Graduate School Search: Lighting Design

[DavidAhumada]

I am currently searching for a graduate program to attend in order to get a MFA in Lighting Design. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for strong programs?

[Footer]

While we can spout of "good" schools, picking a grad school is much different then picking a undergrad program. Most people describe picking a grad school as picking a mentor. You want to find a program that has a faculty member that you really connect with. I have not done the grad thing so I can't speak from experience, but this is the advice I have received from nearly everyone that I have talked to on the subject.

[bdkdesigns]

URTA.com. Specifically the Chicago location. It tends to get the biggest turnout, I ended up with about 15 interviews in just one location. Start there and also do visits to other schools and find out for yourself.

[Grog12]

Graduate school is definetly all about finding a mentor and a program that fits you. There are alot of strong programs out there. Here's our CA on colleges in general http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/c...ographics.html

I'll always plug my Alma Matta UNLV. But that doesn't mean its for you.
UF has a strong program, University of Tennese, CCM.

I can keep going, and probably name another 10 or 20 schools. But that won't mean anything to you until you meet the proffesors there.

Research the programs, research the proffessors. And know where you want to end up geographically in your life.

Make sure to go to URTA's, write down a list of questions of things that are important to you (not stupid things like "How much money will I get" "How many desgins will I get a year"). Ask them where their students are ending up so you can see if it will help you down the path you want to take. You want to make sure you'll be filling the holes in the knowledge you allready have. You're going to talk to a lot of people, make sure you find a way to remember who they all are.

Also, go to USITT. URTA's isn't the only way into a graduate school

[derekleffew]

A colleague and I were talking about this just the other day, and I mentioned that if I were looking for a graduate school in lighting, Carnegie-Mellon University would be at the very top of my list--its location in Pittsburgh notwithstanding.

For one, they have always maintained an excellent reputation (arguably second only to Yale School of Drama), and I was very impressed by one of their graduates. I believe their Technical Director (dbthetd) is a member here. Also, they have just recruited one of the top concert lighting designers, Abigail Rosen Holmes as an associate professor of Lighting Design.

Just my 2¢.

[dramatech]

I have worked with quite a few that have attended the Carolina School of the Arts and Carnegie Mellon. Both seem to teach their students real world knowlege.

[Grog12]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

A colleague and I were talking about this just the other day, and I mentioned that if I were looking for a graduate school in lighting, Carnegie-Mellon University would be at the very top of my list--its location in Pittsburgh notwithstanding.

For one, they have always maintained an excellent reputation (arguably second only to Yale School of Drama), and I was very impressed by one of their graduates. I believe their Technical Director (dbthetd) is a member here. Also, they have just recruited one of the top concert lighting designers, Abigail Rosen Holmes as an associate professor of Lighting Design.

Just my 2¢.

CM is another one of the 10-20 I would have named.

[museav]

I'll toss in my Alma Mater, Lighting Design : College of Liberal Arts : Purdue University.

[icewolf08]

I had the opportunity to work with Kenton Yeager, the lighting professor from the MFA program at the University of Tennessee Knoxville about a year ago. He designed a show for us and brought along one of his students as his assistant. From all of the conversations we had over the time they were here, it sounded like a great program. Both he and his student were very good to work with. It sounds like they offer an amazing program with lots of "real world" opportunities. So that might be a program worth checking out.

[JChenault]

Originally Posted by DavidAhumada

I am currently searching for a graduate program to attend in order to get a MFA in Lighting Design. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for strong programs?

David

One thing that is important to understand is 'What are you looking to get from Grad School' and 'What do you want to do when you get out'.

If you want to teach at a university - there is a set of 'top' schools. If you want a career as a professional designer of broadway musicals, there is another. If you just want to be the LD for touring music shows there would be another set.

Can you define what you want grad school to give you?