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College of Creative Arts and Media: School of Theatre and Dance

Technical Direction, MFA

The MFA in Technical Direction is a rigorous program designed to prepare the student with the skills needed to succeed in the professional world.

Our program features small class sizes with in-depth, individualized training, and early opportunities for leadership positions. This three year course of study encompasses the design, construction and implementation of scenery using industry standard technologies, materials and techniques.

Through production, you'll gain real-world experience in planning and managing the process from design to strike. You'll have the opportunity to serve in leadership positions like Assistant Technical Director, Technical Director or Production Manager guiding undergraduate students through the creations of their designs.

Coursework provides training in drafting (hand and computer aided), carpentry, welding, rigging, project management, leadership, health and safety, automation, painting, portfolio development and scenic design. Along with the design and technology core classes are electives to allow more in-depth training in subjects of your choice.

Your Degree Plan Learn by Doing Places and Spaces Admission Requirements Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

Get individualized training in the design, construction and implementation of scenery using industry standard technologies, materials and techniques.

The MFA in Technical Direction requires 61 credit hours and can be completed in six semesters (three years).

With an emphasis on hands-on learning in a rigorous production environment, our MFA programs provide you with significant experience to develop and hone your craft. You will graduate with a significant portfolio of realized work. Furthermore, you'll receive real-world teaching experience at the university level under the guidance of our faculty. Upon completion of the program, you are prepared for entrance into the professional markets of entertainment and academia.

Assistantships, tuition waivers and scholarships are available.

School of Theatre and Dance MFA programs are accredited by the National Association of the Schools of Theatre (NAST) and are terminal degrees.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Technical Direction MFA students must successfully serve as the technical director for at least two fully realized productions, at least one of which must be fully mounted for the public.

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Places and Spaces

Learn about all of the places and spaces you'll learn in.

Program Facility - Creative Arts Center

Canady Creative Arts Center

The Loulie, Valerie and William Canady Creative Arts center boasts 4 exhibition spaces, 5 performance spaces, 33 individual practice rooms and 50 classrooms and studios with plenty of space to create. The loading dock at the rear of the building is a wonderful open-air space with stunning acoustics.

Explore the Canady Creative Arts Center
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Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelor's degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75. WVU operates decentralized admissions. Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.

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