Master of Fine Arts in Theater - Lighting Design

The Lighting Program is fueled by passion — passion for the ability of light to transform, and for the potential of the theatrical event.In the program, you'll find technical and creative training in class that's augmented by yearly production assignments. Designing and assisting on realized productions will give you the opportunity to articulate your artistic voice and learn to work effectively as part of a collaborative team.You'll get individual mentorship that is supportive and challenging, both in the classroom and in the theater. This close mentoring relationship is an integral part of the lighting program — each graduate class is kept small to allow for meaningful one-on-one relationships between professors and students.At the same time, you'll also get to practice teaching both inexperienced and experienced undergraduates, and you'll be mentored in developing your own educational skills.When you've completed your graduate work, you'll find you're part of a valuable network of UMass graduates in the professional field. And you'll have the artistic, technical, and professional skills that you'll need for work in professional theater or the academy.

All of the materials can be submitted online. Required of all MFA program areas:The main Graduate School application, including Personal Statement.Transcripts of all previous academic workResume of relevant professional experienceAt least two letters of recommendation (you may submit three)NOTE: We do not require the GREs for admission to any of our MFA programs.An applicant’s undergraduate degree need not be in Theater, but previous training and experience should be comparable to that required for the Bachelor of Arts in Theater at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Applicants with incomplete backgrounds in theater who show exceptional artistic promise may be admitted provisionally. Lighting Design also requires:A portfolio in a format of your choosing. The portfolio may include draftings, light plots and paperwork, photographs or slides of executed projects, or samples of graphic or other applied arts. Descriptive accounts of each item in the portfolio should be included.