Theatre BFA
College of Fine Arts
Emphases: Stage Management
Arts Pass
Bennion
Center
Learning Abroad
Office of
Undergraduate Research
Courses
Getting Started
- Meet with an advisor to create a course plan
- Start with theatre core courses
- Enroll in THEA 3600: Beginning Stage Management
- Complete math & writing requirements
Making Progress
- Meet with your advisor regularly to discuss your course plan & explore extracurricular opportunities
- Continue major courses specific to the Stage Management emphasis (refer to catalog & talk to advisor)
- Generate a degree audit to track your progress on GEs & degree requirements
- Work with area head to select directed electives & explore production assignments for individual projects courses
Finishing Up
- Enroll in final individual projects and/or internship courses
- Finish remaining GEs & directed electives
- Review degree audit & meet with advisor
- Apply for graduation
Community
Getting Started
- Attend CFA's welcome event ArtsBash & events hosted by the SAC
- Explore student clubs on campus at the Get Involved Fair
- Browse our events calendar & attend shows with friends
Making Progress
- Join the Stage Managers at the U student group
- Participate in department productions
- Get involved in student-driven work
- Attend guest artist talks, workshops & lectures
- Use ArtsPass to visit museums like the UMFA & attend cultural events
- Go see shows in the community & find opportunities to network
- Join ArtsForce to connect with other CFA students at events & workshops
Finishing Up
- Consider an internship with a professional arts organization
- Take on a leadership role in SAC or a student group
- Join the Alumni Association and Forever Utah
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Explore academic resources like Marriott Library, Writing Center, & Learning Center
- Check out the CFA's Create Success Initiative
- Grow your skills in class/student projects
Making Progress
- Attend ArtsForce workshops, talks, lectures & panels to learn more about working in the arts
- Explore student research opportunities in OUR
- Participate in faculty research - talk to your professors or area head
- Meet with the CFA's internship coordinator to develop an internship plan
- Apply for a FAF grant to seek financial support for student-driven extracurricular experiences
Finishing Up
- Discuss career/grad school options with your professors
- Attend an academic or professional conference in your field like USITT
Transformation
Getting Started
- Take GEs that meet requirements & fuel your creativity
- Explore student projects and/or ways to get involved in a production crew
- Apply for scholarships in the dept./college
Making Progress
- Take advantage of office hours to get to know your professors & discuss your interests
- Participate in productions on campus & find opportunities to shadow or work on productions in the community
- Apply to experience our London Learning Abroad Program or explore other study abroad programs
- Participate in a workshop or training through the Counseling Center or Center for Student Wellness
Finishing Up
- Submit an original play or musical for development in the New Plays Workshop
- Share about your capstone project on the dept.'s news page
- Participate in graduation ceremonies & events
Impact
Getting Started
- Use your ArtsPass to access events
- Consider taking a CEL-course
- Meet with an advisor or Student Success Coach to discuss your interests & set goals for your time in college
Making Progress
- Get involved with Youth Theatre at the U during the summer
- Participate in ArtsForce events & activities
- Volunteer to work with SAC
- Consider running for a position in ASUU
- Check out the ArtsBridge Scholar program
- Get involved with the department's justice, equity, diversity, & inclusion committee
- Consider working toward Actor's Equity Association membership through jobs & internships
Finishing Up
- Develop a research project through UROP & present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Propose an event, workshop, or project for funding by the FAF grant program
Careers
Getting Started
- Meet with a pre-professional advisor and/or career coach to explore your interests
- Consider major/minor programs that complement your degree
- Apply for an Emerging Leaders Internship
Making Progress
- Attend talks by guest artists & other dept. events to network and learn about career opportunities
- Work on department productions & update your resume regularly
- Begin thinking about your online professional profile & ways to showcase your work
- Consider having your resume/professional documents reviewed by a Career Coach in the CPDC
- Explore grad school programs, if interested
Finishing Up
- Refine your resume & professional materials
- Apply for jobs and/or graduate school
- Attend career fairs & expos
- Connect with the department & college's alumni networks
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
The University of Utah’s Theatre Department is home to the state’s only BFA program in Stage Management. As one of four emphases of the Theatre BFA degree, the Stage Management program offers a practical, professionally-oriented curriculum that prepares you for careers in stage and production management. In this program you will develop an artistic sensibility as you acquire a strong working knowledge of technical production and the essential organizational and management skills needed to orchestrate the smooth execution of a production. You will take foundational courses in stage management and gain a fundamental understanding of theatre design disciplines, acting, and directing. This major is designed to provide you with a focused, comprehensive, dynamic, and challenging educational experience in a supportive environment. By working in teams, you benefit from peer mentorship and hone your collaboration skills as you learn new concepts. You can enhance your studies through guest lectures, workshops, and mentorships with working professionals, as well as electives in management and advanced theatrical techniques. The size of the program allows you to work on multiple departmental productions each year, with additional opportunities to shadow or work on productions with professional and semi-professional companies in the community. You can also elect to work towards Actor’s Equity Association membership through jobs and internships, or pursue projects in your area of interest with the support of university grants. With a core of rigorous fundamentals and numerous opportunities for exploration and enrichment, the Theatre BFA in Stage Management allows you to tailor your degree to fit your professional goals and pursue careers in stage and production management.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of the central elements of theatrical process and production.
- Analyze, contextualize, and communicate ideas about dramatic texts or performances from a broad range of traditions and periods, including our own.
- Demonstrate professionalism by being responsible, punctual, prepared, ethical, and engaged.
- Demonstrate discipline-specific knowledge, e.g., theatrical terminology, modern technology, and the job responsibilities of a stage manager in various genres and professional levels within the business.
- Communicate with production and non-production-oriented departments through effective leadership, collaboration, conflict navigation, and team management in both day-to-day and emergency situations.
- Apply self-awareness techniques through personal goal setting, self-reflection, boundary creation, self-care, and empathetic interpersonal connections to create healthy group and team dynamics amongst colleagues with commitment, vulnerability, and grace.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.