Scenography

Established: 2004

Educational Degree: Bachelor

Duration: 4 years (8 semesters)

Form of education: Full-time

 

1.ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The programme aims at educating qualified scenographers (set and costume designers), who could work in the field of drama theatre, puppet theatre and cinema. The students study alongside their colleagues in Acting and Directing, and this allows them to work in teams on course projects and diploma works.

The educational process focuses on key aspects of the profession such as design and stage space, costumes, lighting, drawing, painting, sculpture, fundamentals of composition, techniques and technologies, layouts, history of costume, perspective, makeup, screen design, directing for drama and puppet theatre, construction and modeling of the costume, history of plastic arts. The programme has the goal to support authors with rich culture, creativity, skills and a modern view on the performing and audiovisual arts, as well as the co-relations between them. Using a variety of techniques, materials and visual languages enables students to become open-minded when creating their own artistic projects.

As an integral component of the students’ development, there are compulsory and elective courses, providing theoretical and historical knowledge in the fields of theatre and literature, music, fine and plastic arts, psychology, philosophy, aesthetics, mythology and religion, as well as additional professional skills in dubbing, vocal and speech, casting preparation, etc.

During the third and the fourth year of their studies, the most prominent students work with their colleagues, who study directing, to develop and perform their diploma projects on the stages of Theatre NATFA and Puppet theatre NATFA.

 

2. EDUCATION

Education is only full-time, lasting 4 years. Each semester ends up with a public exam, in which the students present their projects in front of a jury, consisting of teaching staff and students, and defend their work publicly. Graduates who have completed their credits under the programme curriculum have to pass a final diploma defence on two stage productions – one for drama and one for puppet theatre. The diploma projects include the creation of original scenographic designs including costumes (puppets) and technical/lighting specifications. The projects may be presented using physical or 3D models.

 

3. QUALIFICATION

Graduates acquire the educational qualification degree “Bachelor of Arts”, with professional qualification “Scenographer” and find jobs at professional theatres (state, municipal, private, independent), film and television productions, etc. They could also continue further their education in Master programs.

 

4. ADMISION

Stage I: Practical Exam (in two rounds)

Round 1:

Drawing a graphic sketch of a figure, natural standing pose, 35/50 cm, using either pencil, ink or charcoal. Expectations are that applicants will show their skills to construct a human figure, to capture the model’s character and convey its mood, to demonstrate a good command over the chosen graphical material.

Exam duration: 120 minutes.

 

Round 2:

Drawing a color sketch of a figure, natural standing pose, 35/50 cm, using either tempera, aquarelle or pastel. Expectations are that applicants will show their skills to construct a human figure, to capture the model’s character and convey its mood, to catch the atmosphere and to organize the color harmony, to demonstrate a good command over the chosen color material.

Exam duration: 120 minutes.

Applicants who receive a score lower than average (3.00) cannot participate in Stage II.

 

Stage 2: Oral Exam

Applicants present their works from Stage I as well as their portfolios to the Selection Committee and are then invited to analyze their results from Stage I by answering questions, related to their choices. The Selection Committee also interviews the applicants about the materials, included in their application portfolio. The aim of the interview is to understand the applicants’ potential capabilities, interests, overall cultural knowledge and mindset, ability for independent thinking and artistic reflections. Applicants who receive a score lower than average (3.00) cannot participate in the final ranking.

Program Director

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mira Kalanovа

 

 

 

 

 

ACADEMIC TEAM

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mira Kalanova (Stage Design, Screen Design), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marina Raichinova (Stage Design), Prof. Dr. Chaika Petrusheva (Stage Design), Dr. Boyana Buchvarova (Stage Design), Prof. Maya Petrova (Scenography for Puppet Theatre), Dr. Petya Karadjova (Scenography for Puppet Theatre, Stage Techniques and technologies), Vanina Geleva (Screen Design), Prof.  Slavcho Malenov (Stage Art Lighting, Basics of Puppet Theatre Directing), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miroslav Tsvetanov (Technology for Puppet Theatre), Assoc. Prof. Christo Dobarov (Perspective), Аntonia Popova (History of Costume), Bistra Zlatareva (Drawing), Sylvi Baseva (Painting), Boris Andreev (Sculpture, Drawing), Virginia Dodova (Construction and Modelling of Theatre Costume), Zdravko Milenov (Computar Technologies for Design), Аtanas Temnilov (Makeup).

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Aim of the portfolio.

The portfolio’s purpose is to show your potential as an artist and author in the best way, with diverse interests, abilities to work with different materials and ways of expression, to show your capabilities to follow your goals and develop your ideas. Your portfolio must present you as a creative individuality with passion, that will help you in the process of your professional development.

 

How to prepare the portfolio?

Gather various original creations which you have already made – sketches, drawings, paintings, graphics, sculptures, photographs, fashion design, etc. Every little drawing and sketch, which could show stages of your idea’s development, could be part of the portfolio. Separate them by the type of material used, by themes and ideas, in chronological order, or by any way you think is best.

Choose the materials for each section. Arrange them on white, black or color paper in A3 format, the same as your folder.

Choose different paper for each section or each theme. The paper plays the role of a passpartu for your creations and impacts the way they are perceived. You could add inscriptions, titles, themes.

If you present photographs of your creations, they must be backed up by original sketches and drawings (stages of their creation) by which you could prove their originality.

You can add to your portfolio sketch books, mock-ups, or other creative works.

Remember to prepare your portfolio in a way which would distinguish you from the other applicants and would impress the selection committee.

 

Sample Questions for Stage II.

  • Who do Macbeth and Banco meet on the way home in the first act of “Macbeth” by W. Shakespeare?
  • Who are the characters in “Nirvana”, by K. Iliev, and who are the historical figures behind them?
  • What is the theme in the theatre play “At the Footsteps of Vitosha Mountain”, by K. Yavorov?
  • Where does the action take place in the play “The House of Bernarda Alba” by F.G. Lorca?
  • What is the main theme in “Marriage”, by N.V. Gogol
  • Which works of the Renaissance Art excite you the most? Why?
  • When did the Bulgarian Revival begin?
  • What is Impressionism?
  • Which Bulgarian films do you like? What do you find most impressive about them?

Which shows from the current theater season have impressed you? Why?