Lead | Design | Create
Through classroom learning, production assignments, internships, and leadership experiences, you will develop the artistic, technical, and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in collaborative creative industries.
Where Can This Degree Take You?
The Design & Technical Theatre BFA prepares you to be a designer, manager, innovator, collaborator, and problem-solver. Through intensive training and hands-on leadership experiences, you will develop skills that prepare you for careers across the performing arts, entertainment industry, live events, creative technologies, and numerous adjacent fields.
The Design & Technical Theatre BFA is designed to prepare you not only for graduation, but for immediate entry into the profession.
You will graduate with:
- Extensive production experience
- Professional portfolios and documentation
- Leadership and project management skills
- Collaboration and communication expertise
- Practical experience managing productions and creative teams
- Industry connections through faculty, guest artists, conferences, and alumni networks
- Applied learning and internship experiences
- Experience working across theatre, dance, film, and live events
Because you assume leadership roles throughout your degree program, you will graduate with a depth of practical experience that distinguishes yourself in a competitive job market.
- Scenic Designers
- Costume Designers
- Lighting Designers
- Projection Designers
- Sound Designers
- Properties Designers
- Technical Directors
- Production Managers
- Stage Managers
- Assistant Stage Managers
- Production Electricians
- Rigging Specialists
- Scenic Artists
- Wardrobe Supervisors
- Theatre Consultants
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Film Production
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Art Departments
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Production Design
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Studio Operations
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Production Coordination
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Set Construction
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Scenic Fabrication
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Costume and Wardrobe Management
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Creative Project Management
- Concert and Touring Productions
- Theme Parks
- Cruise Line Entertainment
- Festivals
- Corporate Events
- Trade Shows
- Museum Exhibitions
- Experiential Design
- Venue and Facility Management
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Theatre Management
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Arts Administration
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Company Management
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Event Management
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Audience Engagement
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Development and Fundraising
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Marketing and Communications
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Production Leadership
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Creative Producing
- Theatre Educators
- Teaching Artists
- Technical Theatre Instructors
- Professors (with graduate education)
- Community Arts Leaders
- Workshop Facilitators
The BFA in Performing Arts – Design and Technical Theatre prepares students for advanced study in:
- Design
- Technology
- Production
- Entertainment management
- Creative leadership
- Arts administration
- Business
- Education
- Communication
- Scenic
- Lighting
- Costume
- Sound
- Projection design
- Technical direction
- Production management
- Stage management
- Other related disciplines/programs
Through hands-on production work and interdisciplinary collaboration, students develop expertise in problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership, and innovation - skills valued across graduate programs and creative industries.
Why Design & Technical Theatre BFA in Performing Arts at Wichita State?
The BFA in Performing Arts - Design & Technical Theatre prepares students to become innovative designers, technicians, and production leaders through intensive hands-on training and collaborative creative experiences. As part of Wichita State's School of Performing Arts, students develop artistic, technical, and problem-solving skills applicable to theatre, film, live entertainment, events, and a wide range of creative industries.
Apply your skills through theatre productions, film projects, dance concerts, student-led work, and other interdisciplinary creative experiences. Because the School of Performing Arts is an undergraduate-only school, students gain early leadership experience in scenic, lighting, costume, and sound design, stage management, technical direction, and production roles while collaborating across the School of Performing Arts.
Design and technical theatre careers require both artistic vision and technical expertise. Through hands-on production experiences, students build skills in design, technology, collaboration, project management, communication, and professional presentation while developing digital portfolios, websites, and community engagement experiences. Working within a collaborative School of Performing Arts provides valuable preparation for careers across theatre, entertainment, and live event industries.
Employers seek creative professionals who can solve problems, communicate effectively, manage complex projects, and work collaboratively. Through production-based learning and interdisciplinary experiences, Wichita State Design & Technical Theatre students develop the technical, artistic, and leadership skills needed to contribute across theatre, film, live events, themed entertainment, and related creative industries.
At Wichita State, a Design & Technical Theatre degree combines rigorous training in design, technology, and production with opportunities to collaborate across the performing arts. Through hands-on experiences in theatre, dance, film, and interdisciplinary projects, students graduate prepared for the evolving demands of today's entertainment and creative industries.
