Costume Design:

• Learn to analyze scripts, research character traits, and design costumes that communicate personality, time, and place.
• Collaborate with directors/choreographers and design teams to produce conceptual interpretations of a playscript or dance piece.
• Master color, silhouette, texture, and pattern in both hand-drawn and digital formats.
• Build skills in costume construction, costume crafts, and wardrobe.
• Gain hands-on experience as an assistant and lead costume designer in various productions.

Lighting Design:

• Develop skills to establish time of day, season, and geographical location through lighting.
• Collaborate with directors/choreographers and design teams to produce conceptual interpretations of a playscript or dance piece.
• Create lighting cues that define movement, passage of time, character motivations, and emotional states.
• Progress from assisting to being the primary lighting designer on productions.

Scenic Design:

• Translate design ideas from concept to fully realized productions.
• Collaborate with directors and design teams to produce sketches, renderings, and scale models of scenery.
• Work on drafting plans and serve as a lead scenic designer in various productions.

Stage Management:

• Coordinate all aspects of production, including calling cues, chairing meetings, and supporting rehearsals.
• Develop skills in communication, organization, and leadership.
• Progress from assistant stage manager to lead stage manager on productions.

Technical Theater: Wood & Steel Fundamentals, Fabric & Construction Fundamentals, Lighting Fundamentals and Graphic Fundamentals. Studio Practice Rotations in: Prop Making, Costume Construction, Scenic Painting, and more!

Design and Production: Intermediate and Advanced Design (by design discipline), Collaborative Design Studio, Production Practicum, and Internship Opportunities.

Management: Intermediate and Advanced Stage Management, Production Practicum, and Internship opportunities.

Theater History and Theory: Understanding the historical and theoretical contexts of Theater, Musical Theatre, Global History of Dress.

Collaboration: Communication skill building, problem solving, and respectful exchange of ideas. Developing the ability to critique artworks constructively and engage in critical discourse. Multiple opportunities to engage with creative teams in support of productions.

Professional Practices: Career development, portfolio showcase, artist website development, and networking in the performing arts industry.

Interdisciplinary Practice: Encouraging collaboration across various visual art, design, and production disciplines to create innovative performances.

The program includes guest lectures, workshops, critiques from industry professionals, and emphasizes portfolio development to ensure students are job-ready upon graduation. Technical theatre students also have the opportunity to work alongside IATSE Union staff members, preparing them for a variety of union positions and opportunities within the industry.

IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) is a labor union that represents professionals in the entertainment industry, including stagehands, technicians, and artisans who work behind the scenes in theater, film, television, and live events. It ensures fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to training and benefits for its members. For students interested in technical theater, working with IATSE provides invaluable experience and a pathway to a career in the industry.