These entry-level classes cover ways designers conceive of scenery, costumes, or lighting. There are no pre-requisites. Focus is on script interpretation and conception of ideas through graphic communication (research, drawing, painting, model building, etc)

• THE 352 Scene Design (3 credits); Offered fall semester in odd years
• THE 353 Costume Design (3 credits): Offered fall semester in even years
• THE 354 Lighting Design (3 credits): Offered spring semester in odd years

These are entry-level theatre technology classes, covering basic shop skills needed in each area of theatre. See the Undergraduate Bulletin for full descriptions.

• THE 253 Costume Construction Fundamentals (3 credits): Offered spring semester in even years
• THE 257 Stagecraft and Theatre Technologies (3 credits): Offered annually in fall semester
• THE 258 Scene Painting Fundamentals (3 credits): Offered spring semester in odd years

• THE 342 Stage Management (2 credits): Offered spring semester in even years

You can work on scenery running crew, props running crew, costume running crew or makeup running crew. These crews meet during the tech, dress and performances of shows and include evening and weekend hours. If you want to be on a run crew, we'd only ask you to run ONE show of the semester. Positions often include:

• • Scenery shift crew (setup, moving scenery during a show)
  • Prop run crew (setting props, preparing props for each show)
  • Wardrobe crew (setting costumes, helping actors change costumes)
  • Makeup crew (helping actors with hair and makeup)
  • Light board operator (operate light board, help with dimmer check)
  • Sound board operator (playback of sound effects, possible mixing of sound)
  • Productions sometimes call for other positions including follow spot operators, microphone wranglers, etc.

The scene designer helps conceptualize the physical environment for the play. Process includes meetings with director and production team; analysis and research; drawing, model building, drafting scenery for the production; providing paint elevations or color model; collaboration with the technical director, scenic artist, and scene shop to execute the design. In most cases, students who have completed THE 257 (stagecraft and theatre technologies) and THE 352 (scene design) will be given priority.

Students interested in scene design should first consider applying for a position as an assistant scene designer.

Please note that scene design does not involve the construction of scenery. If you love building scenery, consider a role on scenery build crew or in technical direction.

The costume designer envisions the costumes for the play. Process includes conceptual meetings with director and production team; analysis and research; drawing, rendering and swatching costumes for the production; collaboration with the costume shop supervisor to execute costumes. In most cases, students who have completed THE 253 (costume construction), and THE 353 (Costume Design) will be given priority.

Students interested in costume design should first consider applying for a position as an assistant costume designer.

The lighting designer illuminates the stage and establishes what the audience sees. Process includes conceptual meetings with director and production team; analysis and research; developing the light plot and accompanying paperwork; supervises focus; establishes cues. In most cases, students who have completed THE 257 (stagecraft and theatre technologies) and THE 354 (lighting design) will be given priority.

Students interested in lighting design should first consider applying for a position as an assistant lighting designer.

The sound designer creates the aural environment for the play. Process includes conceptual meetings with director and production team; analysis and research; recording and/or editing sound effects; reinforcement. Students interested in sound design should first consider applying for a position as an assistant sound designer.

The stage manager is the switchboard for all communication in the production process. The stage manager runs all production meetings; takes and distributes minutes; attends all rehearsals; serves as liaison between rehearsal and production areas; runs technical rehearsals; calls all performances. In most cases, students who have completed THE 342 (Stage Management) and who have served as assistant stage manager will be given priority.

Students interested in stage management should first consider applying for a position as an assistant stage manager.

The technical director takes the scene design and determines how scenery will be built. Duties include engineering construction of scenic units; costing and ordering of materials; construction of scenery. In most cases, students who have completed THE 257 (stagecraft and theatre technologies) and who have served as assistant technical director will be given priority.

Students interested in technical direction should first consider applying for a position as an assistant technical director.