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 THROUGH YOUR MYPURCHASE ACCOUNT AS FOLLOWS:

Step 1: Your application is received and processed by Admissions (Allow up to two weeks for processing).

Step 2: Within two weeks of receipt of your application Admissions will email you to log into your online MyPurchase web account. If you do not have a MyPurchase account you will be prompted to create one.

Step 3: Follow the instructions in your MyPurchase account to request your interview date online. A non-refundable interview fee of $50.00 is due online upon submitting your request to interview. 

IMPORTANT: You must allow up to two weeks for the processing of your application before attempting to request an interview through your myPurchase account.  Only after this two week application processing period has passed will your myPurchase account page provide you with the link to request an interview.  

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 27, 2012
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013

*New York: @ Ripley Grier Studios, 520 8th Ave. (between 36th & 37th)
Saturday, February 2, 2013

Chicago: @ Hyatt Regency, 151 E. Wacker Dr.
Monday, February 4, 2013

*Students who live in the New York tri-state area should attend an on-campus interview unless conflicts exist.

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

Admission Decisions

Applicants will be notified of decisions on or around March 1, 2013.  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, 2013.