Special topic classes address lighting color theory and lighting computer applications. We also address supplemental skills including state of the art lighting technology, basic electrical and electronic theory, professional lighting design and personnel management techniques, professional lighting graphics, computer-aided design, paperwork management and the practices of the assistant lighting designer.

This program includes many production-design assignments at the CRT as well as on-the-job training with professional technicians in other areas of design, puppetry arts and production crafts. Most students in this program create the principal lighting design for as many as four fully mounted Studio Works and Main Stage CRT productions during their three years of residency. One Main Stage design during the third year will serve as the student's official MFA final project. During the three-year program, outstanding lighting students have opportunities to work as assistant designers for professionals who design for theatre, dance and opera companies both in Connecticut and New York. These internships provide lighting students with experiences in a variety of venues and help them establish invaluable contacts within the professional design world. The department also encourages graduate students (often with financial support) to attend and participate actively in such organizations as USITT and Young Designers' Forum as another bridge into the professional world.

Course of Study for the MFA in
Lighting Design

A minimum of three years of full-term resident graduate study is required.

A minimum of 60 graduate credits is required.

All M.F.A. students follow The Graduate School's "Plan B" (no thesis), however a specially assigned "MFA Project" involving a Mainstage CRT production is required during the final year.

The following is an onofficial list of the actual dramatic arts courses you will take in order to complete your MFA in Lighting Design:

DRAM 5510 (DA 308) Studies in Lighting Design: Concept Development, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5510 (DA 308) Studies in Lighting Design: Color Theory & Light, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5510 (DA 308) Studies in Lighting Design: Lighting Angles/Textures/Positions, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5510 (DA 308) Studies in Lighting Design: Single Set Plays, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5510 (DA 308) Studies in Lighting Design: Broadway Musical 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5510 (DA 308) Studies in Lighting Design: Digital Design for Projections I, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5510 (DA 308) Studies in Lighting Design: Digital Design for Projections II, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5510 (DA 308) Studies in Lighting Design: Lighting Design Business Practices, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5510 (DA 308) Studies in Lighting Design: Lighting Technology, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5197 (DA 397) Investigation of Special Topics: Dance Lighting, 2 hrs, (2 Cr.)
DRAM 5197 (DA 397) Investigation of Special Topics: Opera Lighting, 2 hrs, (2 Cr.)
DRAM 5197 (DA 397) Investigation of Special Topics: Color Theory, 2 hrs, (2 Cr.)
DRAM 5197 (DA 397) Investigation of Special Topics: Non-Traditional Spaces, 2 hrs, (2 Cr.)
DRAM 5197 (DA 397) Investigation of Special Topics: Television, 2 hrs, (2 Cr.)
DRAM 5189 (DA 389) Field Studies: Internship, (1 – 6 Cr.)
DRAM 5192 (DA 392) Independent Study: Special Topics, (1 – 6 Cr.)
DRAM 5196 (DA 396) MFA Thesis Project, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5197 (DA 397) Investigation of Special Topics, (1 – 6 Cr.)

In addition to the courses listed above, a student may select elective courses from scenic design, costume design, sound design and other areas of interest.

General Requirements:
DRAM 5130 (DA 330) Introduction to Graduate Studies in Stage Design, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5131 (DA 393) Studies in Theatre History, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5207 (DA 318) Electricity and Electronics for the Theatre, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5208 (DA 321) Computer Applications, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)
DRAM 5134 (DA 331) Design Drawing, 3 hrs, (3 Cr.)