How to Become a Theatrical Designer
Theatrical productions require designers in nearly every area of technical theater, including scenery, lighting, costumes and sound. To perform any of these jobs, you should understand the technical aspects of fulfilling the designs, including a basic understanding of scenery construction, lighting equipment or costume construction. Most undergraduate theater education programs include cross-training in a variety of technical areas to give students an understanding of the production as a whole. If you choose not to major in technical theater in college, you can still gain this cross-training through hands-on experience.
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Instructions
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Take drafting and drawing courses through a college or high school program or independent art or design school. Scenery and lighting design both require drafting skills, as do some sound design projects, as these may require drafting speaker and microphone placement onto a set drawing. Gaining both computer and hand-drafting skills will increase your employment opportunities as a designer. Scenic and costume design require drawing abilities. You do not have to excel as an artist, but you must communicate your designs visually to the production team.
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Take any theatrical college courses available in your area of interest. At many community colleges, you do not have to enroll as a full-time student to take these courses. The courses will teach you how to analyze a play script and communicate ideas to a production team, and how to create the types of drawings needed to take a design from concept through execution. The best route to a theatrical design career is a bachelor of arts in technical theater or theatrical production (titles vary by school).
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Intern with a professional theater as part of your college training. This real-life experience will put you in contact with professional designers and teach you how to function in professional situations.
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Volunteer with local theater groups to gain hands-on experience. You may end up getting paid a small stipend once you have a few designs to show off your skills. Offer to design for nonprofit group events, community theater performances, corporate special events and weddings. Take pictures of your work with a good quality camera (digital is fine), and keep a current portfolio.
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Check local listings on theatrical job boards (see Resources) and classified-ad job boards, and contact local theater companies to find out about any job openings. Use your portfolio to demonstrate your skills when applying for these jobs.
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Apply to a master of fine arts program in your chosen area of design. You will need your portfolio to help you do this. An MFA isn't necessary for work in theatrical design, but the program will improve your skills and introduce you to professionals in the field, which can lead to better-paying jobs.
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Keep your portfolio up to date, and use it to gain new jobs with increasing pay levels.
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References
Resources
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