Suggested Schools for Theater / Performance Management

My DD1 seems to be interested in theater-related career options but doesn’t perform. (She panics at the thought.)

She assisted the director with a school play last semester, worked with wardrobe and makeup, and was very happy to be involved. Is anyone aware of any programs/degrees that would lead her to a career near but off the stage? She is a HS junior with good grades. I would even direct her to the business side of performance halls.

My S17 is a BFA theater tech and production student. The thought of performing does not interest him at all, but he loves being around the theater and engaging in problem solving. T

There are many programs which cover the backstage aspects of theater - lighting, set design, stage management, costume design, wardrobe. At my son’s school, stage management is part of the BA, not the BFA. In most of these programs, there are some mandatory acting classes. S17 took acting for non acting and got an A-, pretty good for a kid who doesn’t even want to run props because that puts you on stage.

Your D should think about whether she wants a BA or a BFA and what aspects she is particularly interested in. In my son’s program, all BFA tech students take the same schedule for 2 or 3 semesters and then start to specialize. Last semester, he took drafting and worked in the set shop. This semester, he will be taking rendering and working in the costume shop. He will also be taking basic lighting, which is what he is most interested in pursuing.

Hello! There are not as many tech people/posts on this board as actors, but there are a few of us lonely techies out here. You can find a lot of info searching some key words:

Theatre Tech
Technical Theatre
Design and Production (aka DP or D&P)
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Set Design
Scenic Design
Stage Management

That should pull up a lot of posts for you and give you some places to start looking. My D is currently doing portfolio interviews for Costume Design & Technology. Very often, the schools mentioned on this board for acting and musical theatre have tech design majors that support the productions.
Let us know if you need more direction!!