Free Theatre Design Courses
Individuals interested in learning theatre design can find a number of free, undergraduate courses online through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Classes range from creating special effects for the stage to understanding how scripts play a role in design.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Several theatre design classes are available for study on MIT's OpenCourseWare. Courses that involve set design teach students about techniques and tools used in theatrical production, how to create special effects for the theater, design theater lighting and create miniature sets for operas and plays. Students who have some knowledge of theatrical design but want to learn more about designing costumes and clothing psychology can take a costume design course. Also offered is a course that presents advanced theories in design and introduces students to textual analysis, script analysis, historical research and rendering.
- Beginning Costume Design and Construction
- Principles of Design
- Technical Design: Scenery, Mechanisms and Special Effects
- Design for the Theater: Scenery
- Introduction to Stagecraft
- Lighting Design for the Theater
Free Online Theatre Design Courses at a Glance
| Course & School | Program Level | Format | Assignments | Quizzes & Exams | Downloadable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning Costume Design and Construction course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Undergraduate | Text | Yes | No | Yes |
| Principles of Design course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Undergraduate | Text | Yes | No | Yes |
| Technical Design: Scenery, Mechanisms and Special Effects course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Undergraduate | Text | Yes | No | Yes |
| Design for the Theater: Scenery course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Undergraduate | Text | Yes | No | Yes |
| Introduction to Stagecraft course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Undergraduate | Text | Yes | No | Yes |
| Lighting Design for the Theater course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Undergraduate | Text | Yes | No | Yes |
