Introduction

UC Irvine provides a challenging and creative environment for the curious and resourceful design student.  We believe a strong foundation in design for the theatre and the opportunity to explore digital tools will develop unique and thoughtful artistic collaborators.  With a UC Irvine education, the designer will be exceptionally well-suited to a career in the theatre and related entertainment arts.

We are committed to professional training that respects our theatrical heritage, embraces contemporary practices, and prepares students for an exciting new century of change.

At UC Irvine, this training requires specialization in scenery design, costume design, lighting design, or sound design. While expertise in a single emphasis is expected, together they are treated as parts of an integrated theatre aesthetic; therefore, a solid working knowledge of basic principles and procedures combined with important historical and literary concepts is at the heart of the curriculum.

The interdisciplinary organization of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts provides design opportunities in music theatre, opera, dance, video and performance art, as well as in drama. Emphasis is placed on production development through collaboration.

As a professional training program, equal attention is given to the art, technology, aesthetics, and pragmatics of creative theatre. Instruction is focused toward the growth of each student’s ability and skills during weekly tutorials and critiques.

While mastery of traditional skills is emphasized, we provide scenery, costume, and lighting design students with a graceful transition into the new century through dedicated coursework in digital media. With training on high-end computers using a wide variety of CAD, 3-D modeling, and image manipulation software, visual design students are well prepared for the performance careers of the twenty-first century.

The sound design program also emphasizes core skills, both of theatre and of sound, and sound design students will work almost entirely using digital tools, including powerful computers, recording facilities, and dedicated studio/lab space.  With this training, sound design students will be equipped with the ability to take on audio design challenges across the entertainment industry.

Design students will work on a minimum of five realized projects in at least three different theatrical spaces over the course of their residency. The resident professional faculty critiques each design project, and for the thesis project, guest professionals supplement the faculty evaluation.

Nonresident tuition fellowships are awarded to a limited number of entering students. Assistantships are awarded to most design students for the duration of their study. Applicants are also encouraged to apply for assistance based on financial need through the Office of Financial Aid.

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