Program Guide

Stage Management

College: Visual Arts, Theatre and Dance
Degree: BFA in Stage Management
Specialized Admission: Yes

Contact: Michele Diamonti
Address: 223 Fine Arts Building, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1160
Phone: (850) 644-5548
Email: mdiamonti@admin.fsu.edu

Students cannot begin enrolling in this major until Fall 2026. Also, please note: FSU is not yet authorized to enroll F-1 international students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Stage Management. International students who need an F-1 visa, should NOT apply to these majors at this time.

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Stage Management at FSU is a highly competitive program providing students with the essential training and practical experience required to become a professional stage manager and a successful theatre artist. The curriculum educates students through a series of academic coursework, one-on-one mentoring, and individualized practical production experiences. Students take dedicated coursework in stage management from professionally-practicing faculty while also receiving well-rounded training in areas such as hospitality, arts administration, score reading, stage combat, and theatrical production. The program lays the groundwork for professional practice upon graduation, and it is also an excellent foundation for continued graduate study.

Prerequisite Coursework: (none)

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Admission Requirements to Major 
Admission is by interview and portfolio review. Interviews are held every January for fall admission. Interviews are open to incoming freshmen. The interview must be accompanied by an acceptance academic record and up-to-date transcripts and resume. Contact The School of Theatre for details. Students applying to the BFA program need to apply to both The School of Theatre and University Admissions. 

Additional information can be found at: https://theatre.fsu.edu/programs/bfa-stage-management/ .

Foundation Coursework: (23 hours)
TPA 2290 (1) Tech Theatre Lab I
THE 2000 (3) Introduction to Theatre
THE 1925 (3) Colloquiums/Symposiums/Workshops
THE x000-x999 (3) Theatre Studiees and General Resources
THE x000-x999 (3) Theatre Production and Administration
THE x000-x999 (3) Theatre Performance and Performance Training
TPA 1200 (3) Inroduction to Technical Theatre OR TPA 2210 (3) Stage Craft I
THE 2305 (3) Survey of Dramatic Literature OR THE 2300 (3) Dramatic Literature
TPP 2190 (1) Rehearsal and Performance I

Major Program of Studies at FSU: (84 hours)
The BFA student is assessed each semester to review competencies; a 3.00 GPA must be maintained in all major requirements, with a 3.00 or better GPA in all coursework. 

Program Core Requirements (19 hours)
THE 4990 (0) All School Events (Every Fall and Spring Semester)
THE 2020 (3) Introduction to The School of Theatre 
TPA 2000 (3) Introduction to Design
TPA 2201 (3) Introduction to Technical Theatre
TPA 2291 (1) Technical Theatre Laboratory
THE 3213 (3) World Theatre History I
THE 3214 (3) World Theatre History II
THE 4303 (3) Play Analysis 

Core Competency Courses (59 hours)
TPA 4601 (2) Stage Management
TPA 4602 (3) Advanced Stage Management
TPA 4608 (3) Stage Management III
THE 4954 (1) Culminations
TPA 3609 (6) Stage Management Seminar (taken 6 times for 1 credit each) 
TPA 4XXX (2) Advanced Stage Management Seminar 
TPA 3605 (2, 2) Assistant Stage Management Practicum (taken 2 times) 
TPA 3606 (4) Stage Management Practicum
TPA 4400 (3) Theatre Management
THE 4913 (1) Theatre Tutorial OR MVK 1001 (1) Piano for Non-Majors
TPP 4310 (3) Directing I 
TPP 4531 (3) Stage Combat
TPA 3230 (3) Costuming I
TPA 3353 (3) Introduction to Lighting and Sound
TPA 3006 (3) Introduction to Stage Properties 
TPA 4060 (3) Principles of Scenic Design
HFT 1000 (3) Introduction to Hospitality & Tourism OR HFT 3542 (3) Event Management
SPC 2608 (3) Public Speaking 
DAN 4501 (3) Production and Stage Management for Dance

Additional Requirements
Nine (9) hours of Electives

Digital Literacy: (0 hours beyond the major)
THE 4954 (1) Culminations meets this requirement for students in this major.

Oral Communication Competency: (0 hours beyond the major)
THE 2020 (3) Introduction to Theatres for Major meet this requirement for students in this major.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hours Required: 120
General Education: 36
Major Coursework: 84
Minor Coursework: 0
Digital Literacy: 0 beyond major
Oral Competency: 0 beyond major
Electives: 9 

Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.

Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Producer, Event Manager, Deck Manager, Show Caller, Production Manager

Representative Employers: Theatre Companies, Opera Companies, Dance Companies, Corporate Event Companies, Television Studios, Community Theatres, Dinner Theatres, Stock Companies, Theme Parks, Cruise Ships, Children’s Theatres, Event Entertainment Companies.