Theatre Design for High School Students

Spend your summer getting experience in many aspects of theatre design—including costume, set, lighting, and sound design. You will be immersed in your art and should expect each year to bring a unique experience shaped by the instructors and guest artists involved.

This is your opportunity to get specialized experience in multiple areas of theatre design. While the primary areas of focus are lighting design and costume design, this experience deepens your skills in both areas while exploring design fundamentals that apply to all disciplines—including color theory, drafting as a communication tool, how to build and deliver a design presentation, portfolio exploration, and more.

You'll also benefit from guest artists who share insights from their work in professional theatre—often in areas such as audio, lighting, set, stage management, and costume design. You’ll explore a variety of techniques—such as script analysis, character analysis, dramaturgical research, emotional response imagery, visual metaphor imagery, and first draft renderings—to understand how they impact intentional design thinking in the theatre. 

During this program you will leave having created several high quality portfolio ready pieces, appropriate for application to Interlochen Arts Academy or even college.

What You'll Learn

During your time at arts camp, you will work under the supervision of professional faculty and staff, and alongside students from around the world who share your passion for theatre. You will have the opportunity to concentrate on your primary area of interest, while developing a variety of other design skills.

As a Theatre Design student, you may learn:

• Perspective drawing
• Beginning drafting as a tool for communication in theater arts
• Costume design and rendering
• Lighting design fundamentals
• Practical design experience supporting one of our 3-week musical theatre productions in the Harvey Theatre

Program Specialties

At Interlochen you'll get a well-rounded view of the behind-the-scenes theatre-making process. Focus areas and specialties may include but are not limited to:

• Lighting design
• Set design
• Costume design
• Sound design and engineering
• Stage management

Portfolio Requirements

Apply