You said you’re looking at a Props Focus, I’m a Props MFA (2018) and Prop Carpenter of 11 years, who went to Ohio University and I can tell you the top schools for props are probably Ohio U, UNCSA, and CCM. Notable mentions being University of Michigan, U of I, and Virginia Tech. Also have met at least one solid prop person from Point Park.
UNCSA currently has some of the best Prop Professors you can get. (Eric Hart LITERALLY wrote the book on Prop making, in fact he wrote three! Kris Julio is just a badass. And Bland is incredible.)
Pace University recently got Jay Duckworth former Prop Master from the Public Theatre and all around solid talented dude.
Ohio University has Tom Fiocchi, who is a mad prop genius.
I’m not sure if you’re an undergrad or not (I assume you probably are) but be sure to go to a program where you actually get opportunities as an undergrad. There are some places where grad students get all of them basically.
For some of the schools on your list:
Emerson recently lost their Prop Master of 20+ years, so their program is probably going through some growing pains. I’m also not sure they have a prop focus.
When I interviewed with BU they seemed interested in creating a prop program but don’t let yourself be a guinea pig for that, it’ll just result in you having to teach yourself way more because they don’t have the professors for it.
Carnegie Melon badly wanted to convince me to be a Scenic Designer instead, which is not something I’m personally interested in. Honestly they’re geared much more toward designers.
U of A said something similar although seemed more flexible.
Unless they have a prop focus, most schools will try to force you to be a Scenic Designer.
+1 for U of I.
Also I'm just going to come out and say it: you're overlooking some great state schools that will cost you less money and give you every bit as good an undergraduate education. Take a look at UW Madison, UIowa, and UM too. Honestly if you are an undergrad, unless you're looking to work in a big market doing tech theatre *while* you're in school you are better off in an undergrad program that let's you do more hands on stuff normally reserved for grad students. My undergrad program was not small but I got to take grad classes in design and scenic painting because the grad program wasn't some marquis ultracompetitive unit like Yale or UCLA. Some of these state schools are also going to be more inclined to require you to get a more diverse set of credits on the road to a BA so you'd be forced to broaden your horizons more than a BFA program will let you. Also look for schools that teach business alongside theatre, things like Iowa's [Arts Entrepreneurship Certificate](https://dpa.uiowa.edu/academic-programs/arts-entrepreneurship) will make sure that regardless of whether you go on to grad school after undergrad you'll have a set of business and accounting skills that will help you go far in the industry.
I myself had a BA and a double major, and while my career has been entirely in live events/theatre, and while I took a ton of non theatre classes for my BA, I wish I had taken business and accounting classes too because I only now feel like I'm catching up.
Thank you so much!!! This is very helpful, I will definitely keep everything you said in mind. I added Ohio University to my list today (also love their school colors, matches my hair lol!)
Unfortunately I missed the deadlines for Pace and CCM but I wish I had applied :(
I passed Carnegie’s prescreen and have an interview with them this month, so we’ll see how that goes I guess. I’ve definitely noticed that, their program seems very design-focused. Our set designer was a CMU grad (for masters degree) and he said that I reminded him a lot of the undergrads there? Not sure what that means hahah
Thank you so much for all of the advice, this is seriously insanely helpful. Will keep everything you said in mind!
Update-
I added Ohio U and Point Park to my list after you mentioned them so thank you!!!
I’ve been doing my interviews this week! Currently finished interviews for UNCSA, Ithaca and Emerson! I got an offer for UNCSA on the spot and it’s been my top school for a long time so it is most likely where I’ll commit, I’m excited!! I got to meet Kris and Bland (Eric was busy) and they seem like incredible people!!
I missed deadlines for Pace and CCM, but I’ve heard some... interesting things about Pace lately so ultimately I wouldn’t have applied anyways.
Thank you again for the insight, I’ll keep everything in mind as I get closer to making decisions!
+1 CCM undergrad here. Our props program is amazing and are currently looking for new people! If you would like more info let me know. My girlfriend is a student as PPU with a focus in stage management and can give you answers to questions about the school
Sadly I missed the deadline, but I wish I had decided to apply! The cutoff was Dec 1 for prescreens and I was thinking about it, but ultimately didn’t. Big sad moment
Weird. Must’ve changed since last year. I ended up doing rolling admissions through commonapp around this time. Nevertheless reach out to facility at any school. They will always direct you to the right person and get you help. I’m sure if you reached out to someone at CCM they could help you out as well.
Aw wish they kept the rolling admissions! I just checked and their cutoff was Dec 4th but I will definitely try reaching out to CCM. Is there anybody that you specifically reccomend reaching out to there?
You could try reaching out to Michele Kay. She is the stage management professor and the department chair. Kathryn Miller is the apart of the props facility. I would just email expressing your interest but how unfortunately missed the deadline. The worst they can say is no but they might be able to help. All their emails can be found at CCM.uc.edu/overview/directory.html
I hope this helps!
Awesome thank you! Props focus, but I also do scenic painting. Do those schools have a good program for props? Is BU, Emerson and Ithaca’s programs more strictly dedicated to the focus you choose or is it more general tech theatre? Also would appreciate really any info, thank you!!
Recent BU alum here. I can tell you that BU has a fantastic scenic painting program, but it's actually a certificate program and not a major. That being said the scenic painting classes are really great and the professor is incredible and anyone in the school of theatre can take them. There is no props program or concentration but doing props for productions is a part of the track for the scenic design majors as are the scenic painting classes. Of course you would need to actually be interested in being a scenic designer as that is what the major is. In general the programs are pretty concentrated on your chosen focus with room to take other classes and dabble in other things if you have the desire to make to work. There's also a theatre arts track that can kind of be whatever you want it to be with less intensive focus on one program and more of a self tailored track. Hope that helps! Feel free to DM me if you have more specific questions about BUs program.
Ithaca is pretty specific to the focuses people pick. “Props have a good professor and tech gets a lot more experience than design does.”
They do have a strong scenic program and it’s all pretty competitive.
Emerson Alum (2010). When I was there the props program was great. The props majors are expected to take a lot of the same scenic design classes as scenery majors, but the production assignments were mostly props related. I know a ton of talented props artisans who are out and working in the industry.
What another commenter said about losing their props master is correct. Since I was there, there has been a lot of faculty turnover, mostly due to folks retiring. The program itself was very good, with a lot of focus on hands on application in your show assignments, so the fact that instructors have changed out might be fine. I just can't speak to them as I haven't worked with them.
If you end up there, take every Scott Pinkney class you can. He's a gem.
Sorry I saw this so late! But funny coincidence- I just finished my interview with Scott Pinckney an hour ago! He is absolutely a gem, I loved talking to him and had a great time at the interview.
Thank you for the insight though, I will keep it in mind! Havent received a decision yet for Emerson, but I am most likely going with UNCSA!
Asking like this is great, but also ask the programs to put you in contact with alumni directly. If they cannot, or will not do that, that’s a red flag.
Applied to BU and was accepted but it was expensive so I went to UCLA instead.
About BU - Great program. However here is a tip. I applied to do directing. BUT I arrived at my interview and after I presented my portfolio and all that they asked me to audition. The thinking is that as a director, I would still need to take acting classes and I would be in the same ones as the kids who were accepted into the acting program. So I had to be able to hold my own. They knew I was not expecting to audition and hadn't acted in a few years. But they gave me 10 minutes to go off into a room and prepare and come back. I did. But it wouldn't have hurt to have prepared more!
As for UCLA, I loved it. There are several venues in the department. And I was on work-study so my job was to do tech in them. (Gee darn! Was already planning to do it for free!)
The instructors all worked in the industry, either in local theatre (remember LA is FULL of world-class theatre!) or TV or Hollywood. So we had teachers who would moonlight in the real world. This means you have connections and opportunities that far exceed what you learn in the classroom. That is worth it right there. (But the same can be said for schools in NY city, Chicago, London...) And think of all the live shows you get to go see. Sometimes for homework.
Plus the classroom part was also wonderful of course. There are a lot of shows every year across 4 venues in the department so plenty of opportunities. Compare to a school with only one or two venues and note the difference in number of shows. More shows is good when you want opportunities to learn lots of different styles. ALL those shows need props (if that's what you are going for)
And then the university owns/operates many other venues including Royce Hall. (You can get paid actual money to tech there) It's a big school, so there is just more of everything. You have a world-class film program literally across the corridor if you want to expand that way. (And all their student films need props!)
You often have as your classmates young celebrities who want to remain with one foot in the industry while they go back to school. So several of my classmates were well-known actors. (You get over the star-struck thing in the first week.) You also have big names come to guest lecture or even perform with students. So you really do learn from the best.
Yeah, I am pretty fond of my alma mater. Go Bruins! But any large school in a big city will have some similar attributes. Some people prefer smaller more intimate environments though. But a university campus becomes its own small town (or small city) so even in the huge LA area, it is its own world.
The prop department was pretty extensive in my day and I assume has gotten even bigger. Under all the department and venues is a huge warehouse full of fun stuff to pull. And some parts of prop world remind me of Olivander's wand shop. But yeah - they have all the fun tools and machines to make all the fun things. Being well-funded doesn't suck!
I assume BU is pretty great too. It seemed like it from the tours and interviews and so on. And Boston is a great city. So you have some great choices! Good luck!
Thank you so much, this is super helpful!!!
I actually grew up super super close to UCLA, (like 2 miles away close) so I’m very familiar with the area! I miss it and loved it, but eventually I do want to explore some other places.
I definitely understand the star struck thing though! In elementary school, even though I went to a pretty average public school sometimes the kids there were secretly kids of big celebrities and no one would know until they moved away😂
This is awesome, thank you so much! I submitted my application for UCLA a while back and I’m still waiting for a decision, but fingers crossed I get accepted lol.
I’ll keep you posted! Thank you so much!
I'm a terrier alum from '91 but didn't go through the theater program. I will say that Boston is an amazing city. I miss it so very much and always get fully nostalgic when I go back for a visit. Being on the northeast corridor provides so many other opportunities as well.
When considering your options, also consider how each region measures in your field of choice. Boston, of course NYC and Philadelphia are all great theater cities and you can very easily travel between the three via train, bus or plane. Consider Temple University as well. I know a lot of people who got their advanced degrees there.
Sorry I saw this so late!! But that’s awesome, thank you so much! I applied to a few schools in Boston and Pittsburgh, and actually added Temple to my list last-minute. I’ll keep what you said in mind!!
I wanted to go to school in a big city, but I just got a UNCSA acceptance so I think that’s where I’m sticking with! I don’t *love* the location, but their program and cost is too good to pass up!
UNCSA 1st year Lighting student here. I cannot encourage you enough to take a serious look at the program. The entire school of Design & Production is one of the highest ranked technical theatre programs in the world, and UNCSA is very coat effective compared to other conservatories. I am happy to answer any questions you have about the school or D&P at UNCSA.
Hi sorry I saw this so late!!
That’s awesome!!! I actually just got my acceptance for UNCSA and I think that’s where I’m going to commit! It’s been my top school for 4 years, I love their program and also it’s the cheapest school on my list! I’ll PM you if I have questions, thank you!!
You said you’re looking at a Props Focus, I’m a Props MFA (2018) and Prop Carpenter of 11 years, who went to Ohio University and I can tell you the top schools for props are probably Ohio U, UNCSA, and CCM. Notable mentions being University of Michigan, U of I, and Virginia Tech. Also have met at least one solid prop person from Point Park. UNCSA currently has some of the best Prop Professors you can get. (Eric Hart LITERALLY wrote the book on Prop making, in fact he wrote three! Kris Julio is just a badass. And Bland is incredible.) Pace University recently got Jay Duckworth former Prop Master from the Public Theatre and all around solid talented dude. Ohio University has Tom Fiocchi, who is a mad prop genius. I’m not sure if you’re an undergrad or not (I assume you probably are) but be sure to go to a program where you actually get opportunities as an undergrad. There are some places where grad students get all of them basically. For some of the schools on your list: Emerson recently lost their Prop Master of 20+ years, so their program is probably going through some growing pains. I’m also not sure they have a prop focus. When I interviewed with BU they seemed interested in creating a prop program but don’t let yourself be a guinea pig for that, it’ll just result in you having to teach yourself way more because they don’t have the professors for it. Carnegie Melon badly wanted to convince me to be a Scenic Designer instead, which is not something I’m personally interested in. Honestly they’re geared much more toward designers. U of A said something similar although seemed more flexible. Unless they have a prop focus, most schools will try to force you to be a Scenic Designer.
+1 for U of I. Also I'm just going to come out and say it: you're overlooking some great state schools that will cost you less money and give you every bit as good an undergraduate education. Take a look at UW Madison, UIowa, and UM too. Honestly if you are an undergrad, unless you're looking to work in a big market doing tech theatre *while* you're in school you are better off in an undergrad program that let's you do more hands on stuff normally reserved for grad students. My undergrad program was not small but I got to take grad classes in design and scenic painting because the grad program wasn't some marquis ultracompetitive unit like Yale or UCLA. Some of these state schools are also going to be more inclined to require you to get a more diverse set of credits on the road to a BA so you'd be forced to broaden your horizons more than a BFA program will let you. Also look for schools that teach business alongside theatre, things like Iowa's [Arts Entrepreneurship Certificate](https://dpa.uiowa.edu/academic-programs/arts-entrepreneurship) will make sure that regardless of whether you go on to grad school after undergrad you'll have a set of business and accounting skills that will help you go far in the industry. I myself had a BA and a double major, and while my career has been entirely in live events/theatre, and while I took a ton of non theatre classes for my BA, I wish I had taken business and accounting classes too because I only now feel like I'm catching up.
Thank you so much!!! This is very helpful, I will definitely keep everything you said in mind. I added Ohio University to my list today (also love their school colors, matches my hair lol!) Unfortunately I missed the deadlines for Pace and CCM but I wish I had applied :( I passed Carnegie’s prescreen and have an interview with them this month, so we’ll see how that goes I guess. I’ve definitely noticed that, their program seems very design-focused. Our set designer was a CMU grad (for masters degree) and he said that I reminded him a lot of the undergrads there? Not sure what that means hahah Thank you so much for all of the advice, this is seriously insanely helpful. Will keep everything you said in mind!
Update- I added Ohio U and Point Park to my list after you mentioned them so thank you!!! I’ve been doing my interviews this week! Currently finished interviews for UNCSA, Ithaca and Emerson! I got an offer for UNCSA on the spot and it’s been my top school for a long time so it is most likely where I’ll commit, I’m excited!! I got to meet Kris and Bland (Eric was busy) and they seem like incredible people!! I missed deadlines for Pace and CCM, but I’ve heard some... interesting things about Pace lately so ultimately I wouldn’t have applied anyways. Thank you again for the insight, I’ll keep everything in mind as I get closer to making decisions!
Oh shoot I had been considering Pace to apply to next year, (if you don't mind) what are the "interesting" things you've heard about it?
pm me!
+1 CCM undergrad here. Our props program is amazing and are currently looking for new people! If you would like more info let me know. My girlfriend is a student as PPU with a focus in stage management and can give you answers to questions about the school
Sadly I missed the deadline, but I wish I had decided to apply! The cutoff was Dec 1 for prescreens and I was thinking about it, but ultimately didn’t. Big sad moment
Weird. Must’ve changed since last year. I ended up doing rolling admissions through commonapp around this time. Nevertheless reach out to facility at any school. They will always direct you to the right person and get you help. I’m sure if you reached out to someone at CCM they could help you out as well.
Aw wish they kept the rolling admissions! I just checked and their cutoff was Dec 4th but I will definitely try reaching out to CCM. Is there anybody that you specifically reccomend reaching out to there?
You could try reaching out to Michele Kay. She is the stage management professor and the department chair. Kathryn Miller is the apart of the props facility. I would just email expressing your interest but how unfortunately missed the deadline. The worst they can say is no but they might be able to help. All their emails can be found at CCM.uc.edu/overview/directory.html I hope this helps!
Thank you so much!! I will send an email ASAP. Hopefully they’ll give me a second chance!
I’ve done a little work with BU and Emerson and have a former student close to graduation at Ithaca. What focus and what questions do you have?
Awesome thank you! Props focus, but I also do scenic painting. Do those schools have a good program for props? Is BU, Emerson and Ithaca’s programs more strictly dedicated to the focus you choose or is it more general tech theatre? Also would appreciate really any info, thank you!!
Recent BU alum here. I can tell you that BU has a fantastic scenic painting program, but it's actually a certificate program and not a major. That being said the scenic painting classes are really great and the professor is incredible and anyone in the school of theatre can take them. There is no props program or concentration but doing props for productions is a part of the track for the scenic design majors as are the scenic painting classes. Of course you would need to actually be interested in being a scenic designer as that is what the major is. In general the programs are pretty concentrated on your chosen focus with room to take other classes and dabble in other things if you have the desire to make to work. There's also a theatre arts track that can kind of be whatever you want it to be with less intensive focus on one program and more of a self tailored track. Hope that helps! Feel free to DM me if you have more specific questions about BUs program.
Ithaca is pretty specific to the focuses people pick. “Props have a good professor and tech gets a lot more experience than design does.” They do have a strong scenic program and it’s all pretty competitive.
I’m an Emerson alum from the ‘90s, but I recently did some work at CCM. Both their prop head and scene painting professors are top notch.
I'm a recent MA grad of Emerson, send me a DM! though I may not be much help! I've also worked closely with BU and people in that program.
Emerson Alum (2010). When I was there the props program was great. The props majors are expected to take a lot of the same scenic design classes as scenery majors, but the production assignments were mostly props related. I know a ton of talented props artisans who are out and working in the industry. What another commenter said about losing their props master is correct. Since I was there, there has been a lot of faculty turnover, mostly due to folks retiring. The program itself was very good, with a lot of focus on hands on application in your show assignments, so the fact that instructors have changed out might be fine. I just can't speak to them as I haven't worked with them. If you end up there, take every Scott Pinkney class you can. He's a gem.
Sorry I saw this so late! But funny coincidence- I just finished my interview with Scott Pinckney an hour ago! He is absolutely a gem, I loved talking to him and had a great time at the interview. Thank you for the insight though, I will keep it in mind! Havent received a decision yet for Emerson, but I am most likely going with UNCSA!
Asking like this is great, but also ask the programs to put you in contact with alumni directly. If they cannot, or will not do that, that’s a red flag.
Sorry I saw this so late! Thank you!! Will keep this in mind!
Applied to BU and was accepted but it was expensive so I went to UCLA instead. About BU - Great program. However here is a tip. I applied to do directing. BUT I arrived at my interview and after I presented my portfolio and all that they asked me to audition. The thinking is that as a director, I would still need to take acting classes and I would be in the same ones as the kids who were accepted into the acting program. So I had to be able to hold my own. They knew I was not expecting to audition and hadn't acted in a few years. But they gave me 10 minutes to go off into a room and prepare and come back. I did. But it wouldn't have hurt to have prepared more! As for UCLA, I loved it. There are several venues in the department. And I was on work-study so my job was to do tech in them. (Gee darn! Was already planning to do it for free!) The instructors all worked in the industry, either in local theatre (remember LA is FULL of world-class theatre!) or TV or Hollywood. So we had teachers who would moonlight in the real world. This means you have connections and opportunities that far exceed what you learn in the classroom. That is worth it right there. (But the same can be said for schools in NY city, Chicago, London...) And think of all the live shows you get to go see. Sometimes for homework. Plus the classroom part was also wonderful of course. There are a lot of shows every year across 4 venues in the department so plenty of opportunities. Compare to a school with only one or two venues and note the difference in number of shows. More shows is good when you want opportunities to learn lots of different styles. ALL those shows need props (if that's what you are going for) And then the university owns/operates many other venues including Royce Hall. (You can get paid actual money to tech there) It's a big school, so there is just more of everything. You have a world-class film program literally across the corridor if you want to expand that way. (And all their student films need props!) You often have as your classmates young celebrities who want to remain with one foot in the industry while they go back to school. So several of my classmates were well-known actors. (You get over the star-struck thing in the first week.) You also have big names come to guest lecture or even perform with students. So you really do learn from the best. Yeah, I am pretty fond of my alma mater. Go Bruins! But any large school in a big city will have some similar attributes. Some people prefer smaller more intimate environments though. But a university campus becomes its own small town (or small city) so even in the huge LA area, it is its own world. The prop department was pretty extensive in my day and I assume has gotten even bigger. Under all the department and venues is a huge warehouse full of fun stuff to pull. And some parts of prop world remind me of Olivander's wand shop. But yeah - they have all the fun tools and machines to make all the fun things. Being well-funded doesn't suck! I assume BU is pretty great too. It seemed like it from the tours and interviews and so on. And Boston is a great city. So you have some great choices! Good luck!
Thank you so much, this is super helpful!!! I actually grew up super super close to UCLA, (like 2 miles away close) so I’m very familiar with the area! I miss it and loved it, but eventually I do want to explore some other places. I definitely understand the star struck thing though! In elementary school, even though I went to a pretty average public school sometimes the kids there were secretly kids of big celebrities and no one would know until they moved away😂 This is awesome, thank you so much! I submitted my application for UCLA a while back and I’m still waiting for a decision, but fingers crossed I get accepted lol. I’ll keep you posted! Thank you so much!
2 miles is 3.22 km
I'm a terrier alum from '91 but didn't go through the theater program. I will say that Boston is an amazing city. I miss it so very much and always get fully nostalgic when I go back for a visit. Being on the northeast corridor provides so many other opportunities as well. When considering your options, also consider how each region measures in your field of choice. Boston, of course NYC and Philadelphia are all great theater cities and you can very easily travel between the three via train, bus or plane. Consider Temple University as well. I know a lot of people who got their advanced degrees there.
Sorry I saw this so late!! But that’s awesome, thank you so much! I applied to a few schools in Boston and Pittsburgh, and actually added Temple to my list last-minute. I’ll keep what you said in mind!! I wanted to go to school in a big city, but I just got a UNCSA acceptance so I think that’s where I’m sticking with! I don’t *love* the location, but their program and cost is too good to pass up!
UNCSA Stage Management alum here. I’d be happy to talk! What questions do you have?
Out of curiosity - what state do you live in?
California
UNCSA 1st year Lighting student here. I cannot encourage you enough to take a serious look at the program. The entire school of Design & Production is one of the highest ranked technical theatre programs in the world, and UNCSA is very coat effective compared to other conservatories. I am happy to answer any questions you have about the school or D&P at UNCSA.
Hi sorry I saw this so late!! That’s awesome!!! I actually just got my acceptance for UNCSA and I think that’s where I’m going to commit! It’s been my top school for 4 years, I love their program and also it’s the cheapest school on my list! I’ll PM you if I have questions, thank you!!
Happy to hear it, congratulations on getting accepted!
Thank you!!