Every production begins long before the curtain rises. Within the department's production and design spaces, students transform ideas into scenery, costumes, props, and theatrical environments through hands-on collaboration, craftsmanship, and creative problem-solving. These spaces function as active classrooms where design concepts become realized productions and students gain practical experience alongside faculty, staff, and guest artists.

From the first sketch to opening night, our production facilities support every stage of the creative process, preparing students with the artistic, technical, and collaborative skills needed for careers in theatre, dance, entertainment, education, and related creative industries.

Theatre Shop

A Place for Building

The Theatre Shop is the department's primary scenic construction laboratory where students learn the art and craft of technical theatre. Working under the guidance of professional staff and faculty, students construct scenery, fabricate props, paint scenic elements, and develop the practical skills required to support productions at Kennedy Theatre and the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre.

The shop provides hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, construction methods, safety practices, and collaborative production workflows, allowing students to see classroom concepts come to life through production.

Students gain experience in:

• Scenic Construction
• Scenic Painting
• Prop Fabrication
• Stagecraft
• Technical Production
• Shop Safety
• Production Collaboration

Costume Shop

A Place for Craftsmanship

The Costume Shop serves as a creative studio where costumes are designed, constructed, altered, and maintained for departmental productions. Students develop skills in costume construction, draping, patternmaking, fittings, costume crafts, wardrobe management, and textile techniques while collaborating closely with costume designers and production teams.

Working on productions throughout the academic year, students gain valuable experience that connects artistic design with practical execution while learning the craftsmanship that brings characters to life.

Students gain experience in:

• Costume Construction
• Patternmaking
• Alterations
• Costume Crafts
• Wardrobe Management
• Fittings
• Textile Techniques

Costume Collection & Storage

A Living Resource

The department's extensive costume collection supports productions, classroom instruction, and design research throughout the academic year. Housing garments from a wide range of historical periods, cultures, and production styles, the collection provides students with opportunities to study costume history, garment construction, and theatrical design while serving as a valuable resource for performance and scholarship.

The collection continues to grow through departmental productions and donations, preserving the artistic legacy of Kennedy Theatre while supporting future generations of artists.

Learning Through Production

One of the defining characteristics of the Department of Theatre & Dance is its commitment to experiential learning. Students don't simply study production—they participate in it. Whether constructing scenery, creating costumes, assisting designers, managing productions, or collaborating with performers, students gain practical experience that bridges the classroom and the professional world. These production and design spaces are where creativity, craftsmanship, and collaboration come together to bring every performance to life.