Charged with creating the visual and aural environment of the stage production, the theatre designer's work is often the first and last image seen by the audience. Using physical architecture or fabric, scenic and costume designers invoke the character's story through tangible objects. Lighting designers illuminate those shapes with color, texture and even darkness while the sound designer enhances the atmosphere of the scene. Each designer works in collaboration to support the story of the play and humanize the audience's experience in the theatre. <br><br>Within the design program at UWinnipeg, students analyze scripts, gather research and initiate discussions with other members of the production staff. They conceptualize ideas by sketching, rendering and developing 3D scaled models, and they showcase their interpretations of the text. To implement these ideas, our students shape their ideas into working drawings, costume renderings, and lighting and sound plots to communicate specific ideas to the builders and technicians. With faculty and staff who continually work in the Winnipeg theatre community, students obtain professional instruction and mentorship within a safe learning setting.<br><br>To further heighten their experience, we provide a hands-on design practicum to showcase the students' work. The role of the designer for department productions is performed by those students who have successfully completed the design courses. Senior design students also have access to our unique apprentice courses offered in association with professional and amateur theatres in Manitoba. As our partners, these companies help us give our students real life experience through working on one of their productions while at the same time earning academic credit.