Stage Design (8203T058)

master's programme qualification

No new students are accepted for the qualification. Qualification finishes 2024-12-31.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning

A completed university Bachelor`s programme in stage design or in a related field (Academy of Fine Arts in Prague; Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague; Faculty of Architecture, Czech Technical University).

Qualification requirements and regulations

Field of study characterization

Instruction in the programme is based on the blending of art, humanities and technology, which develop students` personal characteristics and their focus on specific areas of stage design. The Master`s programme is a decisive phase for shaping an artistic personality and is determinative for further professional development. The pedagogical direction is based on students` ideas, their original notions and their own solutions, and it helps them develop and identify their projects` further artistic possibilities. We understand pedagogical direction in the Master`s programme as a creative process. Instruction takes place in three specialised studios:

theatrical stage design,
costume and masks,
film and TV set design.

Specialisations can be combined.

Key learning outcomes

A graduate of the Master`s programme in theatrical stage design is able to create, on the basis of theoretical preparation of acquired knowledge, a conceptually reasoned, distinctive, comprehensive authorial stage design project of significant artistic quality.

Furthermore, a graduate knows how to present and defend a stage design project, to resolve a work`s material and technological conception, and is able to create a conception for a lighting design, to reflect theoretically on his/her own artistic work and to inspire a creative team.

Artistically, he/she is able to direct the realisation of an artistic work,

to create a model and the relevant documentation for the work, and with his/her own creative solution to co-create a presentation of the dramatic work in public. He/she has other abilities and skills following from the programme`s individual project,

and can contribute authorially to the creation of a dramatic work.

A graduate demonstrates deep knowledge and understanding of the field`s theoretical bases, and is capable of creating his/her own interpretation of a work reflecting the current state of the field`s development and of applying contexts of artistic creation from the other creative disciplines. He/she is able to reflect theoretically on his/her own artistic work.

A graduate of the Master`s programme in costume and masks works creatively on costumes for theatre, film and television, and creates independent conceptual solutions for costumes. He/she is able to draw or otherwise creatively communicate individual designs for costumes within the scope of the overall conception of the staging. He/she is able to defend and to provide a rationale for his/her costumes, and to employ arguments in support of his/her artistic intent and solution. He/she can cooperate with the entire creative team and is able to react to component changes during the course of a dramatic work`s preparation. He/she knows how to present and defend his/her individual designs and the design project for all the costumes to the other creators and realisers.

A graduate of the Master's programme in the field of set design for film and television is prepared to be a fully-fledged member of the creative team working on an audio-visual work. A graduate of this programme demonstrates breadth and depth of knowledge necessary not only from the standpoint of the scenic design, but also from that of its realisation. He/she is oriented in the working methods of a film set designer. A graduate is sufficiently acquainted with the technical and economic aspects of the work that he/she is able to select suitable approaches and methods in addressing professional creative tasks. He/she is familiar with the latest findings in this field, and is capable of integrating them creatively into his/her own work. He/she is capable of sufficiently defending his/her choice and solution, and of providing a rationale for them with arguments. When working on a film, he/she is able to identify and effectively respond to problems caused by internal or external influences. A graduate is prepared to present his/her work, to identify and creatively resolve problems of the given assignment, to realise his/her design and to manage communication with decoration producers and other collaborators. He/she is oriented in the working system of film construction and costume design.

Occupational profiles of graduates with examples

Theatrical stage design - graduates can apply their skills in all types of theatres including theatres abroad, thanks to their language skills. Other options for applying their skills: stage designer for exhibitions, concerts, events or multimedia presentations.

Costume and mask design - graduates in this specialisation can apply their skills in all Czech and foreign theatres, in film, television and multimedia creation, as well as in new media and apparel design.

Set design for film and television - the instruction is conceived in such a way so that graduates in this area are able to become involved in working on a work of film in various positions of the film crew`s creative department. Graduates can thus hold positions from decoration designer to illustrator, costume director, artistic director of the creative department, to the film`s main set designer. This means that graduates are capable of reacting to offers from domestic as well as foreign producers, and their professional and knowledge level is completely comparable to that of foreign university graduates in this field.

Access to further studies

Doctoral programme in the field of Theory and Practice of Theatrical Creation and in the field of Scenic Creation and Theory of Scenic Creation. Lifelong learning programmes, master courses, etc.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

Studies are assessed by credits and examinations stipulated by study plans. The student is informed of these through the information system.

The student registers for examinations using the information system, and is entitled to a second and third attempt to pass an examination. If neither of these attempts proves successful, the Dean may in exceptional cases permit a fourth attempt (administered by a commission). It is not permitted to repeat an examination for the main subjects or to repeat written examinations.

The credit is an ungraded form of assessment of studies. It is allocated upon fulfilment of requirements stipulated for individual subjects and is recorded in the information system with the word „Credited“ (Z). An examination is a graded form of assessment of studies, which tests knowledge and level of creativity in the relevant subject. In the main subjects, examinations are administered by a commission. An examination may be practical, written, oral, or involve a combination of these methods. Examinations are graded on the scale „A, B, C, D, E, F“.

Graduation requirements

The student fulfils the requirements corresponding to the study plan.

The student passes the final state examination.

A condition for advancement to the Master`s examinations is in particular the realisation of an independent creative project, the defence of which is part of the state examination.

The State Master`s Examination consists of the diploma project and its defence. In the examinations on Theory and History of the Field and History and Theory of Dramatic Art, the student`s own theoretical reflection of the project and the student`s own authorial approach are expected.

Mode of study

full-time

Qualification director or equivalent

Jan ŠTĚPÁNEK

Field of study is part of study programme

Dramatic Arts – (N8203)