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Stephens College

Columbia, MO

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Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Program profile

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

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BFA Theatre Design & Production

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewPortfolio RequiredUniversity App Required

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Training

Theatre Design & Production training covers scenic design, lighting design, sound, stage management, technical theatre, and production

Nationally recognized technicians, designers, and guest artists contribute to the program

Career planning and one-on-one mentoring address both creative practice and the business of entertainment

Performance & Productions

Students build credits across mainstage, black-box, design, technical, and stage-management assignments

Two immersive seasons at Okoboji Summer Theatre provide professional summer-stock production experience

Notable Alumni

Roger Desmond — Broadway staging supervisor and technical director for Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera; NBC live productions

Karyn Meek — Production stage manager for national Disney tours and Broadway productions

G. Benjamin Swope — NYU Tisch MFA and lighting designer for theatre, dance, and opera

Jacob Sampson — Prop Shop Foreman at The Old Globe in San Diego

Brandon PT Davis — UC Irvine MFA and scenic designer for more than 90 productions

Degree Flexibility

Accelerated BFA completed in three years and two summers across eight semesters

The first four semesters explore technical production and design; the final four allow focus in scenic design, lighting design, stage management, or production

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.27

Admit rate

77%

school-wide

Grad rate

43%

Enrollment

391

Earnings

$43K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$28,300

Before aid

Average net price

$23,459

After aid

College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 17, 5:29 PM

Program Highlights

Training

Theatre Design & Production training covers scenic design, lighting design, sound, stage management, technical theatre, and production

Nationally recognized technicians, designers, and guest artists contribute to the program

Career planning and one-on-one mentoring address both creative practice and the business of entertainment

Performance & Productions

Students build credits across mainstage, black-box, design, technical, and stage-management assignments

Two immersive seasons at Okoboji Summer Theatre provide professional summer-stock production experience

Notable Alumni

Roger Desmond — Broadway staging supervisor and technical director for Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera; NBC live productions

Karyn Meek — Production stage manager for national Disney tours and Broadway productions

G. Benjamin Swope — NYU Tisch MFA and lighting designer for theatre, dance, and opera

Jacob Sampson — Prop Shop Foreman at The Old Globe in San Diego

Brandon PT Davis — UC Irvine MFA and scenic designer for more than 90 productions

Degree Flexibility

Accelerated BFA completed in three years and two summers across eight semesters

The first four semesters explore technical production and design; the final four allow focus in scenic design, lighting design, stage management, or production

Program Highlights

Training

Theatre Design & Production training covers scenic design, lighting design, sound, stage management, technical theatre, and production

Nationally recognized technicians, designers, and guest artists contribute to the program

Career planning and one-on-one mentoring address both creative practice and the business of entertainment

Performance & Productions

Students build credits across mainstage, black-box, design, technical, and stage-management assignments

Two immersive seasons at Okoboji Summer Theatre provide professional summer-stock production experience

Notable Alumni

Roger Desmond — Broadway staging supervisor and technical director for Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera; NBC live productions

Karyn Meek — Production stage manager for national Disney tours and Broadway productions

G. Benjamin Swope — NYU Tisch MFA and lighting designer for theatre, dance, and opera

Jacob Sampson — Prop Shop Foreman at The Old Globe in San Diego

Brandon PT Davis — UC Irvine MFA and scenic designer for more than 90 productions

Degree Flexibility

Accelerated BFA completed in three years and two summers across eight semesters

The first four semesters explore technical production and design; the final four allow focus in scenic design, lighting design, stage management, or production

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App

Deadline

Priority application date — optimum scholarship consideration; rolling admission continuesFeb 1, 2027

Rolling admission — applications accepted after the priority date

How To Apply · stephens.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

Acceptd

Fee

$35

Opens

Aug 15, 2026

Deadline

Acceptd submission deadlineApr 1, 2027

Application portal · Acceptd

Portfolio Requirements

Wildcard / Special SkillOptional

Wild Card (Optional)

Prompt

Tell us a little bit about what inspires you to be a Theatre Design & Production professional and why

Timing

Duration: minimum of 30 seconds, maximum of 3 minutes

Recording

Speak directly to the camera

Does not require professional equipment; cellphone cameras or consumer cameras are fine

Content

May share a special skill, story, instrument, or anything else you want Stephens to know

Additional Materials

Resume

Required: upload a current resume

Portfolio

Required: submit as a PDF, PowerPoint, or website link

Reflect your primary areas of interest and strength in scenic design, lighting, sound, stage management, technical theatre, or design/production

Suggested examples include drawings, paintings, sculpture, photography, drafting, playbills, models, sketches, costume designs, light plots, prompt books, production photos, sound-design paperwork, original scores, craft samples, video work, installations, architectural drawing, textile work, or performance art

Statement of Purpose

Required: upload a statement of purpose

Application portal · Acceptd

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Submit portfolio materials through Acceptd

Complete the free Stephens College undergraduate application

Eligibility

The Conservatory welcomes artists of all gender identities

Admission Pathway

Applications without a portfolio are automatically considered for BFA Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies

Important Notes

Submit the FAFSA using Stephens College code 002512

Feb. 1 is the FAFSA priority date specifically for work-study and Access Missouri Grant consideration

Undergraduate admission remains rolling after Feb. 1

Transfer Pathway

Transfer applicants to BFA Theatre Design & Production submit the same Conservatory portfolio package. Stephens publishes a general transfer-credit pathway for college courses completed with a C or better and a TES equivalency portal; credits receive final review, so this does not promise advanced standing in the accelerated design and production sequence.

Applying As A Transfer Student · stephens.edu

What's The Process

Portfolio Review

Portfolio review is required for the BFA Theatre Design & Production program

Stephens may also request a virtual interview

Applications received without an accompanying portfolio are automatically considered for the Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies BFA

Contact

Performingarts@stephens.edu for audition or portfolio requirements

Acceptd Help Desk for technical questions

Scholarship Info

All applicants are automatically considered for talent award scholarships

The Promise Program provides up to four years of tuition funding for eligible full-time students whose adjusted family income does not exceed $75,000 annually

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA

3.27

Admit rate

77%

school-wide

Grad rate

43%

Enrollment

391

Earnings

$43K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$28,300

Before aid

Average net price

$23,459

After aid

College Scorecard

Training

Theatre Design & Production training covers scenic design, lighting design, sound, stage management, technical theatre, and production

Nationally recognized technicians, designers, and guest artists contribute to the program

Career planning and one-on-one mentoring address both creative practice and the business of entertainment

Performance & Productions

Students build credits across mainstage, black-box, design, technical, and stage-management assignments

Two immersive seasons at Okoboji Summer Theatre provide professional summer-stock production experience

Notable Alumni

Roger Desmond — Broadway staging supervisor and technical director for Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera; NBC live productions

Karyn Meek — Production stage manager for national Disney tours and Broadway productions

G. Benjamin Swope — NYU Tisch MFA and lighting designer for theatre, dance, and opera

Jacob Sampson — Prop Shop Foreman at The Old Globe in San Diego

Brandon PT Davis — UC Irvine MFA and scenic designer for more than 90 productions

Degree Flexibility

Accelerated BFA completed in three years and two summers across eight semesters

The first four semesters explore technical production and design; the final four allow focus in scenic design, lighting design, stage management, or production

Updated Aug 17, 5:29 PM