The Theatre School's Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Scene Design gives students the opportunity to explore and expand their artistic vision while gaining hands-on professional experience. Students learn to visualize and create the physical world of theatrical productions by collaborating with directors, dramaturgs, costume and lighting designers, technicians, and our professional scene shop staff. Throughout the program, they develop a strong foundation in design theory, scene composition, color psychology, architectural principles, script analysis, costume collaboration, lighting, and time management—building the creative, technical, and collaborative skills needed for successful careers in theatre, film, television, themed entertainment, and beyond.
A BFA in Scene Design prepares students for creative careers across the entertainment industry. Our graduates design for regional theatres, opera companies, theatre for young audiences, immersive and experiential productions, themed entertainment, television and film, special events, fabrication studios, and properties design, while many also build successful freelance careers.
Through comprehensive training in digital and traditional media, drafting and rendering, model building, scenic art, project management, and properties design, students graduate with the versatile skills needed to thrive in scenic design studios and a wide range of professional design environments.
See below for recent examples of where are alumni are designing!
Scenic design concept for "Wrinkle in Time"
Scenic design concept by Lindsay Mummert
A look at the stage and scenery from a production of "A Dybbuk" in the Watts
scenic design by Steven Abbott
"Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom"
scenic design by Trent Jones
Scale model tree design for "Sleepy Hollow"
Scenic design by Lindsay Mummert
"Water by the Spoonful"
Scenic design by Lindsay Mummert
View of the paint shop at The Theatre School, facing toward Racine Avenue.
The paint shop is located directed next to the scene shop in The Theatre School.
A Theatre School student works in the model studio.
Process model for the set of "The Rover"; scenic design by Tara Huffman
View from the audience of a scene from "The Rover"
Scenic design by Tara Huffman
A look at the stage and scenery of "She Kills Monsters" in the Watts Theatre
Scenic design by Ashley Wang
"Wrinkle in Time" paint elevation and initial model
designed by Lindsay Mummert
BFA Scene Design Curriculum
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
Production Design Concentration
Scene Design students also have the option of adding a Production Design Concentration, which is a collaboration with the School for Cinematic Arts (SCA) at DePaul. The concentration builds on the traditional curriculum for the Scene Design major and adds 6 classes from SCA, which can either be added onto the full curriculum, or can be substituted for the required design electives. Students may start the concentration sequence in the second year.
Liberal Studies
In addition to the major's requirements, students complete 52 quarterly credit hours (13 courses) in the university's Liberal Studies Program. Courses are taken in theatre history, writing, quantitative reasoning and technological literacy, philosophical inquiry, religious dimensions, scientific inquiry, understanding the past, multiculturalism in the United States, and electives. These liberal studies courses are scheduled during the first three years of the program.
Alumni Accomplishments
Nora Brooks - Class of 2025
Raquel Dwight - Class of 2025
Devin Meseke - Class of 2025
Shokie Tseumah - Class of 2024
Jamie Auer - Class of 2023
Caitlyn Girten - Class of 2023
Trent Jones - Class of 2021
Steven Abbott - Class of 2020
Lindsay Mummert - Class of 2020
Featured Faculty and Staff
Students learn from a distinguished award-winning faculty of professional designers and artists, both in the classroom and through individual guidance and advising during production work. Students receive formal and informal feedback from faculty through portfolio presentations and exhibits of their work each year.