What is a “safety” school for someone interested in lighting design? I can easily figure out which are financial and academic safeties, but how do you figure out which are artistic safeties? Or is there no such thing? I don’t know how my son’s tech experience compares to other students, so I don’t know how to determine if he is a strong candidate for a particular program or not.
@RKmom from what I can say at this point, the only real safeties for Tech are schools that do not require portfolio reviews for acceptance, and where the academic requirements for acceptance are not too stringent. In the midwest, three schools that I know that fit the bill are the BFA programs at Ohio University and Wright State, and the BA program at Baldwin Wallace. I believe they all require portfolio reviews at the end of freshman year, and perhaps annually after that, and I honestly don’t know how hard it is (or is not) to stay in the program once accepted. I also don’t know how the programs at these places compare to those at schools that have more competitive admissions.
@RKmon check out Drew University
@RKmom, you might try looking for Theatre BAs with a Design & Production, Design & Technology, and/or Lighting concentrations. (Using the keywords “BA theatre lighting design” for a google search just now turned up quick links to UMBC ( @katiefitz ) , Seton Hill, U of Missouri, and other programs that, at a quick glance, don’t seem to require a portfolio review. A similar approach using various combos of words should help you begin to build a list.) Like @Bubblewrap666 , I haven’t investigated those programs, so don’t know how they compare, but it gives you a place to start. Also, don’t be afraid of the portfolio review–even a little experience in school theatre is helpful for building it. I’ve found over the last year that there just isn’t a ton of tech applicant experience to be found online, so we kind of all have to wing it. I’m happy to see this thread continue to expand for future info-seekers!
@techmom99 @letterhead I’m mostly interested in lighting design although I’d definitely settle for technical direction/production! I have straight As besides two Bs in all IB and AP classes as well as a 29 composite on my ACT. As far as experience in tech goes I’ve been the lighting designer at my school since sophomore year, and am the technical director as well. I am also the secretary of our thespian society and the lead cappies critic (if you’re not familiar with the organization, it’s a theatre criticism program). I volunteer at a community theatre every summer where I work on stage crew, and this year I am assistant lighting designer for a show. I have a pretty hefty portfolio filled to the brim with lighting paperwork, my only issue is i’m not a visual artist! anyway, my list is as follows:
Reach Schools
-Boston University
-CCM
-NYU Tisch
-Northeastern (I’m very interested in their BA in Theatre and American Sign Language. I founded and lead the ASL club at my school)
-Rutgers Mason Gross
-SUNYPurchase
Midrange Schools
-Emerson College
-Fordham University
-Ithaca College
-Montclair State University
-Otterbein University
-Penn State University
-Syracuse University
-University of Connecticut
-University of the Arts
Safety Schools
-Kent State University
-Ohio University
-Temple University (dk if this is really a safety)
-Towson University (in state tuition!
-UMBC
-University of Rhode Island
Any information on schools on my list would be greatly appreciated!!
@katiefitz - you don’t mention money. Is cost a concern? If so, that’ll narrow your list all by itself.
@Gatormama if i go to school in state or to an out of state school with similar tuition, i’ll be debt free. anything else, i’ll have to do some digging.
If you want to pursue the BFA, UNCSA should be on your list. Your grades are very competitive for them, and the lighting design program is excellent. If, however, you’re after a more “well-rounded” college experience, there are other places on your list that would be more appropriate.
@katiefitz – if you are interested in ASL, you may want to look at RIT’s program.
Thanks for all the helpful replies! I didn’t realize there were programs that didn’t require a portfolio review for admission.
@Bubblewrap666 those three schools are all in-state for us, making two of them financial safeties as well!
@bisouu We will look at Drew. Thanks!
@momof2lefties Thanks for the search tips! I’ll give that a try. I really just want to add one or two safeties to his list, just in case. I think he is a fairly strong candidate - he has worked in regional theater the past few years and this summer has a paid lighting internship. He is also on track to be the lighting designer for two community theater productions this fall. And he is dual enrolled at our local university and has taken some theater tech classes there. But maybe lots of applicants have similar credentials? With the colleges admitting so few tech/lighting majors I just want to make sure that he has a few safeties on his list.
@OrangeFish what a cool program! however, I do want to actually major in theatre, something RIT doesn’t offer (unfortunately, too!)
Anyone know when UNCSA letters come out for stage management applicants??
Oh good, we’re not the only ones waiting to hear from them. For Sound Design. Got a verbal yes from the head of the department, but nothing official yet.
@katiefitz Please excuse my ignorance, but I am really curious to know what makes CCM a reach school, Otterbein a midrange, and Kent State a safety? Is it the selectiveness of the program or some other factor? We live in Ohio and these three are all on my son’s list.
@RKmom it was based solely on the selectivity of the theatre school! also, kent state is a safety because they do not require a portfolio review for their BFA in design/tech and are also well below my stats!
Good to know @katiefitz. Thank you!
If you are considering Purchase, why not SUNY Fredonia? It has BFA MT and Acting so a tech person can work in both aspects. My S17 is a tech and production freshman now and plans to declare a lighting concentration next year. The facilities are very nice after a close to $50 million upgrade about 2 years ago. My son is happy.
@techmom99 thanks for the suggestion! I just read through their website and it seems like they have a really great program! my list just keeps growing.
I got the opportunity to visit Penn State today and I fell absolutely in love with their theatre program! They have top notch facilities including a fully fledged scene shop including separate spaces for wood, metal, and paint as well as an adjacent props shop. they also have an automation/rigging lab, which i’ve never even heard of before! their costume shop and costume stock is huge. the lighting and sound labs were fully equipped with the latest lighting and sound technologies. not to mention how nice and encouraging everyone I got to meet was! So glad I had this experience, Penn State has definitely moved up the list!
@katiefitz – have you toured the UMBC performing arts facilities yet? I am curious how you think they compare to Penn State. (We toured UMBC facilities today and the fabricating shops are beautiful!)