Theatre and Performance Design

BA Theatre and Performance Design focuses on set and costume design for live performance. You'll also learn about sound, lighting and video projection design to help you develop your own areas of interest.

This course mixes practical training with theory, experimentation and critical thinking. You'll learn about the core themes and concepts of live performances, including text, character, dramatic space and the role of the designer within the creative team.

Using drawing as a core process, this course will help you make considered design decisions and prepare you for a career in live performance.

What to expect
• An ethical focus: We have a responsibility to contribute towards a better and more sustainable world. Throughout your course, you will explore climate, social and racial justice and learn how to embed these principles into your creative practice.
• Expert staff: Learn from a team of practicing theatre and performance designers.
• Practical workshops: Develop your knowledge and skills in computer aided design (CAD), fabric dyeing, costume construction, lighting and sound, precision model-making and recorded digital arts for live performance.
• New ideas: Access a programme of creative research to build your understanding of film, television and the arts.
• Sustainability: Learn about and practice the course key themes of sustainability and decolonisation in relation to the discipline. as well as making and materiality and their relation to theatre and performance design.
• Networking opportunities: Grow a strong network of theatre-makers through collaborative live projects with emerging and established choreographers and directors.
• Creative facilities: Use of Wimbledon's shared workshops.

Industry experience and opportunities
You'll gain production experience working and learning alongside our professional practitioners and taking part in specialist work placements with companies and individuals.

You'll design sets and costume for many types of performances such as dance, plays, opera, site-specific theatre and new writing projects so you can build a strong portfolio. You'll also have the option to study abroad in your second year as part of our international exchange scheme.

About Wimbledon College of Arts

Wimbledon College of Arts is dedicated to the study of stage and screen performance. The College has a long tradition of providing world class teaching in technical arts for theatre, film and television. Our courses include acting, costume, digital production, theatre design and puppetry. Wimbledon College of Arts has well established industry links. These include 2 of the United Kingdom's leading theatres: the National and the Lyric.

We believe in a non-hierarchical and inclusive approach to performance. That means we see all elements as equal partners. Whether it be acting, directing, writing or designing.

Collaborative performance is a key part of the experience at Wimbledon. We design many of our course projects with that in mind. Students often work in teams to produce theatre, performance and other live events. This reflects working practices within the industry.

Our facilities include specialist workshops, studios and an on-site professional theatre. In 2023 we completed a multimillion-pound investment programme to transform Wimbledon College of Arts into a world-leading centre for performance. These improvements will enable us to nurture performance talent of the future.

We want to develop your creativity, technical ability and professionalism. It is these qualities that enable many of our graduates to go on to have successful careers. Our alumni include costume designer Lorna Mugan, production designer Sarah Greenwood and set designers Simon Costin and Soutra Gilmour.