Set your major to scene design

In the Scene Design program, you’ll learn to visualize, design and create the sets used in on-stage performances. You’ll collaborate with directors, dramaturges, technicians and the Scene Shop staff to build your set designs.

You’ll learn from distinguished and award-winning faculty, many of whom majored in ?set design and have extensive experience in the industry. You’ll also have the opportunity to work as assistant and lead set designer for one of the more than 40 public productions presented by The Theatre School each season.

In your fourth year, you’ll complete a set design internship in order to gain real-world experience. You’ll have the chance to take part in the annual Graduate Showcase, where you’ll present your set designs to artistic directors and other members of the theatre, film and television industries.

Classes

Coursework

• Drawing for Designers
• Lighting Design
• Design Production
• Model Building
• Scene Painting
• Technical Drawing
• Theatre Crew

Resources

• Major Requirements
• Schedule of Classes
• Department Website

Concentrations/Tracks

• Production Design

• Combined bachelor's + master's degree offered

Career Options

Common Career Areas

• Commercial set design
• Exhibit design
• Movie set design
• Television set design
• Theatre design

Major Requirements

Plan of Study Grid

First Year		Hours
DES 284	MODEL BUILDING	3
Drawing for Designers Sequence:
DES 111	DRAWING FOR DESIGNERS I	2
DES 112	DRAWING FOR DESIGNERS II	2
Technical Drawing I Sequence:
TEC 151	TECHNICAL DRAWING I	2
TEC 152	TECHNICAL DRAWING I	2
TEC 153	TECHNICAL DRAWING I	2
Principles of Design Sequence:
DES 141	ELEMENTS OF DESIGN	4
DES 142	PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN	4
DES 143	SCRIPT ANALYSIS	4
History of Dramatic Literature Sequence (Arts and Literature Requirement):
THE 204	HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE	4
THE 205	HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE	4
THE 206	HISTORY OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE	4
Three Quarters of Theatre Crew:		6
TEC 107	THEATRE CREW
Second Year
DES 250	MATERIALS AND PROCESSES	4
Rendering for Designers Sequence:
DES 384	RENDERING FOR DESIGNERS I	3
DES 385	RENDERING FOR DESIGNERS II	3
DES 386	RENDERING FOR DESIGNERS III	3
Scenographic Drafting Sequence:
DES 252	SCENOGRAPHIC DRAFTING	3
DES 253	SCENOGRAPHIC DRAFTING	3
Scene Design Sequence I:
DES 241	SCENE DESIGN I	4
DES 242	SCENE DESIGN I	4
DES 243	SCENE DESIGN I	4
Scene Painting Sequence:
DES 387	SCENE PAINTING	2
DES 388	SCENE PAINTING	2
DES 389	SCENE PAINTING	2
Production Practice Sequence I:
DES 271	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE I	3
DES 272	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE I	3
DES 273	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE I	3
Theatrical Collaboration Sequence
DES 641	THEATRICAL COLLABORATION	3
DES 642	THEATRICAL COLLABORATION	3
Third Year
Scene Design Sequence II:
DES 341	SCENE DESIGN II	4
DES 342	SCENE DESIGN II	4
DES 343	SCENE DESIGN II	4
Survey Sequence:
THE 381	SURVEY OF THE ARTS FOR THEATRE	4
THE 382	SURVEY OF THE ARTS FOR THEATRE	4
Production Practice II: Select two of the following:		8
DES 371	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE II
DES 372	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE II
DES 373	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE II
Fourth Year
DES 486	PORTFOLIO PREPARATION	3
Scene Design Sequence III:
DES 441	SCENE DESIGN III	4
DES 442	SCENE DESIGN III	4
DES 443	SCENE DESIGN III	4
Design/Theatre Electives: Select in coordination with the area chair		12
Open Elective		4
Drawing Electives: Select in coordination with the area chair		9
Production Practice III and/or Internship: Select two of the following:		10
DES 471	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE III
DES 472	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE III
DES 473	DESIGN PRODUCTION PRACTICE III
DES 490	DESIGN INTERNSHIP