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Otterbein University

Westerville, OH

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Browse programs

Quick links

BFA Theatre Design and Technology

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

Prescreen RequiredNo AuditionInterview RequiredUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Moderately SelectiveUnder 12 Students

Training

Immersive, hands-on program covering all areas of technical theatre — scenic/properties, lighting, sound, costumes, and stage management

From the very first semester, students work in valuable positions on mainstage productions

Students progress from entry-level crew to highest-level positions including mainstage design roles

Productions staged in a 1,200-seat proscenium theatre and a smaller thrust space

Notable Alumni

T.J. Gerckens — Drama Desk Award-winning lighting designer; credits include Broadway's Metamorphoses, Metropolitan Opera, La Scala Milan (now Otterbein faculty)

David Robinson — costume designer who assisted on Broadway's Phantom of the Opera; Emmy-nominated for Escape at Dannemora

Professional Development

Potential ten-week internship at a New York or professional regional theatre

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

Alumni working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at Walt Disney World, and regional theatres nationwide

Degree Flexibility

Most students elect to focus upper-level study in one or two concentration areas

Annual evaluations and workshops on portfolios and resumes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2026: 6 students

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.63

Admit rate

85%

school-wide

Grad rate

68%

Enrollment

2.2K

Earnings

$53K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$38,040

Before aid

Average net price

$19,237

After aid

Affordability · otterbein.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Sep 3, 7:50 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Immersive, hands-on program covering all areas of technical theatre — scenic/properties, lighting, sound, costumes, and stage management

From the very first semester, students work in valuable positions on mainstage productions

Students progress from entry-level crew to highest-level positions including mainstage design roles

Productions staged in a 1,200-seat proscenium theatre and a smaller thrust space

Notable Alumni

T.J. Gerckens — Drama Desk Award-winning lighting designer; credits include Broadway's Metamorphoses, Metropolitan Opera, La Scala Milan (now Otterbein faculty)

David Robinson — costume designer who assisted on Broadway's Phantom of the Opera; Emmy-nominated for Escape at Dannemora

Professional Development

Potential ten-week internship at a New York or professional regional theatre

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

Alumni working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at Walt Disney World, and regional theatres nationwide

Degree Flexibility

Most students elect to focus upper-level study in one or two concentration areas

Annual evaluations and workshops on portfolios and resumes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2026: 6 students

Program Highlights

Training

Immersive, hands-on program covering all areas of technical theatre — scenic/properties, lighting, sound, costumes, and stage management

From the very first semester, students work in valuable positions on mainstage productions

Students progress from entry-level crew to highest-level positions including mainstage design roles

Productions staged in a 1,200-seat proscenium theatre and a smaller thrust space

Notable Alumni

T.J. Gerckens — Drama Desk Award-winning lighting designer; credits include Broadway's Metamorphoses, Metropolitan Opera, La Scala Milan (now Otterbein faculty)

David Robinson — costume designer who assisted on Broadway's Phantom of the Opera; Emmy-nominated for Escape at Dannemora

Professional Development

Potential ten-week internship at a New York or professional regional theatre

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

Alumni working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at Walt Disney World, and regional theatres nationwide

Degree Flexibility

Most students elect to focus upper-level study in one or two concentration areas

Annual evaluations and workshops on portfolios and resumes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2026: 6 students

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Deadline

Recommended University Application Deadline for BFA Design/Technology Applicants (Priority Application Deadline)Dec 15, 2026

High School Counselor Information · otterbein.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The university application must be submitted before the prescreen.

Apply

Acceptd

Deadline

Portfolio and interview materials submission (11:59 p.m. EST)Jan 31, 2027

Auditions

In-Person Interview Day (Campus Visit)

Jan 22 & 29, 2027Feb 5, 12, 19 & 26, 2027

Virtual InterviewFeb 15 & 22, 2027

Application portal · Acceptd

Prescreen Requirements

Resume

Include production positions, special skills/proficiencies, GPA/test scores if available, artistic/leadership experience, and optional online portfolio link

Letters of Recommendation

Submit two letters of recommendation from teachers or theatre professionals familiar with your work

Enter recommender email addresses in Acceptd; teachers receive upload links after submission

Video

Introduction up to 2.5 minutes

Introduce yourself and your main areas of interest: scenic, costume, lighting, sound, stage management, or other

Describe your experience and skills, why you want design/technology, and why Otterbein fits your goals

Ensure reviewers can clearly see and hear you

Headshot

Or similar recent photo

Portfolio

Submit a portfolio with 3-4 examples of strongest recent theatre work

Combine each show/project into one PDF when possible

Label photos/documents with show title, theatre/venue, director, and your role

Stage managers may include up to 5 prompt/calling-script pages plus reports or paperwork samples

Sound/projection applicants may include audio/video clips, technical plans, research, or raw files

Theatre Dance · otterbein.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit the university application first, then create an Acceptd profile when the theatre cycle is open

Upload resume, photo, and portfolio samples through Acceptd

The portal is open for the 2026-2027 cycle with a final portfolio/interview materials submission deadline of January 31, 2027; the department's Theatre & Dance apply page still shows the prior cycle

Otterbein recommends submitting the Acceptd profile at least 30 days before the desired portfolio review date

University admission and BFA Design & Technology decisions are made on a rolling basis

The university's General Application Deadline (March 1) falls after this program's January 31 portfolio/interview deadline — apply for university admission well ahead of that general deadline (the December 15 Priority Application Deadline is a safer target) so your Acceptd profile can be created and reviewed in time

Eligibility

Department accepts transfer students in BFA Theatre Design & Technology

Contact Office of Adult, Transfer & Graduate Admission at 614-823-1500

What's The Process

Audition Process

BFA Theatre Design & Technology uses a portfolio interview rather than a performance audition

Portfolio reviews are required for all BFA Design & Technology applicants

On-campus interview days and virtual interview options are published for the 2026-2027 cycle (exact dates below)

The department's Theatre & Dance apply page still shows the prior cycle's interview dates; the Acceptd portal is the current source for the 2026-2027 cycle

Audition Expectations

In-person interview visits include a faculty conversation, program overview, Q&A, and portfolio review

Bring resume copies and portfolio examples such as drafting, drawings, photographs, or small project samples

Scheduling a campus visit with the interview may allow students to sit in on classes

Contact

Theatre@otterbein.edu

Scholarship Info

Theatre Talent Awards for BFA Design Tech and BA Theatre are $3,000-$8,000

Awarded to admitted students through portfolio review or interview

Awards stack on the base merit award

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.63

Admit rate

85%

school-wide

Grad rate

68%

Enrollment

2.2K

Earnings

$53K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$38,040

Before aid

Average net price

$19,237

After aid

Affordability · otterbein.edu College Scorecard

Training

Immersive, hands-on program covering all areas of technical theatre — scenic/properties, lighting, sound, costumes, and stage management

From the very first semester, students work in valuable positions on mainstage productions

Students progress from entry-level crew to highest-level positions including mainstage design roles

Productions staged in a 1,200-seat proscenium theatre and a smaller thrust space

Notable Alumni

T.J. Gerckens — Drama Desk Award-winning lighting designer; credits include Broadway's Metamorphoses, Metropolitan Opera, La Scala Milan (now Otterbein faculty)

David Robinson — costume designer who assisted on Broadway's Phantom of the Opera; Emmy-nominated for Escape at Dannemora

Professional Development

Potential ten-week internship at a New York or professional regional theatre

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)

Alumni working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at Walt Disney World, and regional theatres nationwide

Degree Flexibility

Most students elect to focus upper-level study in one or two concentration areas

Annual evaluations and workshops on portfolios and resumes

Verified Recent Class Sizes

Class of 2026: 6 students

Updated Sep 3, 7:50 PM