Program Overview

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Scenic Design

Follow your passion and learn the art of theatrical storytelling through theatre design and production.

Scenic designers possess the ability to transport audiences and enhance theatrical performance visually through creative and evocative set design. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design and Production – Scenic Design gives you the opportunity to work in multiple venues, to express your work in a variety of media and technology and to create fully-realized designs.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design and Production allows students to specialize in one of six emphases:

• Scenic Design
• Lighting Design
• Costume Design
• Stage Management
• Technical Production
• Sound Design & Reinforcement

Theatre Design & Production Program

In the Theatre Design & Production program at Shenandoah University, students work with the equipment and resources found in major performing arts centers around the nation.

Theatre Design & Production Certificate: Scenic Design

The Theatre Design and Production program at Shenandoah Conservatory offers five TDP certificates, which replace the former “second emphasis” and are available to students both within and outside of the TDP program.

These certificates consist of 12 credits in specific courses, and may be earned in scenic design, lighting design, costume design, stage management, and technical production. For TDP students, the certificate is a chance to study in a secondary technical theatre area; for nonmajors, it is an opportunity to explore the world of theatre design and production.

The scenic design certificate offers you the opportunity to serve as the assistant scenic designer on a Theatre Division production as well as take specialized classes in stage properties, CAD, and production collaboration. These skills will enhance your professional theatre resume, making you more marketable in today’s professional entertainment industry.

Classes

• THDP 221 Properties (prereq THDP 150, THLB 112)
• THDP 390 Practicum – Assistant Scenic Designer assignment (prereq THDP 131, 150, 190)
• THDP 490 Production Collaboration (prereq THDP 220, 230, 240)
• THDP 351 CAD for the Stage (depending on primary emphasis) (prereq THDP 251)

Minor in Music, Theatre, Dance or Music Composition

Shenandoah Conservatory offers minors in Music, Theatre or Dance for all Shenandoah University students.

Shenandoah also offers a new minor in Music Composition for conservatory students who wish to build composition skills and enhance their creative music-making experience while pursuing other degree programs in the conservatory.

Acceptance into conservatory minors must be approved by the Division/Department Chair, and some minors require an audition.

Declaring a Minor

Shenandoah students work with their Academic Advisor to declare a minor. Academic Advisors will continue to work with students to ensure that they fulfill all of the requirements to complete the minor.

Incoming students should not indicate their intended minor on their Shenandoah application; applications are for intended majors only.

Internship Possibilities

The Career & Professional Development staff helps Shenandoah students search and apply for internships related to their major and career goals. Internships differentiate you as an applicant in your future job searches, provide hands-on experience in your field, allow you to sample different career paths for your major, and help you find a specific position that fits your passion before graduation.

Career Possibilities

Shenandoah’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design and Production is a pre-professional training program that prepares you for entry into the industry or to pursue a graduate degree. The degree prepares you to work professionally in both design and technical positions in professional and educational theatre, cruise ships, theme parks, sales and production companies, creative display design, historical renovation, museum installation, mural and faux finishers, and industrial design and production.

Classes

Our small class sizes allow for one-on-one, hands-on mentoring. Over the course of your four years in the program, you will gain actual experience in a type of major production responsibility within your emphasis, including multiple chances to work with professional artists in seeing productions through from start to finish.

First-Second Years

First-year Theatre Design and Production students experience the beginning curriculum sequence, with Introduction to Theatrical Design, Introduction to Theatrical Production, Theatre Drawing, and Graphic Arts. In the second year of the program you will begin instruction in skills such as model building, computer drafting and rendering, scenic painting, and properties design and construction. You will also begin to build your portfolio. Your production assignments will increase as you gain the skill set to head various crew areas.

Third-Fourth Years

In your third and fourth years of the program you will begin advanced studies in scenic design, including courses such as Advanced Scene Design, History of Architecture and Decor, Advanced Stagecraft and Costume and Lighting Design. Your practical production experience will cover a variety of theatrical spaces. In the third year you may begin assisting in either our flexible black box or on a main stage production in our proscenium theatre. You may also be assigned as a scenic designer within our studio space. By the fourth year you are working on two capstone projects. After faculty evaluation during your final year you will be assigned two capstone projects In Professional Preparation for Design and Production, you will build a website, learn to write cover letters, and create your resume as you build your portfolio.

Unique Opportunity

As host to Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (SSMT), our summer professional theatre company, we offer unique opportunities to our students. You can apply to work as a part of our production team in many different positions. Many alumni have returned to work for SSMT in a variety of roles. You will have the chance to network with young professionals from all over the country.

You Will Learn:

• How to create and develop a resume and a website portfolio to showcase your individual design and production work
• Analysis and problem solving skills
• The historical and cultural context needed to analyze dramatic literature and its performance and production
• The technical savvy and skills needed to communicate artistically, including theatrical rendering, construction techniques, computer skills, how to manage a budget, and craft and collaboration skills

Performance Opportunities & Ensembles

Shenandoah Conservatory produces more than 300 performances each year. Enroll in a dynamic curriculum and start preparing for a meaningful career in the arts. You will practice your craft in front of audiences and develop a plan for your professional launch into the industry that focuses on your personal desires and aspirations.

Meet the Faculty

Experience the world-renowned Shenandoah Conservatory. Study with master teachers – more than 100 professionals in music, theatre, dance and arts management.

Related Programs

Students interested in this program should also look into these other majors, graduate degrees, minors, and certificates.

These minors complement this program well:

• Film Studies
• Business Administration
• Entrepreneurship
• Theatre
• Dance
• Music

Most students in this program choose to continue their education by earning a graduate degree:

• Performing Arts Leadership and Management

Application & Audition Information

Shenandoah University works on rolling admissions. Applications are reviewed individually and holistically.

Submit your application, review required admissions materials, and find our admissions standards.

Study Abroad

Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks, you will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.

Fast-Track to Arts Management

Accelerated PALM Program

The Master of Science in Performing Arts Leadership and Management is designed to provide future performing arts executives and artistic leaders with the industry skills required in the 21st century. The accelerated program in Performing Arts Leadership and Management is available for current Shenandoah Conservatory undergraduates who, upon completion of their undergraduate degree, wish to obtain a Master of Science in Performing Arts Leadership and Management in just one year. Students who are accepted into the accelerated program will begin to take arts leadership and management courses during their undergraduate studies and register for internship during the summer between senior year and their final year of graduate study.