Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this program will:

• Interpret, collaborate, and develop ideas and abilities in practice.
• Construct and model graphic skills to communicate design ideas.
• Use discipline specific tools in design and production processes.
• Generate, organize, and integrate visual research, textual analysis, and material history.
• Prepare and plan entrepreneurial strategy towards a career in the live entertainment industry.
• Collaborate, combine, and synthesize design and technical skills through live production.

Program Requirements

The Master of Fine Arts: Design and Technology is a three-year, 60-credit-hour program in which students will choose to focus in one of the following areas:

Scenic Design

The Scenic Design focus is a rigorous program that prepares students for a successful and extensive career in theatre, opera, dance, commercial design, and other forms of creative design. Over three years, students in this program will focus on innovative projects related to visual storytelling in both theory and practical classes. A strong emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary collaboration between the Scenic Design MFAs and the community of other MFA design and technology students. In addition to coursework, students will have multiple design opportunities both within the conservatory and with regional theatre partners, culminating in a thesis project in their final year. After developing integral skills of the craft such as drafting, rendering, digital and physical model building, and working in the scenic studio to execute various productions in the main season, students will emerge as innovative collaborators, confidently entering the professional world of design for live entertainment.

Costume Design and Technology

The Costume Design and Technology focus prioritizes a balance between the art and craft of the discipline. Students' creative career aspirations will be met with personalized training from a faculty of established working professionals. The program prepares students for elite positions within the field, ranging from professional costume designer to costume shop manager and beyond, with its targeted courses that provide numerous experiences in both the creation and implementation of the costuming process.

Technical Direction

The Technical Direction focus is a dynamic program designed for hands-on, multi-faceted training. With small class sizes, students benefit from personalized mentorship and collaboration. The three-year program offers a robust blend of classroom learning, academic production leadership, and professional connections with Kansas City's vibrant theater scene. Gain industry-standard skills in CAD, fabrication, management, rigging, automation, and structural design. UMKC’s MFA program challenges students with real-world projects, preparing them for a competitive and evolving industry. Elevate your technical direction expertise and build a career on a foundation of excellence. 

Digital and Immersive Media

The Digital and Immersive Media Design focus offers an innovative program that prepares students to excel in the rapidly evolving fields of projection design, multimedia art, and immersive storytelling. This program focuses on practical and theoretical aspects of digital media creation for live performance across theatre, dance, and music. Students will develop essential skills in various software and techniques while working collaboratively with artists and performers in Kansas City's vibrant arts scene. Graduates will leave with a robust portfolio, equipped for diverse career paths in the creative industry.

Sound Design

The Sound Design focus prioritizes training in dramatic interpretation paired with a mastery of recording studio, audio production skills, and composition. Graduates in Sound Design program are prepared to design for professional theatres, broadcast productions, film compositions and more. 

Stage Management

The Stage Management focus provides a fusion of theory and practice, offering a broad base of knowledge in all aspects of production necessary for interactions with every part of the production process. The program emphasizes clear communication and problem-solving skills, vital for knowing the best ways to share important information quickly and appropriately. Graduate coursework balances comprehensive education with extensive production opportunities across the UMKC Conservatory in Theater, Dance and Music performance, as well as opportunities throughout the active Kansas City arts community, engaging students with practical experiences that will prepare them for a wide range of career options.