In Short
The technical theater concentration is designed to develop a general base of technical, analytical, managerial, and creative elements of theatrical production.
Set Designs through the Years
American Underground
Extremities
Dead Mad
Much Ado About Nothing
The Peculiar Distraction
Program Overview
Students are trained to become resourceful, imaginative, and technically competent people who integrate engineering and artistic techniques with theatrical settings. Students take courses in computer-aided design, stage lighting, scene design, stage management, and production planning.
See the slideshow below to get a sense of our hands-on classes.
I’m a really big hands-on learner and with Technical Theater there are so many different things to work on and do like building sets for the shows or making/finding costume pieces or props.
Viv Warren ‘26
Experiential Opportunities and a Look Inside the Courses
Productions and Classes
Our students get hands-on experiences in Production Implications, Theatrical Make-Up, Stage Lighting, and several other courses. The course Production Implications is directly involved with constructing sets for our full-scale theatrical productions on campus.
Read more about: Productions and Classes
The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
Every year during the last week of January, Fitchburg State's theater students travel to the regional KCACTF Festival and compete in a variety of acting, directing, stage management, design/technical and theater criticism events and attend a variety of professional workshops that support their professional development. Fitchburg State has had full productions invited to the festival. In 2025 students excelled in the Irene Ryan Acting competition and our production of “American Underground” received several merit awards. Our technical students received merit awards for Sound Design (Kenzie Harris), Costume Design (Alyssa Brayley), and Stage Management (Viv Warren).
Read more about: The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
Communications Media Internships
Internships
Internships are a great opportunity to get valuable, real-world experiences before entering a competitive job market.
Read more about: Internships
Curriculum and Other Information
- BS, Technical Theater Concentration, Communications Media - Program information from the University Catalog.
- Four-Year Plan of Study - Required and elective courses for program completion.
B.S. in Communications Media
- Students should demonstrate proficiency in the core tools and skills of their discipline.
- Students should be able to apply aesthetic principles to their work by developing and defending a portfolio that demonstrates craftship and meets professional standards for their discipline.
- Students should be able to explain how their work fits in the historical and theoretical context of their discipline.
- Students should apply core theoretical principles to the analysis and critique of media.
- Students should recognize and apply ethical perspectives to their work.
- Lighting Director
- Scene Designer
- Set and Exhibit Designer/Technician
- Stage Manager
- Stage Production Manager