepared to move successfully into a career in either professional or educational theatre. Admission to the program is based on a portfolio review and an interview. Interviews are normally held at the U/RTA unified auditions and the annual convention of the Southeastern Theatre Conference as well as in Tuscaloosa and Montgomery.
In addition to courses taken at the University , the student will normally design scenery and/or lighting for both studio and mainstage productions in Tuscaloosa, and may design for the MFA Productions at ASF.
A total of 60 semester hours is required for the degree; 40 hours in residence in Tuscaloosa and 20 in Montgomery. While the curriculum is structured, individual needs and interests are met through individually planned design and production assignments, and by appropriate scheduling of the year at ASF.
