BFA Production & Design at Northwestern State University | stageready

Public school5.5K

Northwestern State University

Natchitoches, LA

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Program

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Production & Design

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No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

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In-Person or Virtual

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BFA Musical Theatre

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No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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BFA Dance

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No PrescreenScholarship AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

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BS Theatre

General

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No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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BS Theatre

Performance & Directing

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Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenScholarship AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Quick Links

BFA Production & Design

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionScholarship InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program Recognition

•NAST accredited — one of only 150 programs in the U.S.

•Designated Center of Excellence in the Arts by the University of Louisiana System

Training

•Hands-on experience in lighting, set design, costume design, and stage management

•Work on 4-6 full stage productions per semester

•Learn from working professionals with industry and academic experience

Professional Development

•Summer production opportunities

•Build an industry-ready portfolio through real productions

•Career paths in scenic design, costume design, stage management, and technical direction

Facilities

•Scene shop, costume shop, light shop, sound shop, and paint shop

•Design lab with computers, digitizer tablets, Photoshop, Adobe Suite, Vectorworks, AutoCAD

•42-inch color plotter for design output

•State-of-the-art lighting including ETC boards and Varilite moving lights

Academic info

Snapshot

93%

Admit Rate

school-wide

44%

Grad Rate

5.5K

Enrollment

$47K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$13,606

after typical aid

In-State Tuition

$8,864

before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$19,652

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$11,693

$30-48k$12,261

$48-75k$12,549

$75-110k$17,777

$110k+$19,077

View full data on College Scorecard

Program info updated 5d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•NAST accredited — one of only 150 programs in the U.S.

•Designated Center of Excellence in the Arts by the University of Louisiana System

Training

•Hands-on experience in lighting, set design, costume design, and stage management

•Work on 4-6 full stage productions per semester

•Learn from working professionals with industry and academic experience

Professional Development

•Summer production opportunities

•Build an industry-ready portfolio through real productions

•Career paths in scenic design, costume design, stage management, and technical direction

Facilities

•Scene shop, costume shop, light shop, sound shop, and paint shop

•Design lab with computers, digitizer tablets, Photoshop, Adobe Suite, Vectorworks, AutoCAD

•42-inch color plotter for design output

•State-of-the-art lighting including ETC boards and Varilite moving lights

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

•NAST accredited — one of only 150 programs in the U.S.

•Designated Center of Excellence in the Arts by the University of Louisiana System

Training

•Hands-on experience in lighting, set design, costume design, and stage management

•Work on 4-6 full stage productions per semester

•Learn from working professionals with industry and academic experience

Professional Development

•Summer production opportunities

•Build an industry-ready portfolio through real productions

•Career paths in scenic design, costume design, stage management, and technical direction

Facilities

•Scene shop, costume shop, light shop, sound shop, and paint shop

•Design lab with computers, digitizer tablets, Photoshop, Adobe Suite, Vectorworks, AutoCAD

•42-inch color plotter for design output

•State-of-the-art lighting including ETC boards and Varilite moving lights

Key Info

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Fees

Domestic Fee

$20Waiver

International Fee

$30

Deadline

Regular DecisionRolling

Program AppApplication

Apply

Auditions

Scholarship Interview (Natchitoches, LA)Sep 19, 2026

Scholarship Interview (Natchitoches, LA)Sep 26, 2026

Scholarship Interview (Natchitoches, LA)Oct 25, 2026

Scholarship Interview (Natchitoches, LA)Oct 31, 2026

Scholarship Interview (Natchitoches, LA)Feb 20, 2027

Scholarship Interview (Natchitoches, LA)Feb 28, 2027

Scholarship Interview (Natchitoches, LA)Mar 13, 2027

Scholarship Interview (Natchitoches, LA)Apr 24, 2027

Submission Requirements

Portfolio

•Bring to scholarship interview

•Previous work and production photographs

•Designs, artwork, and drawings

•Prompt scripts and director's book

•Any other materials demonstrating work experience, skills, and talent

Official Source

Good to Know

Eligibility

•Must maintain 2.5 GPA to participate in productions

•Scholarships available to majors only

What's The Process

Audition Process

•Contact Brett Garfinkel at garfinkelb@nsula.edu to schedule an interview

•If unable to attend a scheduled date, request an alternative

•Phone: 318-357-4483

•Fall: September 19, September 26, October 25, October 31

•Spring: February 20, February 28, March 13, April 24

•Video/virtual submissions accepted year-round

Audition Expectations

•Portfolio-based interview with faculty

•In-person on campus in Natchitoches, LA

•Video/virtual interviews also accepted

•Dress in business/casual attire

Scholarship Info

Talent Scholarships

•Scholarships available based on portfolio review and interview

•Available to declared majors only

•Students must reapply each year

•Scholarship increases possible for students showing improvement

•Scholarships may be reduced or revoked for GPA below 2.5 or lack of improvement

Out-of-State Tuition Waiver

•Available to out-of-state students receiving theatre/dance scholarships

Academic info

Snapshot

93%

Admit Rate

school-wide

44%

Grad Rate

5.5K

Enrollment

$47K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

Average Annual Cost

$13,606

after typical aid

In-State Tuition

$8,864

before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$19,652

before aid

Average annual cost reflects the grants and scholarships most students receive.

$0-30k$11,693

$30-48k$12,261

$48-75k$12,549

$75-110k$17,777

$110k+$19,077

View full data on College Scorecard

Program Recognition

•NAST accredited — one of only 150 programs in the U.S.

•Designated Center of Excellence in the Arts by the University of Louisiana System

Training

•Hands-on experience in lighting, set design, costume design, and stage management

•Work on 4-6 full stage productions per semester

•Learn from working professionals with industry and academic experience

Professional Development

•Summer production opportunities

•Build an industry-ready portfolio through real productions

•Career paths in scenic design, costume design, stage management, and technical direction

Facilities

•Scene shop, costume shop, light shop, sound shop, and paint shop

•Design lab with computers, digitizer tablets, Photoshop, Adobe Suite, Vectorworks, AutoCAD

•42-inch color plotter for design output

•State-of-the-art lighting including ETC boards and Varilite moving lights

Updated 5d ago

Northwestern State University

Browse programs

Program Highlights

Key Info

Submission Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

Academic info

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

Key Info

Submission Requirements

Good to Know

What's The Process

Scholarship Info

School Info