Design Innovation Summer Institute: Scenic
A unique opportunity to examine the process of scenic design through script and drawing
Program Overview
The Design Summer Institute in Scenic Design is a two-week, UC credit-bearing intensive for students interested in scenic design for theater, film, and television. This program provides opportunities to work with our distinguished faculty in classes such as Introduction to Scenic Design and Scale Drafting, Production Design for Theater, Film and Television, and Storyboarding. Students will learn the design process for scenic design for theater and be introduced to production design. The combination of these courses will allow students to use the training to discover how we can tell stories through visual research, sketches, and model design.
Students will learn the technical components of breaking down a script and the art of collaboration with directors while gaining hands-on experience such as model-building, perspective drawing, and scale measurement as a means of realizing a design. Beyond the classroom, students will attend guest workshops that will cover portfolio and career preparation.
The program is designed for artists and students who seek additional discipline and training required for participation in a university theater program or a career in the entertainment industry. Participation in this institute is open to pre-college students.
*Please note that all levels are encouraged to apply and English language comprehension and proficiency is required for successful completion of this institute.
On-Campus (Commuter)
As a commuter, housing contracts are not available through UCLA Housing Department, however, the UCLA Summer Hostel that is located on the residence hill provides housing options for all registered UCLA Summer Sessions students who are 18 years of age or older. For those who will not securing housing on campus, it is expected that students who fall into this category will commute to class daily.
Grades and Transcripts
Program participants will earn units of credit on a letter-grading basis and will be recorded on an official University of California transcript. Please note that official transcripts are not automatically sent to students. To request a transcript, please contact the UCLA Registrar’s Office.
Coursework
Theater 72; 3 units
Requirements
Admission to the program is by digital audition and instructor consent. Applicants who successfully submit all requirements will be reviewed and notified via email of an admission decision within 3 weeks.
Please note that all levels are encouraged to apply. Early application is strongly encouraged.
Applicants are required to provide the following during the online registration process:
In 400 words, how do you describe your passion for scenic design?
A resume (if you do not have a resume, submit a brief description of your theatrical and/or artistic experience). The resume can be uploaded as a word or pdf file during the application process.
Program Eligibility
- 9th-12th grade
- Ages 15-19
Grading Basis
Students will receive a letter grade upon completion. See University Credit, Grades and Transcripts for more information about academic credit.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
UCLA Summer Sessions Summer Scholars Support
Qualified students attending grades 8th – 11th in the state of California may be eligible for Summer Scholars Support, a need- and merit-based scholarship offered by the UCLA Summer Sessions Office. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available to support enrollment in SCIP/eSCIP, one Summer Course, or a Precollege Summer Institute.
Important Dates and Deadlines
June 1, 2025
Application deadline
June 15, 2025
Enrollment Deadline
Sessions
June 30 – July 11, 2025