Major in Theatre, Set Design Concentration

Students in the B.A., 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 course work, students will first work as assistants and then step into leadership roles as designers as they travel through the program.

In addition to the overall CSU Theatre Program Learning Objectives, the Set Design Concentration includes the following unique learning objectives:

• 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 a synthesis of skills including design, drafting, modeling, painting, computer-assisted design, and application of emerging technologies.
• 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

Effective Fall 2022

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.