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Production and Design
If your passion for theatre often shines behind the scenes, our Production and Design emphasis was made for you. You’ll study and practice theatre management, technical theatre, and design for the stage.
From calling the show to learning specialized makeup techniques, from circuiting theatrical lights to building scenery, you’ll develop a skill set that’s needed and desired in all forms of the entertainment and arts industries.
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Program Overview
Being a part of the Theatre Arts Department at Dordt University means more than just earning a degree. Through this program, you will become part of a community that shares the same passions that you have.
While you’ll take a number of theatre classes to help you develop a breadth and width of knowledge and experience, you’ll dig into the nuts and bolts of theatre through classes like Design Theory, Art History, Drawing, and Painting.
What You'll Learn
The Production and Design Emphasis focuses on helping you prepare for a career as producer, designer, stage manager, or other similar roles. Your coursework will give you the tools you need to bring excellence to the backstage work of any production you may be involved in.
What You Can Do With A Production and Design Emphasis
Upon graduation, you’ll have the skills and tools you need to jump into the theatre arts job market. The Production and Design major equips you to work as a producer, designer, technical director, events manager, and more.
Producer
Producers launch projects and oversee all aspects of the production.
Costume Designer
Costume Designers use their creative thinking skills to articulate pieces of clothes that are worn by characters in a production or performance.
Lighting Consultant
A Lighting Consultant is tasked with fitting lighting fixtures to both small and large spaces.
Career Preparation
Dordt University's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”
Students studying Production and Design must take the following courses:
- Theatre Arts Foundation: Theatre Arts 102, 365, 366, 371, 380, 386; three credits from Theatre Arts 120, 204, 207, 307; six credits from Theatre Arts 103, 113, 230, 231, 232; a minimum of seven credits from Theatre Arts 001; Philosophy 206.
- Art 201
- Theatre Arts 203
- Three credits from Theatre Arts 103, 113, 230, 231, 232
- Three credits from Art 202, 216, 225, 302, 316, 325, 352, 366, 375
- Three credits from theatre arts courses numbered 102 or higher, Art 342, Business Administration 270, Music 306
- Applied Crafts I: Stagecraft: An introduction to set construction, the materials used, and safe scene shop practices with hands-on application of learned techniques.
- Scenography I: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design: An introduction to the elements of design and color theory in the realms of scenic, lighting, sound, props, and costume design. Prerequisite: Theatre Arts 103.
- Applied Crafts II: Introduction to Stage Management: A focused study of the skills and mechanics necessary to contribute well to the production process as a stage manager with an emphasis on organization, leadership, and communication.
- Applied Crafts III: Lighting and Sound Technologies: A hands-on look at the programs and materials used to create successful lighting and sound designs for the stage.
- Applied Crafts IV: Costume and Make-up Studio: This studio-style course is an introduction to basic sewing and make-up application techniques, materials, and methods for theatrical use.
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Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Faculty Info
Theatre Arts Center
While studying production and design, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time in Dordt’s Theatre Arts Center. This location houses a theatre space, scene shop, make-up room, classroom, and the Fourth Avenue Theatre, a black box performance space which seats up to 140 audience members.
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Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
Empathy and Mystery
Aidan BenderDealing with the constant uncertainty of what he wanted to do with his future, Aidan was able to lean on Dordt professors and mentors to help him become more open-minded and flexible, eventually finding a place where he fit in.
Aidan Bender
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Creation and Collaboration
Kyle FosseWith Kyle's first time at Dordt also being his first time out of Africa, he took the opportunity to grow and ran with it, becoming heavily involved in extracurriculars and the community that Dordt had to offer.
Kyle Fosse
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