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Theater

Your guide to theater research at UCLA: Find articles, books, and more.

Welcome!

This guide was created as a point of departure for students, researchers and practitioners of scenic design. While exploring this guide keep in mind that your topic might fall under more than one of these categories. 

The Scenic Design page was curated in 2023 by UCLA Library Student Research Assistant, Marie Fucile.

From Sketch to Model to Build: An Introduction to Scenic Design

Working In The Theatre: Scenic Design

American Theatre Wing’s Working in the Theatre documentary series features the most fascinating people on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. Follow the journey of Tony and Obie Award Winner Beowulf Boritt and Obie and Hewes Design Award winner Mimi Lien as they explore the process of a Scenic Designer. Find out how they got started, what it takes to work in this profession, and how the scenic design is informed through collaboration with many other key members of the theater. Published on the ATW YouTube page on August 15, 2015. 

Building Broadway: SHE LOVES ME Set Designer David Rockwell

Designer David Rockwell shares the inspiration, intricate construction and amazing detail of the SHE LOVES ME set. Published on Broadway.com Youtube Channel on May 13, 2016.

Abstract: The Art of Design | Es Devlin: Stage Design | FULL EPISODE | Netflix

Step inside the minds of the most innovative designers in a variety of disciplines and learn how design impacts every aspect of life. In this episode: Stage designer Es Devlin crafts evocative sets for concerts, operas, plays and runway shows using light, film, sculpture -- and even rain. Published on the Netflix Youtube on April 17th, 2020. 

Online Resources

UCLA does not provide subscriptions for these software programs, however, there are educational licenses available for students. Please visit the respective websites for more information. 

Below are the industry standard software programs for set design:

Selected Books

Projection design is recognized as its own field of design, as an emerging design practice at the cross section of motion graphics, digital art, lighting, and technology. Projection is often incorporated into elements of scenic design, so we have chosen to include resources below.

Finding Scenic Design Research & Images

If you're looking for inspiration, physically browsing the stacks might be the way to go. Take a look in the following call number sections for books with images pertinent to lighting design — and make sure you check the oversize and double oversize sections as well!
 N: Visual Arts (General)
NA: Architecture
NB: Sculpture
NC: Drawing, Design, Illustration
ND: Painting
NE: Print Media (Woodcut, Engraving, Silkscreen, etc.)
NK: Decorative Arts, Interior Design
PN: Performing Arts
TR: Photography
TH: Building Construction
TT: Crafts

A Note on Subject Headings

When searching catalogues and databases, knowing the "correct" terminology can make all the difference. Try using these subject headings in UC Library Search:

  • Scenic Design
  • Set Designers
  • Set Design and Props
  • Theatre & Performance Studies
  • Theatre Stage Design
  • Theaters — Stage-setting and scenery
  • Theaters — Design and Construction
  • Theaters — Design and Plans
  • Theaters — Stage-setting and scenery — Handbooks, manuals, etc. 
  • Scenic Art and Painting
  • Scene Painters
  • Stage props — Design and construction
  • Technical Direction
  • Performing Arts — Theater — Stagecraft & Scenography
  • Projected Scenery
  • Projection Design
  • Drawing, Rendering and Drafting