Theatre Design and Technology • Purchase College

Design your future.

Emphasizing studio and classroom training, our professional training program in theatre design/technology gives students the guidance and support of established and theatre industry professionals.

Many of our alumni are recognized at the top of their field, and have received Tony, Emmy, Obie, and Drama Desk Awards, among other honors. Quite literally, Purchase grads are working in or have worked in every theatre on Broadway, in all tristate venues, and with countless touring productions.

After the common freshman-year curriculum, the following concentrations are available:

Scenic Design

The scenic designer’s primary responsibility is to develop conceptual and artistic ideas that will be used to guide the design of the scenic elements of a production.

Sound Design

The sound designer is responsible for working in creating sound for productions using knowledge from music technology, composition, acoustics and live sound reinforcement. Students will work closely with faculty from other majors of the college, including Studio Production, Studio Composition, and New Media.

Costume Design

The costume designer’s primary responsibility is to develop conceptual and artistic ideas that will be used to guide the design of the costumes for a production.

Lighting Design

The lighting designer’s primary responsibility is to develop conceptual and artistic ideas that will be used to guide the design of the lighting for a production.

Costume Technology

The costume technician’s primary responsibility is to take the costume designer’s vision and physically create it.

Stage Management

The stage manager is responsible for managing the rehearsal process of a production and acting as the liaison between the rehearsal process and the members of the production team.

Technical Direction/Production Management

The technical director, working collaboratively with the scenic designer and others, is responsible for the execution of the scenic elements of a production.

Students have full access to the exceptional technical and design resources of the Performing Arts Center (PAC), gaining professional experience through active involvement in the PAC’s extensive schedule of dance, musical, and dramatic productions.

Classes are conducted in modern design studios, where students have their own work space and personal drawing tables. Private and semiprivate design studios are often provided for juniors and seniors.

The state-of-the-art CMFT—Center for Media, Film, and Theatre—offers students a black box style theatre and shop spaces.

Purchase students frequently pursue apprenticeships in studios and shops in New York City and beyond, providing rich industry experience and the opportunity to build a network of professional contacts.