What is Theater Design and Production - Lighting Design Te? The drama, and the actors themselves, are unexpressive unless we can see them on stage. Great lighting design goes beyond the need for basic visibility into the realm of shadows, angles and colors as well as the subtleties of timing and rhythm. Lighting designers (artists) work closely with stage direc­tors to bring out the intent of the production through mood, atmosphere, composition, textures and focus. Technicians must support the designers visionary work with the sensitivity of an artist so that onstage dramatic effects and timing are seamless and 100% repeatable. At UC’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), a hands-on ex­periential philosophy guides the development of all our degree programs. Theoretical knowledge forms a solid base, but is only the beginning of the education process. A well-rounded student experience must include real production opportunities for the masters student. Working with students in the number one Musical Theatre program in the country and students in the number two Opera program in the country bring excitement and wonder to every creative project at CCM. Students in the three-year graduate program take studio and production courses in all areas, beginning with lighting design research in the students first year and culminating in main stage designs in year two and three. In addition to a most heavy design course layout, a year of lighting robotics training is required, which prepares the student to manipulate the industry’s most elaborate consoles and equipment in a controlled class-room laboratory. Additionally, students study theater history, script analysis, dramatic literature, art history, as well as other electives relating to their artistic goals. The balance among theater-related, academic and advisor-elective courses is established by NAST (National Association of Schools of Theater), which has accred­ited our program. The graduate program is also a member of (URTA), University Resident Theatre Association, and follows their guidelines for excellence in training.

Career Possibilities Graduate lighting design students of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) have recently been, or are now currently, employed with the Washington Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Ballet, Denver Theatre Center, Cirque du Soleil, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Chicago Lyric Opera, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, American Players Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Berkeley Repertory, Santa Fe Opera, Harvard Loeb Drama Center, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Mill Mountain Playhouse, the Shakespeare Theatre, Cincinnati Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, New American Theatre, English National Opera, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Ballet, Disney, Broadway, national tours, as well as with commercial and independent film companies. Many graduates of Professor Gage’s studio now hold professor positions in Universities through the US, including universities in Great Britain and Singapore.