Theatre Design/Technology
If you love working behind the scenes, this is how you get ahead—with in-depth training and hands-on experience in state-of-the-art venues, all right on campus. This program is for anyone who wants a career in the entertainment industry as a designer, technician, stage manager, or nearly any off-stage or off-camera role. Whether you want to envision stage designs, engineer sets and costumes, or direct lighting for Broadway shows, you can bring your innovation and creativity to UB—and see how a world-class university can open new doors.
What will I learn?
You’ll start with structured, intensive classes in all major areas of production, including scenic design, lighting design, costume design, sound design and projection design, as well as stage management, technical direction and live event production.
Then, as early as your first year, you’ll get real-world experience working on musicals, plays, dance performances and other live events.
As you work side-by-side with our faculty and staff in our studios, shops and performance spaces, you’ll learn firsthand about industry standards and new technology, including automation, wearable media and evolving digital practices. You will also develop the powerful communication, organization and leadership skills critical to succeed in the highly collaborative entertainment industry.
Theatre Design/Technology BFA vs. Theatre BA
- The Theatre Design / Technology BFA is designed for more in-depth study and requires a departmental interview and portfolio review. You can start in the BFA program as a first-year student, or begin in the BA program and switch to the BFA after you take your intro courses and gain experience. BFA students are leaders in departmental productions, taking designs from studio to shop to stage.
- The Theatre BA is a flexible major that offers a broad-based education in theater. Students within the BA program may choose to concentrate in Design/Technology and can apply for experiential learning opportunities in production.
What can I do with a theatre design/technology degree?
Designer for stage or film. Head lighting, sound or media technician. Scenic artist. Wardrobe supervisor. Technical director. Model builder. Puppet master. Stage manager. Whether you want to fabricate props, call the cues or handle nearly any backstage role in the wings, shops or studios, you’re in the right place.
Our graduates can be found working on Broadway, in regional theatres, on national tours, in film and television, on cruise lines, with major live event companies, and for themed entertainment enterprises including Disney Parks. They’ve worked with leading organizations including Bandit Lites, Chicago Flyhouse, Glimmerglass Festival, Hangar Theatre, Lighting Design Group, Parson-Meares LTD, Tait Towers, TheaterWorks USA, and Sante Fe Opera, among many others. Other graduates have gone on to pursue advanced degrees at prestigious institutions across the country, furthering their expertise in specialized areas of design and technology.
At UB, our BFA students receive portfolio coaching and demonstrate impressive accomplishments, helping them go straight into industry jobs—or earn full tuition waivers and assistantships at top MFA programs in stage design and technical production.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $101,340.00 | N/A | |
| Actors | $43,050.00 | $20.70 | |
| Producers and Directors | $42,980.00 | N/A | Rapid Growth |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | $37,510.00 | $18.03 | Rapid Growth |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.