Stage Design Props and Scenic Art

Stage, Set or Scenic Design is the art, craft and practice of designing and implementing theatrical 3-D environments for plays, opera, musical theatre, dance performance, live concert events, film, video and television productions and themed events and environments. Though similar in some ways to interior or architectural design, Stage Design goes beyond decoration to visually and environmentally support and thematically expand a script, screenplay or scenario by facilitating human interaction and/or choreography within the context of a theatrical event.

The student of Stage Design should work to develop his or her artistic talent in the visual and decorative arts; exercise the imagination to create dramatic space, imagery and effects; acquire a broad-based knowledge of theatre arts and technical production; become very observant; practice drawing, painting, rendering, model-making, drafting and research; and develop a strong interest in the spoken or lyric theatre.

The study of mankind and his surroundings – past, present and future – is of ongoing importance for a familiarity of periods and styles and for a strong sense of history. The focus of theatre throughout history is the human condition, and the stage designer creates the visual 'world' – realistic, suggestive or abstract – in which to dramatize this, whether a serious play, an entertaining musical or a dramatic opera. Professional stage designers have various training backgrounds but essentially share all these characteristics.

CCM is well-prepared to train the student set designer in these requirements. Post graduation career opportunities include stage design for plays, musicals, opera, dance, video and film, exhibitions and displays, themed attractions, environments and special events.

One of the only programs of its kind in the nation, CCM’s MFA in Stage Properties provides professional training for talented and motivated students who wish to pursue a career in theatre, opera, film production or related fields. Stage Properties involves the management, acquisition and creation of items used practically or decoratively onstage: furniture, draperies, weaponry, puppets, fake food and much more.

A Properties Master’s bag of skills might include carpentry, leatherwork, puppetry, mold-making, welding, electronics and digital imaging, to name just a few. Graduate and undergraduate specialists from CCM’s Stage Properties program have produced props for film, opera, television, Cirque du Soleil and Broadway.