The first-year curriculum is a collaborative experience shared with students in costume, wig and makeup, scenic, sound, and projection design. It serves as an immersive introduction to the culture of theatrical production and design. Students examine shared artistic principles and develop the ability to think metaphorically and abstractly, gaining an understanding of design as a unique aesthetic discipline within the arts. They also explore how design concepts are realized in live performance.  Lighting design students begin learning the technical foundations of their craft through courses in lighting technology, as well as hand and computer-aided drafting. They also start the lighting design course sequence and may have the opportunity to design their first production in a studio setting.

The year concludes with The Theatre School's Spring Exhibit, where first-, second-, and third-year students showcase the body of work they've created throughout the academic year.

In the second year, students deepen their engagement with the lighting design curriculum by exploring the vocabulary, history, and artistic foundations of the discipline. They develop creative design responses to dramatic texts while continuing to build their technical and conceptual skills.  Students typically serve as assistant lighting designers or production electricians on two productions, supporting upper-year designers, and take on one full lighting design assignment for a Studio Series or Elevated Studio production.  

The year concludes with The Theatre School’s Spring Exhibit, where first-, second-, and third-year students showcase the body of work they’ve created throughout the academic year.

In the third year, students refine their ability to analyze scripts and articulate their artistic vision, with a strong emphasis on the practical execution of design ideas. They collaborate closely with peers across all design disciplines to propose, develop, and justify cohesive design concepts, enhancing their skills in artistic communication and teamwork within a production environment.  Each student takes on a design role for a full production in the season, working in close partnership with the production team and technical staff to bring their vision to life.

The year concludes with The Theatre School's Spring Exhibit, where first-, second-, and third-year students showcase the body of work they've created throughout the academic year.

The fourth year serves as a transitional phase, focused on advancing students' artistic and technical abilities while preparing them for entry into the professional world. Coursework emphasizes larger-scale plays with complex design challenges, and students devote significant time to refining their professional portfolios in preparation for graduation.  Production work continues, with each student designing one final show in the season. In addition, students may complete a professional internship of their choosing or participate in the Study Abroad Program in collaboration with The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London (optional and additional cost).  

The year culminates with participation in the Michael Merritt Awards, where graduating students present their portfolios alongside peers from other institutions and established professional designers. With support from faculty, students curate and exhibit their work to an audience that includes artistic directors, alumni, and professionals from the theatre, film, and television industries.