OnStage Blog, a website known for ranking college-level theater arts programs nationwide, has named Point Park, Carnegie Mellon and Penn State universities among the top 30 College Theatre Design and Tech Program for 2019-20.
The selection process began in April, when nearly two dozen researchers — theater educators, students, alumni and parents — got to work, using criteria including cost vs. scholarships, quality of facilities, performance/production opportunities, and post-graduate dupport. Diversity among students and educators and school security were other key factors in creating this school year’s top 30 lists.
“When looking at the scores, often these schools were separated by one to two points. So this year, we’re simply naming who we feel are the best, in no particular order,” the rankings said.
The 30 schools were not ranked in any particular order, but the list begins with Point Park. OnStage Blog noted, “Theatre production students will take a professional preparation course to develop resumes, portfolios and interviewing skills. These students also have an opportunity for sponsorship to the USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology) or SETC (Southeastern Theatre Conference) conferences for networking, career exploration and job interviews.”
CMU got high marks for “as many as 25 annual productions in the School of Drama — among them, The New Works Series, devised work, traditional theater, musicals, opera, dance, television, and film … Partnerships with professional theaters in Pittsburgh provide additional experiences for advanced students.
Penn State made the grade with its “ professional producing arm of the School of Theatre, Penn State Centre Stage, which enables costume students even greater and more direct contact with artists working in the industry. In addition, students are exposed to ‘hands on’ research in their historic clothing collection of over 1,000 garments and accessories.”
Sharon Eberson: seberson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1960. Twitter: @SEberson_pg. Sign up for the PG performing arts newsletter Behind the Curtain at Newsletter Preferences.
First Published: September 23, 2019, 8:12 p.m.
