Scene Design

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre: Scenic Design

Creating Connections

Our goal at the University of Arkansas is to provide MFA scenic design candidates with the opportunity to develop their artistic voice by equipping them with the skills and tools to become visual storytellers. Students are given the opportunity to practice the process of taking a design from an idea to reality though project work and fully supported productions. Technical understanding and skills in producing scene design is also stressed.

We are now accepting applications for the MFA Graduate Design cohort, which will begin Fall semester of 2026. PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS TO THE DESIGN  AREA is February 1, 2026, early applications are strongly encouraged.

Please review application process below and submit your application via our application  portal.

About the Program

MFA scene design students learn in the classroom through rigorous project work and through real world application by producing high quality productions. The program is sufficiently flexible to meet the individual needs of the student and offers strong guidance and mentorship while providing a wide range of classes, training and experiences.

Developing a strong portfolio of fully realized designs with careful mentorship is a primary goal of the program, along with exploring non-traditional design opportunities through extensive studio course work.  We offer MFAs in Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Scene Design, Costume Design, and Lighting Design—which fosters a collaborative environment through working with directors, peer designers and theatre technicians in creating theatrical productions.

We believe in the importance of well-rounded future professional theatre practitioners and educators who have artistic, intellectual and practical skills that will allow them to be life-long engaged theatre artists.

The Department of Theatre seeks M.F.A. Designers for admission to our program beginning Fall 2026. While the priority deadline for applications to the Design areas is Feb, 1, 2026, applications will be accepted and considered until all the positions are filled. If you are considering applying, please promptly submit your application via our application  portal.

If you have any questions, please contact Shawn Irish, Head of Design, with questions @ sirish@uark.edu.

Applicants wishing to apply to the MFA Design Programs should prepare to provide:

  • Applicant Information
  • Unofficial Transcript, including GPA
  • A résumé detailing academic experience, professional work in the theatre, and other relevant work experience.
  • A Personal Statement, two pages (max), addressing the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue an M.F.A. in Costume, Scene or Lighting Design. The statement should also discuss the applicant’s goals after completion of the program. Applicants are welcome to share other relevant information that might give the selection committee perspective on their application.
  • A portfolio of work that highlights your creative research, ideas, and design perspective. This could include photographs of realized productions, renderings, costume construction, class projects, personal artwork, or any other materials that best showcase your skills and ideas including unrealized work. Lighting and Scenery portfolios should include drafting samples as well. We are interested in how your portfolio reflects your unique point of view as an artist and storyteller. Please make sure to include your first and last names in the filename. You may provide a link to your website of upload a PDF version of your portfolio.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation from theatre professionals, professors, or other people who are familiar with the applicant and/or their work. One of the recommendations must speak directly to the applicant’s theatrical work.

The GRE Test is not required for admission to the M.F.A. Program in Costume, Scene or Lighting Design.

Final admission into the MFA Program requires a formal application to the University of Arkansas Graduate School. This step is not necessary until one has been invited to interview for the MFA Programs in Costume, Scene or Lighting Design.

To apply to the Graduate School, one should expect to provide: Current official transcript (official transcripts must come from a College or University Registrar or similar office). If an applicant's undergraduate career is incomplete at the time of application, a final, official transcript must be sent to the Graduate School before registration can begin.

We offer Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships.

  • Design MFA candidates work in their respective labs in fulfillment of their Graduate Assistantships.

Our assistantships pay for all tuition (excluding fees) and give a minimum 9-month $17,325 stipend each academic year. The Graduate School offers competitive merit-based fellowships to provide additional financial support to outstanding incoming students. These competitive, merit-based fellowhips award an additional $4000 each year to select students.  There are other select scholarships for which you might be eligible, as well. Summer assistantships are also sometimes available.

All new graduate assistants must have background checks before they can be appointed.  All offers are contingent on a successful background check, no work can begin until the check is complete.

 A typical candidate pursuing scene design will have the opportunity to design a minimum of two fully mounted productions and a maximum of five in a variety of venues.

MFA scene design candidates can also serve as a scene design assistant, assistant technical director, properties manager, sound designer, projection and/or media designer, or special effects coordinator. Challenging scripts, cutting edge playwrights, new works, Shakespeare, period pieces and musicals provide exposure to a wide variety of styles and authors.

We provide the graduate MFA candidate in scene design with the opportunities and experiences to be competitive in the job market through developing– a portfolio of work, a resume a website, internships as well as providing design and technical assignments.

Masterclasses and production experiences with professional theatre artists enhances the programs intensive curriculum. Recent guest artists include Christine Jones, Howell Binkley and Tim Saternow.

Northwest Arkansas is home to many active theatre companies. The Department of Theatre has local partnerships with TheatreSquared - Arkansas’ only year-round professional theatre company, Arts Live - the regions only dedicated children’s and youth theatre company, The Classical Edge - the only professional company dedicated to producing the works and adaptations of Shakespeare and other classical playwrights, and Trike Theatre - a professional theatre for youth located in Bentonville.

Scene designers are supported by a well-equipped shop that is staffed by a full-time professional scene shop manager, a full-time prop and scenic artist as well as a faculty Technical Director. 

The Department of Theatre typically produces six productions a year with generous budgets in three different venues giving designers a variety of experiences.

  • The University Theater is a 315-seat proscenium theatre, housing fully equipped scenery, and costume construction facilities and up to date lighting, sound and rigging systems.
  • The UA Black Box Theater is a 181-seat flexible black box space, located on the Downtown Fayetteville Square opened in April 2018. This theatre features state of the art sound, lighting and production systems.
  • Studio 404 in Kimpel Hall is a 75-seat black box space which accommodates student directed, projects, experimental productions and new play workshops.

As part of their training, MFA Scene design candidates are required to complete one professional internship. Past students have worked at the Santa Fe Opera, The Lyric Theatre, and The Barter Theatre to name a few.

Students are encouraged to seek out opportunities to serve as assistant designers for professional designers in Chicago, New York City, and other metropolitan cities.

Travel to Conferences

Each year the Graduate School and the Department of Theatre offers financial assistance to qualified students, enabling them to attend and participate in regional and national conferences and professional auditions.

USITT

The Design and Technology faculty are all active members of USITT and have served on a number of panels at the national conference. Students have the opportunity to attend and present their work either at the "Cover the Walls" exhibit or the "Design Expo" and are encouraged to join this wonderful organization. Each year the conference is held in an exciting destination that showcases live theatre and event production.


Theatre Studies in London

Students have the opportunity to travel to London for this five-week course. Outside of class, students view at least 12 professional theatre performances at the National Theatre, RSC and London’s West End, tour theatres and historic theatre sites, and take master classes with actors, designers, directors, and critics from the English stage.

Excursions include trips to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and Bath to view the costume collection house there among many others.

Nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville and its Northwest Arkansas environs are fast becoming a cultural destination. The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, only adds to the area's already rich cultural legacy and has announced plans to open a new space for contemporary performance and art.

Fayetteville and the surrounding area of Bentonville, Rogers and Springdale is home to a thriving theatre community. Dazzling architecture and abundant live music, together with the area's natural beauty and congenial urban environment are found in the area. With its many restaurants and cafés and its tradition of live music, Fayetteville is often referred to as Austin's younger cousin.

 

Sample Plan of Study

Fall Semester

  • Scene Design Studio
  • Drafting for the Designer
  • Digital Design for Theatre

Spring Semester

  • Scene Technology Studio – Scene Painting
  • Design Portfolio Development
  • Drafting for the Designer

Summer

  • Internship

Fall Semester

  • Scene Design Studio
  • Collaboration
  • Elective

Spring Semester

  • Scene Technology Studio
  • Rendering for Theatre
  • Script Analysis

Summer

  • Internship
 Fall Semester
  • Scene Design Studio
  • History of Decor
  • Thesis

Spring Semester

  • Scene Technology Studio
  • Thesis
  • Design Capstone

For a complete list of graduate courses, please visit the catalog of studies.