Stage design

The aim of the eight-semester stage design programme at the Mozarteum University is for students to develop their individual, independently reflected artistic position. The main subject Stage Design comprises the fields of stage design, costume design, film architecture and exhibition architecture.

Since stage design today moves freely between performing and visual arts, the fields of architecture, literature, fashion, music, design and photography, stage design students should deal with the various sub-fields of art, technology and new media in an interdisciplinary way in order to be able to move effortlessly between different areas of the arts.

Students learn:

• To work in a team with stage directors (drama and opera), acquiring communicative and cooperative skills that are indispensable in the profession and also to enable a qualitative increase in performance and artistic results
• The ability to work independently on new areas of knowledge and to gather facts and basic knowledge on individual questions by means of research
• To be better able to understand and work in the areas of theatre and film on the basis of their own experience with acting and camera work

Link to the curriculum

The first two years of study provide intensive training in the basic knowledge of art, cultural and theatre history, drawing and technical skills; in the third and fourth year, students will specialise in stage, costume, film/television or exhibition planning, with a particular focus on technical areas of expertise. At the same time, students' own projects, internships at various theatres and international exchange programmes are encouraged during this period of study. The structure of the curriculum allows students to complete parts of their studies at internationally recognised foreign universities.

In particular, students learn:

• Communication and cooperation skills that are essential in the profession, where strong partnerships with directors (drama & opera) are crucial and good teamwork also enables a qualitative increase in performance and artistic outcomes
• The ability to work independently on new areas of knowledge, gathering facts and basic knowledge on individual questions by means of research
• To be better able to understand and work in the areas of theatre and film on the basis of their own experience with acting and camera work

Graduates in stage design should:

• Be able to express themselves artistically in all branches of the arts, be able to independently develop and realise their ideas in the fields of stage and costume design, film, and exhibition architecture
• Be able to present designs for theatre, film and exhibition in an appropriate form
• Have learned how to present their ideas in traditional forms (diagram, model, technical drawing) as well as being competent in the technical and aesthetic use of new media
• Demonstrate a broad basic knowledge in the fields of art, cultural, literary and theatre history and stylistics
• Be able to express themselves convincingly through drawing, using their unique personal style, and learn to use drawing as a thought process
• Be able to complete the entire work process of a production or project from concept to realisation within a given framework - in terms of budget, working and construction time and production costs, technical possibilities, etc.
• Gain practical experience to complement all content areas taught during their studies by means of internships
• Have the opportunity to study stage, costume, film/television and/or exhibition design more intensively in practical, performance and technical terms during the last two years of their studies

The basic prerequisite for the program is the ability and curiosity to deal analytically and creatively with content-related and formal approaches to theatre texts as well as various dramatic compositions. Small class sizes of maximum eight students per year allow for intensively supervised study.

The close cooperation with the departments of acting, directing and opera at the university enables students to test their own stage designs in practice during their studies. Our teachers and lecturers from the fields of stage design, directing, visual arts, film and photography guarantee practice-oriented teaching through their own artistic activities.

The respective semester assignments are set on an interdisciplinary basis and are also supervised in this way. The dialogue between students and teachers is conducted in a spirit of partnership.

The object of the entrance examination  is to establish the student's talent and intensive interest in theatre, opera, art, fashion, literature, and in particular for the principal study of stage and costume design. Furthermore, the proof of basic knowledge in artistic painting and drawing techniques is required as well a strong sense of spacial awareness and the ability to depict this through drawing. 

For applicants whose first language is not German, proof of German language skills must be provided.

Procedure of the entrance examination

The entrance examination consists of:

Part 1:

• A preliminary discussion with the examination panel and joint review of the portfolio 

Part 2:

• Drawing according to given motifs (object, space, architecture, etc.) 
• Drafts in relation to a given theme with the help of sketches, drawings and a small model 
• a final discussion with the examination committee and announcement of the result of the examination.

On the basis of the artistic portfolios submitted, the examination panel will make a preliminary selection of the candidates to be invited. Invitations to the entrance examination will be sent at short notice by e-mail.

Attendance is compulsory for all 3 days of the examination period (date 1 or date 2, depending on registration). The examination begins at 10.00 a.m. (or 9.00 a.m. if necessary) and ends at approx. 6.00 p.m. each day.

Candidates must bring their own drawing and painting utensils (paper/pencils/paints etc.) as well as materials for model making (scissors/cutter/cutting ruler/glue/cardboard etc.) to the entrance examination. The candidate's portfolio (which was submitted in advance) will be returned at the final interview, while the work produced during the examination will remain at the department for archiving.

Information on the individual partial examinations

Part 1: Portfolio

A compilation of the candidate's own artistic works (drawings, sketches, drafts, models and photos on the topics of spatial perception, architectural representation and free artistic topics) must be submitted to the examination board in the form of a portfolio. No restrictive guidelines are set with regard to technique, format and number of works; reproductions (photo, film) are only permitted as representations of sculpture or performative works. Works that have been created in the context of various school lessons with given tasks may be included in the portfolio but should be kept to a minimum. An advisory discussion of the portfolio in advance is possible at any time by personal appointment via the secretary's office and is highly recommended. Furthermore, at the end of the summer semester there is the opportunity to gain an insight into the study programme and the department through a studio tour. Information can be obtained from the secretary's office.

The application form and the portfolio can be submitted in person at the departmental secretary's office or at the porter's office of the Mozarteum University on the respective dates for portfolio submission. Alternatively, the portfolio can be sent by post to the following address:

Universität Mozarteum Salzburg
Bühnengestaltung/Department Szenografie
Schrannengasse 10a
5020 Salzburg
AUSTRIA

Part 2: Entrance Examination & Interview

An artistic examination taking place over 3 days serves as proof of artistic-creative talent and the ability to express oneself through drawing. The topic is selected by the examination senate. The examination tasks includes still life drawing, drafts and sketches for the tasks set by the examination board, and model construction. A discussion about the portfolio at the beginning of the examination and a final discussion about the work produced during the examination allows the candidate and the examiners to get to know each other.
Mastery of the German language is required according to §37(1) and Appendix 1 Z 2a UniStG and must be demonstrated at the beginning of the degree programme. Proof is provided by means of an oral examination, to take place as part of the entrance examination.

• Is it possible to study costume only?
  No, the study programme Stage and Costume Design focuses on stage, space, film, exhibition architecture as well as costume. A modular structure of the degree programme is not offered.
• How long does the degree programme take?
  The curriculum provides for a minimum duration of 8 semesters, although students are often permitted to extend their studies to 9 to 11 semesters due to recommended practical work at theatres or in the film business. If a student wishes to curtail their studies, they can apply to do so by providing proof of previous studies in a closely related subject and thus demonstrating that they have completed all courses.
• How many places are available on the course? How many people are expected to apply?
  Approximately 20 to 40 applicants take the entrance examination each year, with around 5-8 applicants being admitted annually.
• Do I need a Matura or Abitur to study?
  No, the examination board can grant admission to studies without Matura or Abitur, provided that they pass the entrance examination.
• Is proof of an internship related to the subject required?
  No, it is not.
• Is German a prerequisite for admission?
  Within the entrance examination, which includes interviews with the examination panel, the examiners must be satisfied that the the applicant's knowledge of the German language is already sufficient for them to fully participate in studying, or that an additional language examination could be successfully taken within one semester. However, the language of instruction is exclusively German.
• Can I combine my studies with a professional activity?
  Experience has shown that in the first four semesters a full-time professional commitment is difficult to combine with seminar and studio work, as attendance at seminars is sometimes compulsory.
• What academic degree does the stage design programme end with?
  The degree course in stage design ends with a two-stage diploma thesis (artistic-written work and diploma presentation); upon successful completion, the student is awarded the academic degree Magister/Magistra artium (Mag. art.).
• In which form does the registration for the entrance examination take place?
  Online via the registration portal for applicants.
• How many entrance examination dates are offered?
  For the start of the winter semester, two possible entrance examination dates are offered, one at the end of June and one at the end of September. It is not possible to start the programme in the summer semester, therefore no dates are offered for this.
• What should the portfolio contain?
  The portfolio should contain a compilation of the candidate's own work (drawings, sketches, drafts, photos, models, etc.), whereby the form and scope can be chosen individually. In essence, the portfolio should represent the candidate's previous independent artistic work, reflect their view of the environment, their own world view and biography, and testify to their desire and motivation to make theatre and art. Works that have been created in the context of school lessons can be included in the portfolio but should be kept to a minimum. It is not compulsory to prove competence in all painting and drawing techniques as well as the implementation of ideas in all conceivable two- and three-dimensional representation techniques, but candidates must demonstrate the gift of being able to express oneself with a pencil and communicate through sketche.
• What shape/size/scope must the folder have?
  There are no restrictions in terms of shape or format. The submission of three-dimensional objects is possible. Photographic or video reproductions should only be used for works that cannot be transported.
• Is it possible to show the work in advance in a personal meeting?
  Yes, appointments can be made through the secretary's office. A non-binding portfolio discussion can, under certain circumstances, lead to clarity regarding the form and scope of the portfolio, so that misunderstandings can be avoided. At the same time, it also gives candidates the opportunity to visit the studios on site and, if necessary, to make contact with students of stage design.
• How long does the portfolio remain at the university?
  The portfolio remains in the department from the time it is submitted until the end of the entrance examination, so it cannot be collected early for a parallel procedure at another institution.
• Are there tuition fees or possibilities for scholarships?
  - see Service & Support
• Is it possible to visit the department during the study period?
  Of course, but a short registration at the secretar's office is requested. At the end of the summer semester there is also the opportunity to see students' work and meet teachers as part of the studio tour. Link to the event calendar
• Who is invited to the examination, or is the selection of examination candidates already made on the basis of the portfolio?
  Due to the possibility of submitting the portfolio up to three weeks before the exam, an invitation to the exam is issued in writing at very short notice. In principle, an initial selection is made.
• Will the portfolio be returned by post at the end of the procedure?
  No, the portfolio can be taken away during the three-day examination or collected from the secretary's office at a later date. The secretary's office is located at Paris Lodron Str. 9, 2nd floor and is open Mon-Fri 8.00-12.00. Please request an appointment by calling +43 676 88122 461 or emailing barbara.plamberger@moz.ac.at. 
• How can I prepare for the written examination?
  The written exam take place over three days, during which time candidates will work intensively and in a structured way in the department or studio. A variety of tasks will be set which alternatively require responses in the forms of sketches, drawings and models. Candidates should bring their own working materials (paper, paint, model building material etc.) to the examination.