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Entertainment Design & Production

A lot happens behind the scenes in live theatre. Without scenery, lighting, props, costumes and more – there’s no magic on stage. With a BFA in entertainment design & production, you’ll get behind the magic.

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Dive In and Do It

Get hands-on experience working behind the scenes to produce dozens of shows starting your first year on campus!

Photo of Students work on crafting costumes for a project
backstage experiences
backstage experiences
Theater Production Student working backstage ropes
Theater Production Student mixing up a compound

Our unique program focuses on theatrical design, production and stage management – in the U.S. and internationally. You’ll graduate with a solid knowledge of the cultural and practical differences in theatre production, which will prepare you for a wide range of careers in theatre, opera and touring productions.

We may be small, but our opportunities are big. In fact, our theatre program rivals what you’d find at a conservatory. Our international theatre production students stage dozens of campus and community productions. Our students interact with renowned designers, directors, playwrights, and choreographers from the U.S. and countries like Ukraine, Scotland, Estonia, Ireland, Mexico, and England. They travel each year to the United States Institute of Theatre Technology conference so our students can make contacts with employers and companies from all over the United States. You can land incredible internships with theatre companies, and you can study abroad.

Here, you’ll be part of a family. You’ll enjoy small class sizes and amazing friendships. Our distinguished professors will bring out the best in you from the moment you arrive on campus until you graduate. They will become personally invested in your success.

On campus, you’ll study and work in top-notch facilities with the latest equipment. The Freed Center for the Performing Arts includes a 550-seat proscenium theatre, a 132-seat studio theatre, rehearsal rooms, scenic and costume shops, smart classrooms, computer lab, and design studio. 

The entertainment design and production minor program is open to students from all majors. It’s designed for students who are interested in the technical aspects of backstage operations of the theatre – the intersection of technology and theatre. You’ll gain aesthetic, theoretical, experiential and creative knowledge of various aspects of theatre as well as considerable practical experience. The program requires 20 credit hours of courses on topics such as stagecraft, lighting and sound design, costume design, stage management and technical direction. 

ENTERTAINMENT DESIGN AND PRODUCTION COURSES, CURRICULUM & PROGRAM RESOURCES

The flexibility of our program means you can double major or add a minor to expand your career options. Take courses in Advanced Stagecraft; Technical Direction; Costume Design; Lighting Design; Stage Combat; Scenic Design and Make-up.

  • Four-Year Curriculum
  • Dance Minor
  • Arts Administration Minor
  • Learning Outcomes
  • Faculty

Audition & Talent Awards

Although we don’t require an audition for the entertainment, design, & production major, you may audition if you want to be considered for talent awards.

  • Talent Awards
  • Audition Information

Space to grow your talent

Very few small universities can rival our impressive performance venues. They combine beauty, function and technical capabilities, giving you a well-rounded experience.

Grow your talents on stage
Grow your talents on stage
Grow your talents on stage
Grow your talents on stage
Grow your talents on stage
Grow your talents on stage  - india fullbright
  • An international internship or study abroad is required of entertainment design & production majors. We provide one-on-one support to help you find an awesome experience. Our professors have extensive connections with theatres and universities in many different countries. If we don’t have an existing connection where you want to travel, we’ll forge one just for you. We truly go above and beyond to find you a study abroad opportunity that matches your interest. Our students have studied or interned in Scotland, Australia, France, South Africa, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Finland, and more.

  • We partner with the University of Salford located in Manchester, England, the country’s second largest city and home to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). You could spend a semester studying at the University of Salford; collaborate with Salford students on artistic productions; intern at the BBC; or participate in workshops and seminars at ONU given by visiting Salford professors. We also partner with Rakvere Theatre, a professional repertoire theatre located in a small town in northeastern Estonia. Established in 1940, the Rakvere Theatre has an ensemble of 18 actors and is known for both classical and avant-garde productions. Estonia is bordered by the countries of Finland, Sweden, and Latvia. Opportunities include providing technical support for Rakvere Theatre production in Canada, learning from Estonia directors, actors and technical crew who provide master classes at ONU; and interning at Rakvere.

  • Help produce, direct, translate and star in an international play on campus. Taking place every other year, the International Play Festival has featured works from Germany, Cuba, Canada, Japan, the Native American tradition, and more. We either commission a new work by an international playwright or create the first English-language translation of an existing work. Professional international theatre artists visit campus and work directly with students on the production, teaching them about their country’s history, culture, people, and traditions as they connect to the world of theatre.

  • Fearless Shenanygans is about having fun and the freedom to create. The improv group rehearses once a week and produces one show a month on campus. Every year, one or two guest improv artists come to campus to interact with the group. Join Fearless Shenanygans and you’ll learn to use tools and games to hone your improv skills. You’ll also develop skills that are useful in any profession – including creativity, listening skills, and the ability to think on your feet. And most importantly, you’ll forge new friendships while having a blast!

  • From Toledo to Chicago, New York City to Manchester, England, embark on trips and tours to expand your understanding of the arts. You’ll have a chance to attend national conferences in major U.S. cities for the United States Institute of Theatre Technology.

  • If you achieve a high level of quality in theatre study and production, you’ll be invited to join our Ohio Epsilon Chapter of Theta Alpha Phi, the oldest nationwide educational theatre honor society in the world. Theta Alpha Phi is dedicated to making theatre a fulfilling experience for all students. Past activities of our campus chapter have included a performance and silent auction to benefit the Broadway Cares, Equity Fights AIDS organization, and the funding of a student trip to Chicago.

Screenshot from video of Gavin Creel

Encounter the theatre world’s most famed professionals

We bring renowned professionals to campus for workshops and master classes, including ZFX (flying workshop); Chicago Fly House (fall arrest and aerial lift training); Great Lake Sound (digital soundboards) and Sapsis Rigging (rigging).

A Behind-the-Scenes Look

Stage Door Podcast recently featured ONU's musical theatre program providing a behind-the-scenes look at what life is really like for students. 

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A post shared by Stage Door Podcast (@stagedoorpodcast)

Tony Award winning actor Gavin Creel works with Ohio Northern University Department of Theatre students during a master class.

A master class with Gavin Creel

Tony Award-winning actor Gavin Creel taught a master class at Ohio Northern University to students in the theatre program. Creel has been acting on the stage and screen for more than 20 years and has starred in Broadway productions such as Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hair, The Book of Mormon and Hello Dolly! Most recently, he performed opposite Sara Bareilles in the Broadway production of Waitress.

End game: a fulfilling entertainment design and production career

Our alumni are finding success in the U.S. theatre world, overseas and in the areas of opera and touring production. Check out where some of our alumni have landed:

Careers in Entertainment Design and Production:
- Designer
- Stage manager
- Event planner
- Exhibit artist
- Theatre manager
- Scenic artist
- Company manager
- Rigger
- Props manager
- Wardrobe manager
- Concert technician

  • Walt Disney Co. - You can get there from here
  • Alley Theatre - You can get there from here
  • weathervane playhouse - You can get there from here
  • Sante fe opera - You can get there from here
  • Houston Grand Opera - You can get there from here
  • Goodman Theatre - You can get there from here

Frequently Asked Questions

  • ONU offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in entertainment design & production. This comprehensive degree focuses on technical theatre, design, and stage management. The program covers a wide array of production disciplines, including lighting, scenic, costume, sound design, stagecraft, makeup, and technical direction.

  • You start gaining practical, hands-on experience during your very first year on campus. Student technicians and designers work directly on dozens of campus and community productions each year in scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, and stage management.

  • Students train and work in the Freed Center for the Performing Arts, a modern venue equipped with industry-standard technology. Facilities include a 550-seat proscenium theatre, a 132-seat studio theatre, dedicated scenic and costume construction shops, computer labs, smart classrooms, and design studios.

  • Yes. International perspective is a cornerstone of ONU’s program, and an international internship or study abroad experience is required for BFA entertainment design & production majors. ONU faculty maintain global connections to help pair you with study abroad programs or technical internships in countries such as the UK, Estonia, France, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand.

  • Graduates are prepared for technical and creative leadership roles across the global entertainment industry. Alumni work as stage managers, lighting designers, scenic designers, technical directors, costume shop managers, and audio engineers for Broadway productions, national touring shows, regional theatres, theme parks, and live event production companies.

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