Stage Designer Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Stage Designer

Best Schools to become a Stage Designer in U.S. 2024

New York University

New York, NY

In-State Tuition:$55,384
Out-of-State Tuition:$55,384
Admission Rate:12%
Graduation Rate:87%
Total Enrollment:59,144

American Musical and Dramatic Academy

New York, NY

In-State Tuition:$43,960
Out-of-State Tuition:$43,960
Admission Rate:26%
Graduation Rate:70%
Total Enrollment:1,480

Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah, GA

In-State Tuition:$39,105
Out-of-State Tuition:$39,105
Admission Rate:82%
Graduation Rate:73%
Total Enrollment:16,414

Seminole State College of Florida

Sanford, FL

In-State Tuition:$2,393
Out-of-State Tuition:$9,494
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:43%
Total Enrollment:14,323

New York School of Interior Design

New York, NY

In-State Tuition:$34,500
Out-of-State Tuition:$34,500
Admission Rate:65%
Graduation Rate:90%
Total Enrollment:633

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX

In-State Tuition:$8,606
Out-of-State Tuition:$20,030
Admission Rate:88%
Graduation Rate:56%
Total Enrollment:38,171
Stage Designer Job Description:
  • Design special exhibits and sets for film, video, television, and theater productions.
  • May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Stage Designer

Job Duties for Stage Designers

  • Develop set designs, based on evaluation of scripts, budgets, research information, and available locations.

  • Prepare preliminary renderings of proposed exhibits, including detailed construction, layout, and material specifications, and diagrams relating to aspects such as special effects or lighting.

  • Prepare rough drafts and scale working drawings of sets, including floor plans, scenery, and properties to be constructed.

Technologies and Skills Used by Stage Designers

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk Revit
  • Trimble SketchUp Pro

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Video creation and editing software

  • Adobe After Effects
  • Autodesk 3ds Max

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Reading work related information

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Stage Designer

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Stage Designer

FAQs About Becoming a Stage Designer