<p>I live in the New York/ New Jersey Tri-State Area. I want to become a stagehand on broadway but am confused about what exactly i would be doing in a "Technical Theatre" Major. Also what colleges are good for that major?</p>
<p>Two of my S’s close friends have just started technical theatre programs. One applied EA to Emerson and never looked back. The other applied to Hofstra where he ended up and I recall him talking about his interest in programs at Purchase and New Paltz. Fordham LC where my S ended up for performance/playwriting also has a good but very small program…there are 2 Design/Production majors in the Class of 2014. </p>
<p>I recommend you search this forum for Technical Theatre threads and start with this one <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/623794-technical-theater.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/theater-drama-majors/623794-technical-theater.html</a></p>
<p>I have to say that I really haven’t read it too carefully since my S was not/is not pursuing tech but if it’s like any of the typical CC threads there is a lot of info there and you can create a good list of schools to look into. Search their websites thoroughly for specific info about the training and curriculum and visit the schools that you are most interested in. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>“I want to be a stage hand on Broadway.”</p>
<p>Do you mean that you want to work backstage/ off stage… Running follow spot, light board, fly system, etc… Or that you want to be a designer or technical director for Broadway shows… Or that you want to build Broadway shows?</p>
<p>In the case of being a stage hand or a builder, the majority of those jobs are held by members of IATSE local 1 members. While many may have college degrees, it is not a requirement. IATSE is a union. In order to join you basically go through an apprenticeship period, and need to be recommended to the local, I believe. Local 1 is reputed to be the most difficult of the IATSE locals to get into.</p>
<p>Most of the designers and technical directors on Broadway will either have an MFA and/or have worked their way up by working as an assistant to Broadway designers. </p>
<p>There are also unions for professional designers.</p>
<p>Most Broadway shows are built in commercial scene shops by IATSE members, transported to the theatre by Teamsters, and installed by IATSE members. It is not like HS, college, community, or many regional theatres that maintain their own shops.</p>
<p>PS. Depending on the type of college experience you re looking for, many colleges have strong technical theatre programs.</p>
<p>Are you looking for a school close to home? What size? What areas of technical theatre interest you most? How are your grads and test scores?</p>
<p>I know all about local 1 and iatse my dad and brother are both members. have a 3.6 gpa i’m really just looking for set construction and props. I don’t want to go too far just because i’m right next to the city any way and i’m only going to get closer. Size of school doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>Are you looking for more of a BFA program or a BA program (where generally speaking you will take more liberal arts classes)?</p>
<p>I am not sure which schools offer a degree in technical theatre (more focused on construction and technical direction than design) in the tri-state area. </p>
<p>You will probably find most BA programs do not have a specific Technical Theatre major… although some do, and even those that do not may allow you to focus your major course work in the technical/ production area.</p>
<p>Schools in and around NYC that are known for their strong undergraduate theatre programs include (I am sure I will forget a few, and I am making suggestions WELL BEYOND the tri-state area… but staying mid-Atlantic on up… except UNC Arts):</p>
<p>Fordham
Pace
NYU
UCONN
Hofstra
Adelphi
Rutgers
Marymount Manhattan</p>
<p>I also think Barnard (if female) and Columbia (not sure of your stats) are worth a look… great NYC resources. I know a number of the faculty at Barnard in the technical theatre area (collaborative with the Columbia undergrad program) and they are very strong.</p>
<p>Sarah Lawrence is an interesting program… I believe it is very self designed, with lots of student produced work.</p>
<p>A little further out…
Temple (Philly)
University of the Arts (Philly)</p>
<p>Still further…
Muhlenberg (Allentown)
Penn State (State College)</p>
<p>no longer in the tri-state area, but east coast-ish corridor
Towson (MD)
UMD – College Park (MD)
UMD – Baltimore County (MD)
JMU (VA)
VCU (VA)
Longwood (VA)
UNC School for the ARTS (NC)
CMU (Pittsburgh)
Boston University (MA)
Syracuse (NY)</p>
<p>Is your 3.6 weighted or unweighted? How rigorous is your HS course load? What are your test scores?</p>
<p>i got a 1760 first time on SAT (i predict i will end up in the 1800’s my second time)
25 on ACT
3.6 unweighted
my high school is moderately rigorous</p>