Students can now get a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a concentration in theatre design, and Taylor Sinclair is on the road to being the first to graduate in this program.

The theater director and professor of theatre design Steven Schepker is passionate about this program and what it entails.

“When I was a little kid, I built forts, and now I just build really big forts,” said Schepker. “It’s not just blankets and pillows in the living room anymore. I get to play pretend every day and not many people get to do that, but it’s what we do. Our job is to make this look easy and Taylor helps us accomplish that.”

Not many schools have a theatre design concentration. The university is the only school in the country with this degree option. Students have had the chance to take a theatre design class in the past, but now it is offered as a concentration. 

“The theatre design is a concentration of fine arts, so in reality it is very much a major,” said Sinclair. “It just focuses on designing from the perspective of a visual artist. It’s the first of its kind. We are the only school in the country with this degree as of right now so that’s pretty awesome.”

This concentration helps prepare students for professional jobs in the theatre industry. Students do not have to just focus on one thing with theatre design, they have different sub categories within the field such as costume design among some. Also, students who work on shows can enhance their future.

“This field teaches students to take on professional roles as an undergrad and prepare them for the real world of theatre,” said Sinclair. “However, the field is not only for theatre. The different sections such as: scenic, costume, makeup, et cetera, are also able to fit into the film industry. The fact that we get to work on these shows also allow us to add these shows to our résumé for when we enter either industry.”

The hands on work is beneficial to Sinclair and his classmates. Being a part of theatre design is helpful to students because they make connections and gain experience in the career they want to pursue.

“The degree is helping me out tremendously because I have dreams of moving to Los Angeles after graduation to pursue a career in film,” said Sinclair. “Whether it is in acting or as a prop maker, the degree opens up the opportunity for me to work as a prop maker or props assistant on film sets, which could lead up to a career as a props master eventually. Working on this type of degree also allows you to work with and meet many different people and form many connections that could lead to many job opportunities elsewhere in the industry.”

For more information about theatre design and when the upcoming show is contact Steven Schepker through the theatre department.