Students experience a heightened level of communication and organization in the production environment, focusing on resource allocation and time management, as they are assigned shop management positions and closely mentored by faculty. The concentration is on process , commitment to the success of the production, and love of the craft and theatre. Productions are geared toward adaption, non-traditional and found materials, and satisfying artistic needs within a lesser budget. Students in the prop shop will focus on creative problem solving and sharpening their developing properties production skills. Emphasis is placed on communication skills, organization, accountability for time and budget, and management of shop spaces and personnel.
Classes emphasize actual production work for the stage.
The class schedule for third-years allows more time for research, drafting, pricing, shopping, and production preparation to move the student into the management position. The scenery production class focuses on engineering and advanced rigging, areas that often impact the prop world. Scenic painting class covers the fundamentals of scenic artistry techniques, surface preparation, and faux applications, all easily applicable to the properties finishing world. Computer drafting continues and lighting, scenery and sound classes move to a design focus. These design classes develop the technicians awareness of the design process and fine-tune the creative eye .