Technical Direction

The Technical Direction program includes class offerings in technology and management, theatrical production opportunities, event management opportunities, and training in industry-standard skills and software. The first year focuses on building an understanding of the core concepts of technical management. We break down the production process and provide students with the project management skills necessary to be successful in their careers at SDSU and beyond. Year two further explores these concepts while developing a greater understanding of the systems that make theatre happen. The final year is spent developing mastery through professional intern - ships and independent research in a particular area of interest. Beginning in year one, and throughout their course of study, technical direction students have ample opportunity to fully manage the scenic production for shows ranging in scale from intimate studio productions to full- scale, multi-set musicals. Other technical direction opportunities include coordinating our 250-person concert musicals and School of Music and Dance operas. Students may also work on film projects and have the opportunity to work with other graduate students in the film department.

Current Curriculum: Some of the classes taken by our technical direction students include: Technical Direction (Project and Personnel Management, Budgeting), Advanced Theatre Technologies (Automation, Rigging), Collaborative Studies (Static & Dynamic Loads, Structural Design, Mechanical & Machine Design, Fluid Power Systems, Special Effects), Theatrical Engineering, Metalwork, Welding (gas, arc, MIG, TIG), CNC programming, Woodworking, AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Hand Drafting, 3D Printing and 3D scanning, Lighting and Sound Technology, Period Dress and Décor, Scene Painting, Photoshop, The Business of Theatre, TV and Film, and more.