Graduate Programs
Lighting Design

The School of Drama Graduate Lighting Design Option is an integrated, hands-on, three-year program that teaches practical, theoretical and conceptual approaches for lighting design and technology.

Students become visual communicators using light as their primary medium. The design process involves analysis, research and exploration of light as a visual design element.

Students are mentored in class and production work ranging across drama, musical theater, new plays, devised work, opera, dance, television, concert, architectural lighting and media design. All School of Drama productions are designed and technically supported by students.

Course and production work focuses on the artistry of design as well as exposing students to the latest technological tools, software and industry trends.

State of the art lighting inventory available to students includes:
  • ETC Conventional and LED fixtures
  • Vectorworks and Autocad
  • Vari-lite, Clay Paky and Martin automated lights
  • Color Kinetics LED fixtures
  • Consoles such as EOS, ION, Virtuoso, GrandMa and Whole Hog IV
  • Curriculum

    The School of Drama Graduate Lighting Design Option provides students with an intensive course of study in professional lighting design.

    Students focus on methods involving analysis, research, exploration, problem solving and the implementation of the design processes into productions. Students are encouraged to develop their unique vision and creative voice, as well as cultivate their ability to lead team collaborations.


    GRADUATE LIGHTING DESIGN STUDENTS BECOME SKILLED IN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INCLUDING:
    Automated lighting fixtures
    LED fixtures
    Computer consoles
    Visualization software programs
    Media design software

    GRADUATE LIGHTING DESIGN STUDENTS EXCEL IN THE FOLLOWING:
    Focus and cueing
    Vectorworks and Autocad drafting
    Designer and master electrician paperwork
    Lighting Design for a range of genres, scale of productions and different types of spaces

    In the third year of the program, students complete a Lighting Design thesis project. This is a realized, large scale production produced in the School of Drama or the School of Music. Additionally, graduate students write a professional thesis paper detailing their production process.

    State of the art lighting inventory


    Course and production work focuses on the artistry of design as well as exposing students to the latest technological tools, software and industry trends.


    • ETC conventional and LED fixtures
    • Vectorworks and Autocad
    • Vari-lite, Clay Paky and Martin automated lights
    • Color Kinetics LED fixtures
    • Consoles such as EOS, ION, Virtuoso, GrandMa and Whole Hog State of the art lighting inventory available to students includes:
    • ETC Conventional and LED fixtures
    • Vectorworks and Autocad
    • Vari-lite, Clay Paky and Martin automated lights
    • Color Kinetics LED fixtures
    • Consoles such as EOS, ION, Virtuoso, GrandMa and Whole Hog IVI

    Opportunities

    Students in the School of Drama’s Graduate Lighting Design Program have many opportunities to experience work as a professional lighting designer and technician through internships with local theaters and production companies.

    Local partners include: Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Ballet, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Quantum Theatre, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre and City Theatre Company.

    In addition, students gain experience in the wider field of lighting design through national internships with professional designers and lighting firms including Lightswitch, Visual Terrain, Nyx Design, Focus Lighting, Full Flood Lighting, Nautilus Entertainment Design and Reveal Design Group. 



    School of Drama alumni and visiting artists share their expertise with students through project work, visiting lectures, workshops and professional development seminars. As students ready themselves for graduation, alumni introduce them to the profession during Showcases in New York and Los Angeles.

    Unique Platforms


    All School of Drama students have to opportunities to participate in the following:


    DANCE/LIGHT
    Dance/Light is a performance opportunity for students across all disciplines to collaborate in the creation of original dance and movement pieces.

    PLAYGROUND
    A Festival of Independent Student Work: Playground is the annual, School of Drama, three-day performance festival showcasing independent, student-produced work across multiple disciplines.

    VISITING ARTISTS PROGRAM
    The Visiting Artists Program brings distinguished national and international guests to campus to work with students across all disciplines.

    SHOWCASE
    The School of Drama Showcase presentations in Pittsburgh, New York and Los Angeles are designed to give graduating students from all disciplines the opportunity to meet with and present work to leading arts and entertainment professionals.

    Graduate Lighting Design students may intern at the Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Ballet, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Quantum Theatre, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre and City Theatre Company as designers and assistants.

    DOWNLOAD

    Graduate Lighting Design Curriculum

    Faculty

    Mary Ellen Stebbins


    Thomas Feather


    Cindy Limauro


    C. Todd Brown


    Robert Thomson


    News & Alumni

    Notable Alumni


    Graduates of the School of Drama’s Graduate Lighting Design Program are sought after for a wide range of professional opportunities that combine their skills both artistically and technically. Many graduates work in New York City, Los Angeles or Chicago, as well as regionally and internationally.


    • Broadway: Jules Fisher, Peggy Eisenhauer
    • Television: Noah Mitz, Kevin Hardy
    • Architecture: Brett Andersen, Michael Cummings, Scott Hay
    • Theatre Consultants: Roger Morgan, Len Auerbach
    • Concert Lighting:Drew Findley, Jeremy Lechterman
    • Cruise Ships: Jim Tetlow
    • Entertainment Design:Mike Mahlum, Norm Schwab, Manny Treeson, Chris Werner
    • Media Design:Loren Barton, Bart Cortright, Robert Figueroa

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