Major in Theatre, Set Design Concentration

Students in the B.A. in Theatre, Set Design Concentration explore creative concepts of set design for theatre, musicals, opera, dance, and industry, as well as production design and art direction for film and television, on a theoretical level in the classroom and studio while reinforcing their training through practical application in main stage productions of music, theatre, and dance. In addition to their coursework, undergraduate students will first work as assistants and then step into leadership roles as designers as they travel through the program. 

Concentration-Level Learning Objectives:

In addition to four B.A. in Theatre Learning Objectives, the Set Design Concentration includes the following unique learning objectives:

1. SET DESIGN FOR THEATRE, FILM, and INDUSTRY: Explore incremental to advanced skills that set designers and craftspeople use to design and build sets and scenery for the stage, dance, film, or industry, including primary research, vocabulary and best practices, diverse aesthetic styles, and synthesis of skills including design, drafting, modeling, painting, computer-assisted design, and application of emerging technologies.
2. DESIGN ARTISTRY: Develop an understanding of the Set Designer as a collaborative artist, and creative visionary, by practicing organizational, craft, and creative skills to realize a show from concept to production and building a portfolio of creative design and/or technical work.

Set Design offers students several ways to express their creativity and artistry:

• Set designers for theatre, musicals, opera, or dance
• Set technicians and craftspeople for stage, dance, live productions, television, and film

Interview for Set Design:

In addition to applying to CSU through the Office of Admissions, a successful interview with CSU Theatre faculty is required to enter the Theatre Design and Technology Concentrations. Please visit the theatre website for interview information.

Current CSU Students: To change your major to theatre, you may call the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at (970) 491-5891 or email smtd@colostate.edu. Current CSU students must be accepted to the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance before contacting the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center. Please visit the theatre website for interview information.

Effective Fall 2023

Students in this concentration must satisfactorily undergo a portfolio review each spring, where their work will be celebrated and examined to provide guidance for goals for the following year. Concentration specific courses may not double-count in multiple Theatre concentrations.

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Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be Upper-Division (300- to 400-level). 

Students in this concentration must satisfactorily undergo a portfolio review each spring, where their work will be celebrated and examined to provide guidance for goals for the following year. Concentration specific courses may not double-count in multiple Theatre concentrations.