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Production and Design

If your passion for theatre often shines behind the scenes, our Production and Design emphasis was made for you. You’ll study and practice theatre management, technical theatre, and design for the stage.

From calling the show to learning specialized makeup techniques, from circuiting theatrical lights to building scenery, you’ll develop a skill set that’s needed and desired in all forms of the entertainment and arts industries.

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A full stage shot of Peter and the Starcatcher set with a group of actors

Program Overview

Being a part of the Theatre Arts Department at Dordt University means more than just earning a degree. Through this program, you will become part of a community that shares the same passions that you have.

While you’ll take a number of theatre classes to help you develop a breadth and width of knowledge and experience, you’ll dig into the nuts and bolts of theatre through classes like Design Theory, Art History, Drawing, and Painting.

Actors in Peter and the Starcatcher shine flashlights

What You'll Learn

The Production and Design Emphasis focuses on helping you prepare for a career as producer, designer, stage manager, or other similar roles. Your coursework will give you the tools you need to bring excellence to the backstage work of any production you may be involved in.

What You Can Do With A Production and Design Emphasis

Upon graduation, you’ll have the skills and tools you need to jump into the theatre arts job market. The Production and Design major equips you to work as a producer, designer, technical director, events manager, and more.

Producer

Producers launch projects and oversee all aspects of the production.

Costume Designer

Costume Designers use their creative thinking skills to articulate pieces of clothes that are worn by characters in a production or performance.

Lighting Consultant

A Lighting Consultant is tasked with fitting lighting fixtures to both small and large spaces.

Students studying Production and Design must take the following courses:

  • Theatre Arts Foundation: Theatre Arts 102, 365, 366, 371, 380, 386; three credits from Theatre Arts 120, 204, 207, 307; six credits from Theatre Arts 103, 113, 230, 231, 232; a minimum of seven credits from Theatre Arts 001; Philosophy 206.
  • Art 201
  • Theatre Arts 203
  • Three credits from Theatre Arts 103, 113, 230, 231, 232
  • Three credits from Art 202, 216, 225, 302, 316, 325, 352, 366, 375
  • Three credits from theatre arts courses numbered 102 or higher, Art 342, Business Administration 270, Music 306

  • Applied Crafts I: Stagecraft: An introduction to set construction, the materials used, and safe scene shop practices with hands-on application of learned techniques.
  • Scenography I: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design: An introduction to the elements of design and color theory in the realms of scenic, lighting, sound, props, and costume design. Prerequisite: Theatre Arts 103.
  • Applied Crafts II: Introduction to Stage Management: A focused study of the skills and mechanics necessary to contribute well to the production process as a stage manager with an emphasis on organization, leadership, and communication.
  • Applied Crafts III: Lighting and Sound Technologies: A hands-on look at the programs and materials used to create successful lighting and sound designs for the stage.
  • Applied Crafts IV: Costume and Make-up Studio: This studio-style course is an introduction to basic sewing and make-up application techniques, materials, and methods for theatrical use.

See the course catalog for more information.

Ready to take the next step?

Theatre Arts Center

While studying production and design, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time in Dordt’s Theatre Arts Center. This location houses a theatre space, scene shop, make-up room, classroom, and the Fourth Avenue Theatre, a black box performance space which seats up to 140 audience members.

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six female dancers line up while dancing during performance

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