Undergraduate Theatre Sequence in Design and Production

The School of Theatre's design and production sequence at Illinois State University offers exciting opportunities for hands-on application of classroom learning. The program combines extensive classroom training with the opportunity for realized design work within our MainStage production season.

A seven-member faculty offers basic and advanced courses in costume, lighting, set, and sound design, as well as courses in stagecraft, costume construction, costume history, make-up, and stage management. Scene painting, prop construction, welding, computer graphics, and other specialized courses are also offered on a regular basis.

Students may become immediately involved in the School of Theatre production program by serving on running crews and/or construction crews. The Design Faculty conducts interviews in the spring semester in order to make production assignments for the following season. Second-year students regularly serve in positions of responsibility assisting faculty and graduate designers. Students in their junior and senior years are encouraged to take on the challenges of lead positions. Qualified students may work as technical directors, master electricians, head carpenters, stage managers, props artisans, costume designers, lighting designers, scenic designers, and sound designers. For more information about program requirements and course descriptions, please review the Undergraduate Catalog (pdf).

The School of Theatre Advantage:

Production opportunities in arena, thrust, and proscenium theatre spaces, including the Center for the Performing Arts, a new state-of-the-art theatre facility.
Use of a dedicated computer lab with the latest in design software.
Applied computer technology classes in sound, set, costume, and lighting design.
Individualized supervision of production assignments by faculty advisors.
Professional internships and job opportunities with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.
Association with the United States Institute of Theatre Technology.

Admission to the Undergraduate Design/Production Sequence

Prospective freshmen and transfer students must participate in a portfolio review and interview for admittance to the Design/Production Sequence. Students applying for admission to the Design/Production Sequence are automatically considered for scholarship support and do not need to participate in an additional scholarship interview. To arrange a portfolio review and interview, complete the School of Theatre Application Form and any additional required materials and send to the School of Theatre. You will receive confirmation of your portfolio review date by e-mail or letter. For Portfolio Review Guidelines and information on scholarship requirements, visit Audition, Portfolio Review, & Scholarship Interview Guidelines.

For Audition, Portfolio Review, and Scholarship Interview dates, go to Admissions.

Notification

Within two weeks of your portfolio review, you will be notified about your status. You will be accepted into the Design/Production Sequence, not accepted, or placed under consideration with a decision to be made following the final School of Theatre on-campus Portfolio Review. Any student not accepted into the Design/Production Sequence but already admitted to Illinois State University is eligible to enroll as a Theatre major in the Theatre Studies Sequence. Students are eligible to reapply for the Design/Production Sequence at a later date.