Entertainment Design & Production

Type of Offering

Major Minor

College

Arts & Sciences School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Our unique program focuses on theatrical design, production and stage management – in the U.S. and internationally. You’ll graduate with a solid knowledge of the cultural and practical differences in theatre production, which will prepare you for a wide range of careers in theatre, opera and touring productions.

We may be small, but our opportunities are big. In fact, our theatre program rivals what you’d find at a conservatory. Our international theatre production students stage dozens of campus and community productions. They interact with renowned designers, directors, playwrights and choreographers from the U.S. and countries like Scotland, Estonia, Ireland, Mexico and England. They travel each year to the United States Institute of Theatre Technology conference so our students can make contacts with employers and companies from all over the United States. They land incredible internships with theatre companies, and they study abroad.

Here, you’ll be part of a family. You’ll enjoy small class sizes and amazing friendships. Our distinguished professors will bring out the best in you from the moment you arrive on campus until you graduate. They will become personally invested in your success.

On campus, you’ll study and work in top-notch facilities with the latest equipment. The Freed Center for the Performing Arts includes a 550-seat proscenium theatre, a 132-seat studio theatre, rehearsal rooms, scenic and costume shops, smart classrooms, computer lab and design studio.��

The entertainment design and production minor program is open to students from all majors. It’s designed for students who are interested in the technical aspects of backstage operations of the theatre –��the intersection of technology and theatre. You’ll gain aesthetic, theoretical, experiential and creative knowledge of various aspects of theatre as well as considerable practical experience. The program requires 20 credit hours of courses on topics such as stagecraft, lighting and sound design, costume design, stage management and technical direction.��

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ENTERTAINMENT DESIGN AND PRODUCTION COURSES, CURRICULUM & PROGRAM RESOURCES

The flexibility of our program means you can double major or add a minor to expand your career options. Take courses in Advanced Stagecraft; Technical Direction; Costume Design; Lighting Design; Stage Combat; Scenic Design and Make-up.

Audition & Talent Awards

Although we don’t require an audition for the international theatre production major, you may audition if you want to be considered for talent awards.

Space to grow your talent

Very few small universities can rival our impressive performance venues. They combine beauty, function and technical capabilities, giving you a well-rounded experience.

Grow your talents on stage - india fullbright

An international internship or study abroad is required of international theatre production majors. We provide one-on-one support to help you find an awesome experience. Our professors have extensive connections with theatres and universities in many different countries. If we don’t have an existing connection where you want to travel, we’ll forge one just for you. We truly go above and beyond to find you a study abroad opportunity that matches your interest. Our students have studied or interned in Scotland, Australia, France, South Africa, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Finland and more.
We partner with the University of Salford located in Manchester, England, the country’s second largest city and home to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). You could spend a semester studying at the University of Salford; collaborate with Salford students on artistic productions; intern at the BBC; or participate in workshops and seminars at ONU given by visiting Salford professors. We also partner with Rakvere Theatre, a professional repertoire theatre located in a small town in northeastern Estonia. Established in 1940, the Rakvere Theatre has an ensemble of 18 actors and is known for both classical and avant-garde productions. Estonia is bordered by the countries of Finland, Sweden and Latvia. Opportunities include providing technical support for Rakvere Theatre production in Canada, learning from Estonia directors, actors and technical crew who provide master classes at ONU; and interning at Rakvere.
Help produce, direct, translate and star in an international play on campus. Taking place every other year, the International Play Festival has featured works from Germany, Cuba, Canada, Japan, the Native American tradition and more. We either commission a new work by an international playwright or create the first English-language translation of an existing work. Professional international theatre artists visit campus and work directly with students on the production, teaching them about their country’s history, culture, people and traditions as they connect to the world of theatre.
Fearless Shenanygans is about having fun and the freedom to create. The improv group rehearses once a week and produces one show a month on campus. Every year, one or two guest improv artists come to campus to interact with the group. Join Fearless Shenanygans and you’ll learn to use tools and games to hone your improv skills. You’ll also develop skills that are useful in any profession – including creativity, listening skills and the ability to think on your feet. And most importantly, you’ll forge new friendships while having a blast!
From Toledo to Chicago, New York City to Manchester, England, embark on trips and tours to expand your understanding of the arts. You’ll have a chance to attend national conferences in major U.S. cities for the United States Institute of Theatre Technology.
If you achieve a high level of quality in theatre study and production, you’ll be invited to join our Ohio Epsilon Chapter of Theta Alpha Phi, the oldest nationwide educational theatre honor society in the world. Theta Alpha Phi is dedicated to making theatre a fulfilling experience for all students. Past activities of our campus chapter have included a performance and silent auction to benefit the Broadway Cares, Equity Fights AIDS organization and the funding of a student trip to Chicago.

The faculty will move mountains so you can have the opportunity to achieve your dreams. I showed interest in rigging, and my professor, Brian Phillips, added a whole course because of my interest.

Haley Ward, international theatre production and musical theatre major

Encounter the theatre world’s most famed professionals

We bring renowned professionals to campus for workshops and master classes, including ZFX (flying workshop); Chicago Fly House (fall arrest and aerial lift training); Great Lake Sound (digital soundboards) and Sapsis Rigging (rigging).

Dive In and Do It

Get hands-on experience working behind the scenes to produce dozens of shows starting your first year on campus!

Photo of Students work on crafting costumes for a project

Theater Production Student working backstage ropes

Theater Production Student mixing up a compound

Tony Award winning actor Gavin Creel works with ��ɫ��TV University Department of Theatre students during a master class.

A master class with Gavin Creel

Tony Award-winning actor Gavin Creel taught a master class at ��ɫ��TV University to students in the theatre program. Creel has been acting on the stage and screen for more than 20 years and has starred in Broadway productions such as Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hair, The Book of Mormon and Hello Dolly! Most recently, he performed opposite Sara Bareilles in the Broadway production of Waitress.

End game: a fulfilling entertainment design and production career

Our alumni are finding success in the U.S. theatre world, overseas and in the areas of opera and touring production. Check out where some of our alumni have landed:

Careers in Entertainment Design and Production:
- Designer
- Stage manager
- Event planner
- Exhibit artist
- Theatre manager
- Scenic artist
- Company manager
- Rigger
- Props manager
- Wardrobe manager
- Concert technician

Take the first step toward living the Polar Bear life

We would love to meet you and show you around!
Your health, safety and future are in good hands at Northern. We offer a host of services to keep you informed and meet your needs while you are on campus.

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