About The Production & Design Conservatory

The Production & Design Conservatory offers students the opportunity to study the methods and materials used in the live entertainment industry. For every performer onstage, there are several artists working behind the scenes. Under the direction of industry professionals, students in the Production & Design Conservatory are transformed into these behind-the-scenes artists, taking courses in scenery, costumes, makeup, lighting, audio, props, stage management, projection, script analysis, and theatre history. Production & Design faculty members are committed to developing well-rounded theatre artists, who understand both the practical and the theoretical aspects of the process of design, as well as construction and implementation. These learning goals are accomplished through the conservatory’s extensive course curriculum, laboratory experiences, and production assignments. Upon application to the conservatory, students select one of three tracks of study within the Production & Design Conservatory: Scenic and Lighting, Costumes and Makeup, or Theatre Technologies. Click here to learn more about these tracks.

Student Experience

The Production & Design Conservatory provides a hands-on, active learning environment where students are exposed to all disciplines of technical theatre through a variety of course pathways, including reading and interpreting a script, scenic design and construction, stage management, audio, lighting, drafting, costumes and makeup, digital media, and props. Students learn how to research, design, engineer, build, and install design elements in each of the conservatory's major disciplines. Production & Design students also learn to use the tools and equipment that are standard within the production entertainment industry, including shop hand and power tools, sewing machines, audio consoles, microphones, lighting consoles, lighting instruments, and theatrical rigging systems. The conservatory’s unique educational opportunities allow Production & Design students to discover new and untapped talents and passions. Seniors have agency in their education through a senior electives program, featuring class options such as Scenic Painting 2, Intelligent Lighting & Programming, Wigs & Prosthetics, Sound Design, Metal & Advanced Woodworking, Production Management, Fashion History, and Projection Design.

  • “I have learned innumerable skills from Production & Design. Not only have I learned how the magic of theatre works, but also how to work efficiently and effectively with others, the value of sharing a common goal, and the ability to communicate with differing personalities.”
    Jenny Austin – Class of 2021
  • “The Production & Design Conservatory has taught me the many responsibilities of working behind-the-scenes, including stage management, set design, lighting, costuming, hand drafting, and much more. The experience I have gained with friends, mentors, guest speakers, and field trips has given me the motivation to pursue being a stage manager or production manager in the future.”
    Mireya Robles – Class of 2019
  • “Production & Design has strengthened my math and science skills, as well as taught me time management, people skills, and professionalism. I feel that I am being set up to have success not only in the backstage world, but in whatever career my future holds.”
    Rett Longson – Class of 2021

Preparing Students for the Future

The Production & Design Conservatory prepares students for success in whatever future they imagine. Many students are admitted into prestigious college and university production and design programs throughout the country. If a student wishes to immediately enter the professional workforce, the Production & Design Conservatory also prepares students for careers in a variety of fields, including live entertainment, event management, architecture, interior design, product design, architectural lighting design, fashion, hotel management, theme park management, and construction. Regardless of the path Production & Design students choose to follow upon graduating, the conservatory helps students enter the real world with strong communication, collaboration, leadership, problem solving, conflict management, and time management skills.