The Theatre Design/Technology BFA Program

The professional training program in theatre design/technology places major emphasis on studio/classroom training under the guidance of established working professionals. Students learn every aspect of theatre design and technology.

Professional training requires a logical and sequential conservatory program. The freshman year is an exploratory common program that stresses fundamental coursework and assigned tasks on actual productions. After the freshman year, the following concentrations are available:

1. scenic design
2. costume design
3. lighting design
4. costume technology
5. stage management
6. technical direction/production management

BFA Theatre Design/Technology (Applicants must apply using the SUNY Application. The Common Application is not available for this program)
Deadline to Apply:
Fall Admission: March 1, 2014
Spring admission not offered

Step 1: Apply Online:

BFA Acting & BFA Theatre Design/Technology Applicants: Apply online using the SUNY Application at www.suny.edu/Student/apply.* The application fee is $50. THE COMMON APPLICATION IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE BFA ACTING AND BFA THEATRE/DESIGN TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS.

*BFA Acting and BFA Theatre Design/Technology applicants are NOT required to submit the SUNY Supplemental Admission Form.

BA Theatre and Performance and BA Playwriting and Screenwriting applicants: You may apply using either the Common Application atwww.commonapp.org or the SUNY Application atwww.suny.edu/Student/apply. Please use only one application form. The application fee is $50. NOTE:  If applying for BA Theatre and Performance as well as the BFA Acting it will be necessary to submit the SUNY application and pay two application fees of $50 for each major.

The SUNY Supplemental Application is required only from BA Theatre and Performance and BA Playwriting and Screenwriting applicants.

Step 2:  Submit Academic Records:

Freshman applicants must submit the following information:

• High School transcripts or GED scores.
• SAT or ACT scores.
• One letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor. Letters of recommendation cannot be self-reported and should be mailed to the address below.

BE GREEN, GO PAPERLESS: Purchase College recommends you self-report your academic transcript information electronically through the SUNY Online Academic Record (SOAR) system.

Your transcript should not be mailed at the time you apply if you self-report your academic record online. Once you are accepted and indicate your intent to enroll, an official final transcript must then be sent from your high school to the address below.

If you are accepted to Purchase College, you must have your high school submit official copies of the following items (Official means documents are delivered in sealed envelopes from the school or delivered electronically directly from the school or testing service):

• Your official high school transcripts or GED scores
• Your official SAT or ACT scores (SAT/ACT scores and AP scores can be submitted electronically)

These items should be submitted electronically or mailed directly to:

Purchase College-Application Processing
279 Broadway
Albany, NY 12204-2755 

Transfer

BFA Theatre Design/Technology Deadline to Apply: (Applicants must apply using the SUNY Application. The Common Application is not available for this program)
Fall Admission: March 1, 2014
Spring admission not offered

BFA Acting & Theatre Design/Technology Applicants: Apply online using the SUNY Application at www.suny.edu/Student/apply.* The application fee is $50. THE COMMON APPLICATION IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE BFA ACTING AND BFA THEATRE/DESIGN TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS.

*NOTE:  BFA Acting and BFA Theatre Design/Technology applicants are NOT required to submit the SUNY Supplemental Admission Form.

BA Theatre and Performance and BA Playwriting and Screenwriting applicants: You may apply online using either the SUNY Application atwww.suny.edu/Student/apply or the Common Application atwww.commonapp.org. Please use only on application form. The application fee is $50. NOTE: If applying for BA Theatre and Performance as well as the BFA Acting it will be necessary to submit the SUNY application and pay two application fees of $50 for each major.

Step 2: Submit Academic Records:

Transfer students who have completed fewer than 24 college credits are strongly encouraged to complete SUNY Online Academic Record (SOAR) in order to speed the review process. If you choose to complete your academic record online, please note that once you are accepted and indicate your intent to enroll, an official final transcript must be sent from your high school to Purchase College. Please see the information regarding SOAR (SUNY Online Academic Record) in the Freshman instructions above.

Transfer applicants must submit:

• Official college transcripts from all colleges attended or in which you are currently enrolled*
• Official high school transcripts and SAT/ACT test scores, if you have earned fewer than 24 college credits**
• One letter of recommendation from a recent college professor (for non-traditional age applicants, a letter from an employer is satisfactory)
• BFA Acting applicants must submit one copy of this essay to Admissions by email at admessay@purchase.edu and submit another copy of the essay in-person at the BFA Acting audition. Please be sure to state your full name at the top of the essay.
• BA Theatre and Performance applicants are encouraged to submit supplemental materials (ie: resume, bio) that demonstrate one’s interest and experience in Theatre and Performance.

These items must be sent directly to:

Purchase College-Application Processing
279 Broadway
Albany, NY 12204-2755

*Students with under 24 college credits are required to submit official high school transcripts, SAT and/or ACT, and/or GED scores. Students who have completed over 24 college credits at the time of application completion may choose to only submit college transcripts, but it is possible the Office of Admissions will request these additional items upon application review. Students who have taken AP exams should have all official AP scores submitted for evaluation and possible transfer credit.

**”Official” means documents are delivered in sealed envelopes from the school or electronically directly from the school or testing service

Transfer Supplemental Form (NOT required of BFA applicants): BA Theatre and Performance ande BA Playwriting and Screenwriting applicants using the SUNY application must complete and submit the SUNY Transfer Supplemental Form. Be sure to complete all applicable sections of the form including the required statement. The supplemental form should be emailed directly to admessay@purchase.edu. The form is available in the following formats:

• PDF – Transfer Supplemental Form (13-14)
• Microsoft Word – Transfer Supplemental Form (13-14)

Common Application Supplemental: Applicants using the Common Application must complete and submit the Supplemental Application, Instructor Evaluations, and College Official’s Report in order for their application to be processed.

NOTE: Prior/current EOP/HEOP/SEEK/College Discovery students pleaseclick here for further instructions.

BFA Theatre Design/Technology Interview

Admission to the BFA Theatre Design/Technology program is highly selective and is based on a required interview with the Design/Technology faculty and a review of the students overall application by Admissions.  Only exceptionally talented students who can demonstrate a high level of ability, creativity and commitment in the interview will be offered admission.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT CALL THE DEPARTMENT TO SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW.  ALL INTERVIEWS ARE SCHEDULED ONLINE. The non-refundable interview fee of $50.00 must be submitted online at the time of your audition request.

Interview Requirements:

Read Night of the Iguana: Read the play Night of the Iguana, by Tennessee Williams.  Questions about this play will be asked during the interview.

Prepare a Resume:  Your resume should include a complete list of your theatrical experiences.  It should include titles of works, duties performed, locations of performances and the name of the directors, designers and stage managers with whom you have worked.  Bring one copy of your resume with you to the interview.

Prepare a Portfolio: Prepare and bring with you to the interview a portfolio that includes examples of design and/ or technical work that you have done in high school, community theatres, summer stock, or at other colleges.

Letters of Recommendation: Please bring two letters of recommendation (in sealed envelopes) with you when you come for your interview.

About the Portfolio:

Your portfolio materials should reflect your interest and/or work in one of the following potential areas of specialization:

Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scene Design, Costume Technology, Stage Management, or Technical Direction/Production Management.

Portfolio materials can include the following for each respective specialization:

• Costume Design – Drawings, paintings, and/or garments that you have made.  These items need not to be theatrical.
• Lighting Design – Drawings, paintings, photography, drafting plots and lighting plots.
• Scene Design – Drawings, paintings, still life or still life studies and drafting designs.
• Costume Technology – Samples of costume construction, photos of work that has been built, drawings and other artwork.
• Stage Management – Prompt scripts, cue sheets, ground plans, rehearsal notes and programs.
• Technical Direction/Production Management – Drafting samples, objects that you have built, photographs and production paperwork.

Design/Technology Program Interview Tour Dates

Purchase College
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014

*New York: @ Ripley Grier Studios, 520 8th Ave. (between 36th & 37th)
Saturday, January 25, 2014
THE FOLLOWING DATE HAS BEEN CANCELLED:
Saturday, Februray 1, 2014

Chicago: @ Hyatt Regency, 151 E. Wacker Dr.
Monday, February 3, 2014

Skype/telephone interviews are available if needed. Please emaildesign.technology@purchase.edu

Admission Decisions

Applicants will be notified of decisions on or around March 1, 2014.  If you are offered admission, you will need to accept our offer in writing and you will be required to submit  an enrollment deposit by May 1, 2014.