Principles of Design
MIT OpenCourseWare offers this advanced theater design course focused on script analysis and design theory from a designer's perspective. Students study a script, then translate their interpretation into concrete design choices for a stage production, working through historical research, rendering, and presentation techniques. Class sessions include direct interaction with student and faculty directors and other production staff, mirroring the collaborative process of an actual theater production. The course builds on foundational design coursework and pushes students toward developing a personal design vision rather than following formulas. Materials are drawn from MIT's Music and Theater Arts program and include assignments tied to real productions. As with other MIT OCW offerings, all course materials are free to access online, with no certificate offered.