In Short
Our program prepares students to work in professional theater and performance venues by offering hands-on classes and real world experience.
- Learn practical skills in various aspects of backstage work
- Work on department productions twice a year
- Participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
- Collaborate on sets and props for student films
Set Designs through the Years
Program Overview
Technical Theater is the perfect concentration for someone seeking a steady and artistic career in live performance. We prepare students to be craftspeople and teach them the latest equipment and software related to their field of interest. Our program offers hands-on courses that give students a range of skill sets in stage management, costume design, sound design, set construction, set design, and lighting design.
The Communications Media Department produces two theatrical productions each year in which technical theater students serve as the primary crew members. Students construct the sets, create the sound design, stage manage, and operate the light and sound boards. Our faculty and staff hold students to a professional standard during productions and teach them to be confident in operating equipment and calling a show. During their senior year students have the opportunity to gain even more real world experience by interning at a professional performance venue or company.
See the slideshow below to get a sense of our hands-on classes.
Regionally our technical theater students have stood out for their skill and artistry. They have repeatedly excelled at Region 1 of the Kennedy Center American College Festival. In 2025 our students received merit awards in Region 1 for Sound Design (Kenzie Harris), Costume Design (Alyssa Brayley), and Stage Management (Viv Warren) for their work on the production of “American Underground” by Brent Askari.
Theatrical productions and live performances have become increasingly more elaborate, leading to a greater demand for skilled backstage professionals. Our alumni have gone on to work on productions in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, and on touring shows. Recently two of our alumni were recognized for their exceptional work. Alumnus Dan Daly ‘09 created an original show “The Arborlogues” that received a glowing review in The New York Times. Alumna Aurelia Lyman ‘16 was highlighted in the Sentinel & Enterprise for her work as assistant carpenter on a touring production of “THE WIZ.”
I’m a really big hands-on learner and with Technical Theater there are so many different things to work on and do like building sets for the shows or making/finding costume pieces or props.
Experiential Opportunities and a Look Inside the Courses
Upcoming Productions
Productions and Classes
The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
Internships
Curriculum and Other Information
- BS, Technical Theater Concentration, Communications Media - Program information from the University Catalog.
- Four-Year Plan of Study - Required and elective courses for program completion.
B.S. in Communications Media
- Students should demonstrate proficiency in the core tools and skills of their discipline.
- Students should be able to apply aesthetic principles to their work by developing and defending a portfolio that demonstrates craftship and meets professional standards for their discipline.
- Students should be able to explain how their work fits in the historical and theoretical context of their discipline.
- Students should apply core theoretical principles to the analysis and critique of media.
- Students should recognize and apply ethical perspectives to their work.
- Technical Director
- Venue Manager
- Event Manager
- Lighting Designer
- Lighting Technician
- Sound Designer
- Scenic Designer
- Set Carpenter
- Costumer
- Props Master
- Make-up Artist
- Stagehand