Hello, My daughter is a junior in HS and is interested in becoming a lighting designer - she’d like to concentrate in music lighting design as she is also a musician. I came across this list of schools: http://www.onstageblog.com/columns/2016/8/27/the-top-10-bfa-theatre-design-tech-programs-in-the-country-for-2016-17
This list has been very helpful. I am wondering if there are other programs that are good and not on this list? I am also wondering if our state schools have a lighting design program worth going to- ASU or UoA?
University of Arizona has a BFA Design/Tech degree and ASU has a BA Design and Production degree. Look at the college websites for information on both curriculums. They are both good schools for Theatre so stands to reason they might be decent for tech as well.
Almost every school with a BFA in Acting/MT will offer a BFA in Lighting or in Design/Tech with a concentration in Lighting (though at a few schools it will be a BA). There are a number of good programs, so it’s also good to think about location, campus size, program size, etc., and to visit a few schools to get a feel for what your child wants. And as @stagedoormama says, look at the school websites and compare the curriculums and see what seems most appealing. For most of the serious tech programs there will be a portfolio review that will be a major part of admissions.
Here is a thread that lists all the MT programs; you could check out the various schools’ websites and get the particulars for each tech program. Good luck!
Schooltheatre.org is the website for the Educational Theater Association, the group that publishes OnStage. They have a great college search tool where you can search by major, state, degree-type, etc. We have found it very helpful for building my D’s costume design search list.