Design & Technology is where creativity, technology, and collaboration come together to bring performances to life. At UConn, students explore how design, technology, production, and craftsmanship support storytelling and create engaging experiences for audiences.
The Design & Technology area serves both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in theatre and related creative industries. Through academic coursework, studio practice, research, and hands-on production experiences, students develop the artistic, technical, analytical, and leadership skills needed to realize creative ideas from concept through execution. From their first year, students apply classroom concepts in production environments, building practical experience alongside technical and artistic skills.
Experiential Learning
Students work alongside faculty, staff, undergraduate students, and graduate students in a collaborative learning environment that encourages curiosity, innovation, problem-solving, and professional growth. Opportunities for mentorship and collaboration across different levels of training allow students to learn from a diverse community of artists and practitioners.
Whether designing visual worlds, developing technical solutions, managing complex production processes, or creating engaging audience experiences, students learn to balance artistic vision with practical implementation.
Faculty Mentorship and Professional Connections
Faculty and staff bring a wide range of professional and academic experience to the classroom, studio, and production environment. Many are active working professionals whose experience includes Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional theatre, opera, film, television, and other creative industries.
Their ongoing professional engagement allows them to bring current industry perspectives, professional practices, guest artists, and valuable networks directly into the student experience. Through critiques, reviews, production assignments, individualized feedback, and portfolio development, students gain the skills, connections, and confidence needed to pursue their artistic and professional goals.
Showcase Your Work
Each year, Design & Technology students participate in the Portfolio Review Gallery Exhibition, showcasing their creative and technical work to faculty, peers, and industry professionals while documenting their growth as artists and practitioners. Similar to a professional portfolio review or career fair, the exhibition provides opportunities for students to share their work, receive feedback, and expand their professional networks. The program actively encourages participation from theatre companies, arts organizations, and creative industry professionals throughout the region, helping students engage with the broader professional community as they prepare for careers in the field.
A Creative Hub in the Northeast
Located in the heart of the Northeast, UConn offers students access to a rich network of professional theatres, arts organizations, and creative industries throughout Connecticut, Boston, New York City, and beyond.
These connections create opportunities for professional development, networking, internships, research, and engagement with a broad range of artistic practices and career paths.
Career Pathways
Graduates of UConn's Design & Technology programs pursue careers across theatre, live entertainment, themed experiences, events, film, television, production management, education, and other creative industries. Others continue their training through advanced graduate study, professional apprenticeships, and specialized artistic and technical opportunities.
Explore our BFA and MFA program pages to learn more about areas of study, student experiences, and opportunities within Design & Technology at UConn.