Master’s Program in Scenography – Theatre Scenography at DAMU

Overview

The Master’s program in Scenography – Theatre Scenography at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU) is a two-year, full-time course conducted in English. It is designed for graduates in scenography, fine arts, architecture, or related disciplines who wish to expand their creative, technical, and conceptual skills in the field of stage design. Rooted in the long-standing Czech tradition of scenography, the program combines rigorous artistic training with professional preparation for live performance, non-traditional spaces, and immersive installations. Students are encouraged to explore a variety of performance genres, including drama, opera, musical theatre, physical theatre, and site-specific productions, while developing a personal artistic voice and conceptual approach to scenography.

Programme Goals

The program aims to produce graduates who are both imaginative and critically aware, capable of creating original, conceptually coherent scenographic projects. Its goals include:

• Developing independent artistic and conceptual identities.

• Translating scripts, texts, and performance ideas into distinctive visual and spatial designs.

• Responding creatively to non-traditional and immersive performance spaces.

• Mastering the technical, organisational, and production aspects of scenography.

• Cultivating critical reflection and theoretical understanding to contextualize practice historically, culturally, and socially.

Graduates leave the program ready to function not only as visual designers but as strategic, innovative collaborators capable of shaping entire performance environments.

Curriculum Structure

The program spans four semesters and emphasizes progressive studio work, theoretical study, and applied practice:

• Semesters 1–3: Students undertake project-based work tailored to their interests and prior experience, building skills in scenographic thinking, technical drawing, modelling, spatial realisation, and performance documentation.

• Semester 4: The final semester focuses on the diploma project, a comprehensive scenographic concept designed for a real or simulated performance, from conception to implementation or documentation.

• Throughout the program, students engage with seminars in the history and theory of scenography, light and set design, drawing and painting, production techniques, and elective modules that broaden intellectual and artistic perspectives.

• Flexibility allows students to pursue individual interests, such as site-specific, immersive, or experimental performance projects, while maintaining professional rigor and coherence.

This combination ensures graduates acquire both the creative freedom and practical skills necessary for professional scenographic practice.

Graduate Profile

Graduates of the Theatre Scenography program are versatile and professionally equipped. They demonstrate:

• Independent creativity: Ability to generate conceptually coherent, visually compelling scenographic projects that stand as independent works of art.

• Collaborative competence: Preparedness to work as full members of production teams, including directors, choreographers, producers, and technicians.

• Technical and organisational skills: Expertise in producing models, technical drawings, budgets, and supervising scenic construction and installation.

• Critical and theoretical awareness: Capacity to contextualize work historically, culturally, and socially, and to articulate a distinct artistic and conceptual vision.

• Professional adaptability: Readiness to work across traditional theatres, experimental spaces, galleries, exhibitions, public installations, and immersive performance environments.

Graduates leave DAMU as reflective, resourceful, and innovative professionals capable of leading and contributing to contemporary scenography and performance design.

Why Choose DAMU?

Studying at DAMU offers unique advantages:

• Historical prestige: The Department of Stage Design, founded in 1946, has nurtured generations of influential scenographers, including Josef Svoboda and Jan Dušek.

• Interdisciplinary and international environment: Small cohort sizes and English-language instruction foster personalized mentorship, cross-cultural exchange, and professional networking.

• Creative flexibility with rigor: Students can pursue specialisations while meeting high standards of conceptual and technical excellence.

• Professional orientation: Hands-on studio work, production collaborations, and documentation processes ensure graduates are ready for the professional world.

• Cultural context: Located in Prague, a city rich in theatre, architecture, and arts, students benefit from an inspiring environment and access to European creative networks.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• A Bachelor’s degree in scenography, fine arts, architecture, interior design, or a related field.

• Submission of a portfolio demonstrating creative work and a motivational statement outlining study intentions.

• Participation in a talent assessment, including a design project presentation and an interview.

• Sufficient English proficiency to engage with advanced studio-based and theoretical coursework.

• Admission is competitive due to small cohort sizes, ensuring intensive mentorship and personalized guidance.

Career Prospects

Graduates are equipped to pursue diverse professional trajectories:

• Scenographers or set designers in theatres (traditional, experimental, or site-specific).

• Designers for exhibitions, galleries, public-space installations, and immersive environments.

• Creators in interactive and multimedia projects that blend theatre, installation, and digital media.

• Leaders or collaborators in curatorial, production, and design teams.

• Academic or research roles, including doctoral studies and teaching positions, supported by the program’s emphasis on critical reflection and artistic research.

The program positions graduates as not only skilled designers but as conceptual thinkers and leaders, prepared to shape the future of scenography and performance design globally.