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 306----Advanced Lighting Design I: Non-Proscenium Spaces
DRAM 307----Advanced Lighting Design II: Musical Theatre
DRAM 308A--Studies in Lighting Design: (Lighting the Opera)
DRAM 308B--(Lighting for Dance)
DRAM 308C--(Lighting Technology)
DRAM 308D--(Color and Light)
DRAM 308E--(Professional Theatre Business Practice)
DRAM 318----Electricity and Electronics
DRAM 321----Computer Applications
DRAM 330----Introduction to Graduate Stage Design
DRAM 331----Design Drawing I and II
DRAM 389----Field Studies: Professional Assisting Projects
DRAM 390----Internship in Dramatic Arts
DRAM 392----Independent Study: Assistant Lighting Design Projects
DRAM 392----Independent Study: Lighting Design Projects
DRAM 392----Independent Study: Computer Aided Design
DRAM 393----Graduate Studies in Theatre History
DRAM xxx----One additional course in Theatre History, Literature, Criticism or Aesthetics. May be waived based on undergraduate transcript.
DRAM 396----MFA Lighting Design Project

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.