Design & Production Core Curriculum

In Theatre Design & Production, students learn the foundational skills needed to pursue a career as a theatre designer or technician. You'll get hands-on experience in all aspects of theatre production including set design, lighting design, sound effects, theatre acoustics, scene painting, property management, stage management, makeup design, and costume design.

For information on graduation requirements and academic curriculum, please visit Academy Academics.

Required Courses: Theatre Design & Production Majors

This course is the first part of a two-course progression that serves as an introduction to the discipline

of costume design. Students will focus on the fundamentals of costume design including costume and

fashion history, elements and principles of design, the design process, dramatic script analysis, and the

creation of a design statement, designer drawings, renderings, and other collaborative

Communications.

This course is an introduction to the artistic self. Students develop and access a deeper understanding of who they are as human beings, as artists, as teachers, and community members. The weekly topics of discussion include personal wellness, time management, physical preparedness, artistic freedom, and relevant technical theatre topics.

In Fundamentals of Design, students learn the skills required to research, analyze, and communicate theatrical design ideas in sets, lights and costumes. Students gain experience in the basic graphic techniques used by design professionals including freehand sketching, thumbnail drawing, figure drawing, watercolor painting, drafting in scale, and mechanical perspective drawing. Students study design process and objectives, as well as collaboration, along with contemporary design and designers.

This course introduces and explores present theory and application of two-dimensional and three-dimensional makeup for the stage. This course is structured as a lecture/demonstration and lab employing the principles of stage makeup, the variety of materials available, and the application of these materials. The course is designed to help the student (both actor and makeup artist) build a working knowledge of broad-based application procedures, materials and techniques, and the principles of characterization allowing for the development, planning, and execution of character-based makeup designs.

This course is an introduction to theatrical stage management. Students develop and access an empathetic approach to stage management and communication, focusing primarily on the techniques of interpersonal communication (written and verbal), collaboration, organization, and production. Students explore script analysis, document design, rehearsals, and all technical aspects of production. The approach to stage management as defined in this course will serve as the foundation from which to manage any style of live performance production.

Theatre Company serves as the primary "lab course" for the Academy Theatre Arts division, allowing students to utilize the skills they are developing in their other theatre curricular offerings. Theatre students actively participate in all facets of preparing a wide range of productions to be presented to audiences of the school community as well as the general public.

Interlochen Theatre students are encouraged to take classes in both performance and technical theatre to enhance your total understanding and experience of the dramatic art.

Sample Theatre Design & Production Curriculum for a Four-Year Student

Semester I

Required Courses
Theatre Company: Production Assignment / THA051-052
Design & Production Studio: Critical Responses / THA055-056
Theatre History / THA303
Fundamentals of Design: The Design Process / THA309
Stage Management / THA317

Sample Academic Courses
Algebra I; Biology; English I; French I

Semester II

Required Courses
Theatre Company: Production Assignment / THA051-052
Design & Production Studio: Stress Management / THA055-056
Fundamentals of Design: Collaboration / THA310
Makeup Design / THA311

Elective Courses
Drawing and Painting Intensive / VA211-212

Sample Academic Courses
Algebra I; Biology; English I; French I

Semester III

Required Courses
Theatre Company: Production Assignment / THA051-052
Design & Production Studio: Basic Stage Construction / THA055-056
Fundamentals of Design: Set Design, Drafting / THA309
Stage Management / THA317

Sample Academic Courses
Geometry; World History; English II; French II

Semester IV

Required Courses
Theatre Company: Production Assignment / THA051-052
Design & Production Studio: Model Studio / THA055-056
Theatre History II / THA304
Fundamentals of Design: Set Design, Model Building / THA310
Makeup Design / THA311

Sample Academic Courses
Geometry; World History; English II; French II

Semester V

Required Courses
Theatre Company: Production Assignment / THA051-052
Design & Production Studio: Digital Portfolio, Brand Creation, and Presentation / THA055-056
Fundamentals of Design: The Design Process / THA309
Stage Management / THA317

Elective Courses
Story (Film and New Media) / FIL101

Sample Academic Courses
Algebra II; U.S. History; English III; Chemistry

Semester VI

Required Courses
Theatre Company: Production Assignment / THA051-052
Design & Production Studio: Interview Prep / THA055-056
Fundamentals of Design: Collaboration / THA310
Makeup Design / THA311-312

Sample Academic Courses
Algebra II; U.S. History; English III; Chemistry

Semester VII

Required Courses
Theatre Company: Production Assignment / THA051-052
Design & Production Studio: Prosthetics and Mask Making / THA055-056
Fundamentals of Design: Lighting Design / THA309
Stage Management / THA317

Elective Courses
Sound Design for Theatre

Sample Academic Courses
Precalculus; Ecology; English IV

Semester VIII

Required Courses
Theatre Company: Production Assignment / THA051-052
Design & Production Studio / THA055-056
Acting Foundations / THA101-102
Fundamentals of Design: Costume Design / THA310
Makeup Design / THA311-312