The Theatre Design Institute is an outreach program of George Fox University that equips secondary educators in the areas of design and technical theatre, inspires them to turn their production ideas into reality, and helps them build stronger arts education programs.
2024 Workshops
Dynamic Set Construction
Unleash your stage designs and move beyond basic set building in this hands-on exploration of useful and accessible scenic innovations. From centuries old techniques like Kabuki drops and raked stages to newer innovations like solenoid pins and pneumatic lift casters, we will explore a variety of intermediate and advanced scenic tricks and construction techniques.
Are you curious about the many ways to build trees and rocks? Want to learn the intricacies of loading in a revolve or using a knife to keep a wagon on track? Have you ever wanted to build periaktoi or rig a roll drop? This is your chance!
No prior experience necessary. Tailored for educators, this course skips the basics of construction but provides comprehensive guidance for hands-on projects, with special attention paid to tool and equipment safety.
July 8-11, 2024 | Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
George Fox University | Newberg Campus
Cost: $695 early registration by June 1 ($795 after June 1)
(Optional: 2 or 3 continuing education credits available for additional fee)
Register for the Dynamic Set Construction Workshop
Sound for Live Performance
Tailored for educators, this hands-on interactive course will explore the ins and outs of sound equipment and how to make your show resonate with clarity. Through a series of hands-on sessions, participants will learn to identify and use both analog and digital audio equipment. Time will be spent on troubleshooting sound systems, recording and editing, programming playback with QLab, dressing wireless microphones, and mixing live voices.
Do you want to feel more confident setting up an audio system? Are you ready to know what all those knobs do on your mixer? Have you switched to a digital mixer and want to uncover its mysteries? This workshop is for you!
No prior experience necessary. Participants are encouraged to bring their school’s mixer so they can learn the ins and outs of setting up, EQ adjustment, and live mixing on their own console.
July 15-18, 2024 | Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
George Fox University | Newberg Campus
Cost: $695 early registration by June 1 ($795 after June 1)
(Optional: 2 or 3 continuing education credits available for additional fee)
Partnerships
The institute partners with the George Fox University School of Education to provide participants with their choice of either continuing education credits or professional development units.
Past Workshops
Stagecraft, July 31-Aug 3, 2023
Lighting, July 24-27, 2023
Prop Building, June 27-30, 2022
Projection Design, June 20-23, 2022
Scenic Art, Aug. 2-5, 2021
Vectorworks for Theatre, July 8-12, 2019
QLab Show Control: Sound, Projections and Lights, July 22-26, 2019
Sound Design, June 25-19, 2018
CAD, June 26-30, 2017
Costume Design, June 27-30, 2016
Instructor
Bryan Boyd is a professional designer and theatre professor at George Fox where he runs the design and technical theatre program. He has designed scenery, projections, and lighting for professional theatres in Portland and Seattle, including Broadway Rose Theatre Company, Artists Repertory Theatre, Sound Theatre Company, Seattle Musical Theatre, and Northwest Children’s Theater. Bryan received the Set Design of the Decade Award in the 2020 Broadway World Portland Awards (Mamma Mia! Broadway Rose Theatre Company), and was named a 2006 Celebrated Teaching Artist by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
James Farmer
Sunset High School
As a theatre teacher with an acting/directing background looking to beef up my technical chops, this institute provided the exact professional development opportunity that I’ve been looking for. I was very impressed with the facility and the level of instruction. I will definitely participate in any and all future courses.