You’re not one to just sit in the audience; you’re fascinated by props, music, costumes, and lighting. The backstage is calling—answer it with a Technical Theatre minor (FATT). Learn the basics of stagecraft, from theatre design and costuming to stage lighting and electrics, then put your studies into practice by crewing and designing for live stage productions. Michigan Tech offers a mix of theory and hands-on practice you won’t find anywhere else.
- Apart from technical studies in design and stagecraft, you’ll have the opportunity to take courses in career development and professional presentation—both of which will directly prepare you for a career after graduation.
- Develop your skills through real, live performances at our Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts and traditional black box McArdle Theatre.
- The Technical Theatre minor is for more than Visual and Performing arts majors; it’s a practical and innovative complement to engineering, computer science, and other technological degree programs.
Full STEAM Ahead
Combine your love of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM) into a career that requires creative, artistic, and technical skills. In the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, we emphasize creativity, self-motivation, and concrete goals—attributes that, combined with academic performance, add up to success. Develop critical skills to continue as a lifelong learner who adapts to ever-evolving entertainment industry technology. Our programs and faculty engage students and enrich campus by involving scholars from diverse fields in ambitious and meaningful projects, exhibitions, and performances.
- Access state-of-the-art facilities: Michigan Tech's Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts—the region's premier performing arts center—and the Walker Arts and Humanities Center are home to a traditional performance hall, flexible black box space, costume and scene shops, and a packed schedule of multimedia events. Work side-by-side with faculty on Michigan Tech productions and complete high-tech training in all aspects of the profession in well-equipped shops, labs, and performance venues—many with 24/7 access.
- Get personalized attention: With a student-faculty ratio of 8:1, you can build valuable relationships with world-class professors. Our students can access personal quality educational time with faculty and staff, and more exploratory time in the studio (with industry-specific equipment and tools).
- Build a career: Work one-on-one with your advisor to develop your career path—from student internships to post-graduation employment in the industry. Build your professional network and strengthen your presentation and interview skills at industry conferences and events. Build your portfolio as you prepare for a thrilling career in the arts and entertainment industry.
- Get involved: Join the 250 member strong Huskies Pep Band or one of 12 other ensembles. Be part of any of our 30+ music performances, 6+ art exhibitions or events, and 5 theatre shows. Or join any number of professional organizations on campus—WMTU; Audio Engineering Society; Mu Beta Psi (national music fraternity, non-music majors welcome); Sound Girls; Above The Bridge Records ; Sound and Lighting Service; and more.
Tomorrow Needs You
Supercharge your analytical skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow's high-tech business landscape.