Theatre Design and Production Major
Get experience building productions, while building your future
From set design to costuming, makeup, sound and lighting – our theatre design and production majors learn every aspect of theatre production – building entire worlds from the ground up.
Starting from day one, you’ll have the chance to put your skills to use by working on mainstage productions. Our amazing facilities boast not only multiple performance spaces, but also a light lab, fully equipped scenic and costume studios, a graphics room, a computer lab, makeup rooms, a greenroom, and a workshop space featuring all of the tools and equipment you’ll need to bring your creative vision to life.
Your training will be hands-on and heavily focused on portfolio development. In our tight-knit department, you’ll find that faculty become mentors – working to connect you with professional opportunities to launch your career.
Accredited
Our department is accredited through the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). This accreditation indicates an ability to provide a base of academic strength and operational integrity.
of UNI graduates
are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.
performance opportunities
each year. This includes four mainstage productions and several smaller productions throughout the year.
Find out More about Theatre: Design and Production
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Contact us directly at:
Department of Theatre
University of Northern Iowa
257 W 27th St
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0423
Phone: 319-273-6386
Email: William.Hickman@uni.edu
Careers
Common career areas for graduates of this program include:
- Technical direction
- Stage management
- Costume design and fabrication
- Education (K-12 and higher ed)
- Scenic design
- Architectural lighting
Course Sampling
Topics in Theatre
Advanced topics in design and production involving research and experiential investigation into production techniques. Rotating topics may include period styles for theatre, advanced problems in theatre: make-up, costume, scenery, lighting or sound production. Additional topics may be offered depending on pedagogical and/or production needs
Scenic Painting
Project work in scenic painting focusing on basic theatrical painting techniques.
Theatrical Make-up
Project work in makeup for the theatre focusing on universal techniques for many different types of productions.
Creating Connections
Our student to faculty ratio and mentorship-focused teaching allows faculty and staff members to create meaningful and lasting relationships with our students that are both personal and professional. This allows for our mentoring to continue on after the students’ graduation. Alumni frequently return to participate in departmental productions and events. We foster cohorts of students that create lifelong connections and friendships that enhance our network of alumni.
Hear from a student – Lydia Burg
“After graduation, I plan to work in the field of theatre as either a costumer or a crafts artisan. TheatreUNI has helped me learn new skills and explore my possibilities. I love learning by doing, and working with my hands, and I’ve had the chance to do that here in the department. One of the highlights of my college experience so far was when a costume I worked on in my stagecraft class was worn by an actor during a show. It’s so fun to see your work on stage!”
– Theatre Design and Production student Lydia Burg