MFA in Design for Stage and Film - Lighting Design in New York United States | New York University

The Stage and Film Design Department at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts brings together a vibrant collective of theater and film creatives. Our three-year MFA program cultivates the next wave of theatrical and cinematic designers who, following in the footsteps of our esteemed faculty and graduates, will significantly influence the arts through their innovative designs.
Through a structured sequence of studio courses, every graduate student evolves as a designer throughout the Master of Fine Arts curriculum. While specializing in one or two core design fields—scenic, film, costume, or lighting—students are also urged to explore complementary disciplines. Though art classes and theater technology courses provide valuable skills, the curriculum prioritizes the creative design journey. In studio sessions, students delve deeply into textual interpretation, character development, musical influences, historical contexts, and psychological dimensions, pushing their creative boundaries to develop fresh, visionary approaches.Some of the most dynamic collaborations emerge when scenic designers team up with lighting and costume specialists alongside directors during coursework. The program fosters designer-director partnerships by including Columbia University directing students in upper-level design classes. Tisch filmmakers and designers also collaborate on shared projects, guided by leading contemporary film production designers.The curriculum blends theoretical foundations with hands-on practice, focusing on script interpretation, conceptual exploration, interdisciplinary teamwork, and technical proficiency.