About the Undergraduate Design and Stage Management Major
Housed within the Department of Performing Arts in the School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies, the BFA in Design and Stage Management places you at the heart of a vibrant creative community of faculty, staff and peers that inspire and support you in the development of your artistic voice.
Students begin their journey in our dynamic BFA Design and Stage Management with a foundational core of hands-on and critical thought courses where curiosity meets craft. From the expressive artistry of rendering to the precision of drafting, from creating imaginative designs to stage managers orchestrating all aspects of the rehearsal and performance process, each course invites you to explore a new dimension of storytelling.
Our BFA major ensures that every student develops a versatile, well-rounded understanding of production, empowering you to step confidently into advanced coursework with both creative insight and technical fluency.
In studios, shops, and our five renowned performance venues, you’ll be encouraged to experiment boldly, take creative risks, and push past the expected. We are a community where curiosity is your greatest tool and originality is the goal, helping you cultivate a successful career in a constantly evolving entertainment industry.
Available Concentrations
- Costume Design
- Lighting Design
- Scenic Design
- Stage Management
As you step into the spring of your sophomore year, your path begins to take on a distinct creative identity. This is the moment you choose your concentration: Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, or Stage Management—each one a doorway into a specialized artistic journey. Your training becomes a deep dive into the skills and professional standards built around your chosen concentration, through studio-driven classes, exciting collaborations, and production experiences that mirror the energy of real performance environments.
The Theatrical Design and Production program has given me the perfect balance of space and guidance to come into my own as a designer and as a person. This program has given me the confidence to go into the world knowing who I am and what I make.
The Stage Management program enables you to be in leadership positions on Emerson Stage shows, in which you learn what works best for you and allows for you to continue adding skills to your ‘tool belt’ with each project.
Real-World Experience as a Theater Artist
Design and Stage Management majors have the opportunity to gain real-world learning experience in our program. A few examples are:
- As your skills grow and your creative voice sharpens, you will gain access to assignments in production, design, and stage management for Emerson Stage (the producing wing of the Department of Performing Arts). Through mentorship and guidance, faculty and professional production staff will support and challenge you through this process. Here, you won’t just observe; you’ll participate in bringing full-scale productions to life, pushing you to think bigger, work smarter, and rise to the demands of a fast-paced, professional environment.
- In your senior year, you’ll take part in a culminating showcase presented to working industry professionals, including our strong alumni community. This opportunity puts your work in front of the people shaping today’s theater landscape. You’ll gain invaluable feedback from leading voices in the field while expanding your professional network in a meaningful, real-world setting.
- Beyond campus, students step directly into Boston’s thriving professional theater scene, collaborating with acclaimed companies such as the American Repertory Theater, Huntington Theatre Company, Boston Ballet, Commonwealth Shakespeare, Front Porch Collective, Boston Pops, SpeakEasy Stage Company, Company One, and Lyric Stage Company, among many others.
Careers for Design and Stage Management Majors
Our Design and Stage Management graduates obtain employment in a variety of entertainment disciplines. A selected few examples of careers include:
- Costume Designer
- Stitcher
- Wardrobe Supervisor
- Lighting Designer
- Production Electrician
- Scenic Designer
- Scene Painter
- Props Artist
- Assistant Director (Film)
- Production Designer
- Set Decorator
- Company Manager
- Production Coordinator (Live Television)
- Touring Stage Manager
- General Manager
- Production Stage Manager
- Show Caller and Deck Manager (Corporate Events)
- Production Manager
- Corporative and Event Design
Notable Performing Arts Alumni
- Cate Agis, Assistant Stage Manager, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Broadway)
- Joe Burt, Scenic Designer
- Vanessa Coakley, Stage Manager, Aladdin (First National Tour)
- Davin De Santis, Production Stage Manager, Moulin Rouge (Broadway)
- Ryan Healey, Lighting Designer and Creative Design for Live Events/Award Shows
- Ryan Kane, Stage Manager, Oh, Mary! and Rocky Horror Picture Show (Broadway)
- Steven Kaplan, Production Manager, Super Bowl pre-show and many live television events
- Tyler Kinney, Costume and Scene Designer, TDK Design Associates. Emmy Award for The Studio
- Davis Kranchalk, Live Events Technician, Walt Disney World
- Dom Letterii, Wardrobe Supervisor, NYC
- Pepper Lohr, Director of Entertainment for Virgin Voyages
- Kirk Miller, Co-Founder, Earlybird Live Entertainment Design, Emmy Award for Jesus Christ Superstar, Live on NBC with John Legend
- Taylor Ness, Associate Director of Theatre Operations, The Calderwood Pavillion
- Kailey Pellitier, Automation Specialist, Carnival Cruise Lines
- Piper Phillips, Lighting Designer
- Jalaina Ross, General Manager, Foresight Theatrical, Buena Vista Social Club (Broadway)
- Taylor Starr, Stage Manager, O, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
- Ryan Sweeney, Company Manager, Proof, The Last Five Years, Cabaret (Broadway)
- Joshua Warner, Principal Designer and Founder, Joshua Warner Design
- Jon Wyand, Entertainment Manager, Walt Disney World
Emerson's Theatrical Design and Production program has allowed me to get hands-on technical theatre experience at a level that I never realized was possible. Even as a transfer student, I feel confident in my ability to work as a professional theatre artist and technician because of the experiences I have had here.
...The hands-on professional experience that we receive from Emerson Stage productions, serving as members on stage management and production management teams, has helped me grow to become a better theater practitioner and a better person.
