Theatrical Designer Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Theatrical Designer

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

Valencia College

Orlando, FL

In-State Tuition:$1,984
Out-of-State Tuition:$7,933
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:45%
Total Enrollment:43,370

Pace University

New York, NY

In-State Tuition:$48,152
Out-of-State Tuition:$48,152
Admission Rate:83%
Graduation Rate:61%
Total Enrollment:13,609

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

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Winston Salem, NC

In-State Tuition:$6,497
Out-of-State Tuition:$23,731
Admission Rate:32%
Graduation Rate:82%
Total Enrollment:1,104

Howard University

Washington, DC

In-State Tuition:$30,584
Out-of-State Tuition:$30,584
Admission Rate:53%
Graduation Rate:70%
Total Enrollment:12,886

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH

In-State Tuition:$10,656
Out-of-State Tuition:$25,990
Admission Rate:86%
Graduation Rate:72%
Total Enrollment:41,155
Theatrical 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 Theatrical Designer

Job Duties for Theatrical 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 Theatrical 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 Theatrical Designer

Top Related Careers to Theatrical Designer 2024

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Theatrical Designer

FAQs About Becoming a Theatrical Designer