Entertainment Engineering

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Do you want to work in the fastest-growing design area in entertainment: automation? This includes studies in hydraulics, pneumatics, rigging, motor and winch design, and structural design for theatrical productions. Do you have both a scientific mind and a creative heart? This degree prepares you to seek work in film, TV, theatre, theme parks, concert venues, touring shows, cruise ships, and unique entertainment experiences like Cirque du Soleil. Our new Entertainment Engineering Major is the first and only such program in the country that is solely for undergraduates, while still being based in Engineering!

Experiential Learning

Through hands-on practical training you engage with cutting edge technology in our production season and academic classes. You will collaborate with faculty, students, and guest artists on design and integration of automation into our production seasons. Additionally, there will be opportunities to apply automation in class projects and learning experiences.

Program Details

Any Engineering Degree plus the following:

Required Courses

THE 131: Theatre Appreciation (3 hrs.)
THE 125: Stagecraft (3 hrs.)
THE 226: Fundamentals of Design (3 hrs.)
THE 310: Professional Seminar in Production – (3 hrs.)
THE 484: Las Vegas Excursion (3. hrs.)
THE 107: Theatre Practicum (1 hr.)
THE 108: Theatre Practicum (1 hr.)
THE 207: Theatre Practicum (1 hr.)
THE 409: Theatre Engineering Practicum (3 hrs.)
THE 410: Senior Capstone (3 hrs.)
Any Elective from the list below:
THE 225: Advanced Stagecraft (3 hrs.)
THE 325: Theatre Properties Design and Construction (3 hrs.)
THE 229: Computer Aided Design for the Theatre (3 hrs.)
THE 318: Stage Management (3 hrs.)

Total Hours: 27

Career Opportunities

This degree prepares you for job opportunities across multiple disciplines such as film, television, theatre, theme parks, concert venues, touring shows, cruise ships, and distinctive entertainment experiences like Cirque du Soleil. Plus, it provides a pathway to a career in designing automation systems, animatronics, and special effects. You will also get a solid foundation for further education or immediate employment opportunities, such as an internship with Cirque du Soleil.

Minors

Get involved in theatre, even if you’ve chosen another academic path! This minor will keep you engaged in all department productions as an actor, technician, crew member, or any number of other roles.

In addition, you will work closely with a theatre advisor. The minor is often paired with majors in communication, television arts, engineering, education, psychology, and other humanities programs.

This minor includes courses in acting, piano, music theory, and ear training/sight singing. You’ll be involved in theatre arts productions through our practicum program, and you’ll work closely with a theatre arts advisor, to keep you on track.

This minor pairs well with majors in music, theatre arts, communication, TV arts, creative writing, and other majors within the fine arts or the liberal arts and sciences.