We teach students traditional methods, but also encourage spontaneity, free of preconceptions. Students' talent and design work are showcased at a number of venues that have directly resulted in many national grants, awards, and other work opportunities for our alumni. This is followed in subsequent years by more specialized Advanced Design classes which combine with production work in the student's own area of concentration. In addition, students are encouraged to take advantage of the rich offerings available in the visual arts to supplement their design coursework. We offer a generous number of fully executed production opportunities, and generally all UCSD Theatre and Dance productions are designed by students.
Designers collaborate with student, faculty, and internationally prominent guest directors.
Students are fully supported by the same professional workshop staff as the La Jolla Playhouse, and are not expected to build or run their own productions. USCD and the Tony Award winning La Jolla Playhouse share the same three-theatre complex. Student designers participate in a residency program at the Playhouse, and normally work as assistants to visiting professional designers. However, there are also some opportunities for talented students to be hired as principal designers by the Playhouse during their season. In recent years, design students have worked with John Arnone, Anne Bogart, Howell Binkley, Doug Stein, Susan Hilferty, Peter Maradudin, Susan Denison-Geller, Robert Falls, Robert Woodruff, Des McAnuff, James Ingalls, Michael Greif, George Tsypin, Robert Brill, Mark Lamos, Mark Wendland, Allison Reeds, Ken Posner, Dennis Parichy, Alan Moyer, and Peter Sellars.